EPK – Massive Scar Era – Assyad (2024) – Out October 25th
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“I dedicated years to studying Egyptian Zar traditions, songs, and rhythms, and I believe this EP represents a deeply rich and progressive musical experience. It’s a journey that I think will resonate with those who appreciate concept albums and are drawn to non-mainstream metal music. In the world of Zar, what you are curious about also becomes curious about you. Each song on this EP is inspired by a specific Zar spirit, and I’m eager to see how each listener connects with the EP, as I’m sure everyone will be drawn to different songs in their own unique way.
I’m incredibly proud of this collaboration that united Canadian and Egyptian musicians from completely different backgrounds who only spoke the language of music. A memorable moment was a five-minute improvisation between Simon on drums and Muhammed on the tabla. Despite the language barrier, the intensity of the metal drumming and the polyrhythmic Zar beats created a profound harmony. I instantly knew this collaboration would be a success. I cherished every moment with these musicians and am proud of Assyad. It was a unique experience, and I hope it resonates with audiences just as it did with us.” – Cherine Amr – Massive Scar Era
For fans of metal with folkloric cultural influences, Merfolk, Nawather, Zaeer, Ambrotype, Khalas
Band: Massive Scar Era
EP Title: Assyad
Release Date: August 23, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Facebook.com/massivescarera | Instagram.com/massivescarera |
Massivescarera.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
“Steeped in Metal, but bridging the gap to Egyptian music, Massive Scar Era is a Metal band you need to know about in 2023. The brainchild of visionary artist Cherine Amr, their new EP Metal Goes Egyptian, the seventh release in her career, is coming out in November. Not only does the band creative a ground-breaking mix of Metal and world music, Cherine had to flee her country where “the devil’s music” is forbidden to create, let alone defying gender norms that could lead to punishment, or worse. With its unique fusion of Prog Rock, post-Grunge, Egyptian music, and Heavy Metal, the group just released a new single “Between Waves!”” – Ghost Cult Magazine (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)
” When you’re a metal act, you either go big or you go home, and going big is what Massive Scar Era does extremely well. Today, the metal ensemble unveiled the video for their new single, “Oblivious,” off of their Metal Goes Egyptian EP. As an in-studio performance video, it’s simple but effective. It’s particularly effective due to the level of precision with which the band plays. Then you add in the orchestral elements, and you have essentially what amounts to a symphony. Beyond band founder and leader Cherine Amr, there are many minds and parties at play to bring this vision to life. Amr collaborates closely with musicians, producers, and video creators. Her goal is to combine heavy metal’s power with traditional Arabic music’s beauty and charisma. You’ll hear it all come together in perfect harmony upon Metal Goes Egyptian’s official release on November 3rd.” – V13 (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)
“As the title indicates, it’s metal with a middle eastern tone and style… mostly melodic death with clean and harsh vox.” – The Moshpit – WORT 89.9 FM (Madison, WI) (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)
“the Egyptian-Western music cocktail has an almost hypnotic effect” – PowerMetal.de (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)
“Through “Metal Goes Egypt”, their new EP, Canadian band Massive Scar Era invites open-minded heavy music fans to embark on a musical journey that transcends borders and creates a unique fusion of metal energy and the melodic beauty and cultural nuances of traditional Egyptian Arabic music.” – YoZone.fr (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)
Band: Massive Scar Era
EP Title: Assyad
Release Date: August 23, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Muluk al-Ardiyya | The Kings of the Earth – 4:54
2. Abdel Salam Lasmar – 3:17
3. Genie, Lambo – 3:17
4. Inner Dialogue – 3:33
5. El-Leil | The Night – 4:24
6. Pretend – 3:43
7. School Girls ft. Chaney Crabb (Entheos) – 3:26
EP Length: 26:38
EP Recording Credits:
Creative producer: Cherine Amr
Zār Leader, teacher, and consultant: Muhammed Abouzeid
Community Connector, Cultural Consultant, and overseas executive producer: Dr. Kawakb Tawfik
All songs and lyrics are written by Cherine Amr.
Any Arabic vocals heard on Assyad are folkloric Zār songs.
Percussion and Kawala arrangement and performance: Muhammed Abouzeid
Traditional Zār singer: Salem Atallah
Drum arrangement and performance: Simon McKay
Bass arrangement and performance: Frédérick Filiatrault
Vocal, Guitar, and back vocals arrangement and performance: Cherine Amr.
Death Growl: Chaney Crabb on Track 7. School Girls
Music Producer: Etienne Tremblay (La Machine à Mixer)
Recorded at Studio Mix Art in Montréal, Québec, by Nicholas Pétrowski and Etienne Tremblay.
Mixed and Master by Etienne Tremblay (La Machine à Mixer)
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About The EP Artwork:
I discovered Zeinab on Behance and was captivated by her unique, obscure art. Given her cultural background of being also from the Arabic-speaking region, I knew she would easily get the cultural nuances and mostly understand the Arabic lyrics on Assyad. I shared the EP and some jewelry related to Zar rituals with her. Although these elements aren’t directly reflected in the artwork, her inspiration is subtly evident. Zeinab truly grasped the essence of the project and created a vision for *Assyad* that fits perfectly.
About the EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
Zār is a possession cult that incorporates music and dance into its rituals, aiming to establish reconciliation between individuals and the spirits (Assyad) believed to inhabit their bodies, causing illness. The Assyad represents the projection of fears and anxieties, and the Zār ritual seeks to alleviate suffering, challenges, and conflicts faced by the individual. At the heart of the Zār ceremony, an ensemble guides the devotees through a trance dance, breaking down barriers to personal identity through rhythmic and melodic patterns deeply rooted in emotional and cultural contexts. This allows individuals in a trance to identify with the possessing spirits, providing a unique sensory experience.
The EP Assyad blends traditional Zār songs and rhythms with metal. Each track is inspired by a specific Zār spirit.
Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
1. Muluk al-Ardiyya | The Kings of the Earth | ملوك الأرضية (first song we worked on)
Muluk al-Ardiyya is a song for the spirits living on the mainland. They are among the oldest kind of invisible creatures whose agency is related to the forces and life on Earth.
2. Abdel Salam Lasmar | عبدالسلام الاسمر
Abdel Salam al-Asmar, a revered religious figure in Libyan Muslim history, lived from 1455 to 1575 CE. Began an ascetic (zahid) in Libya’s expansive desert, known for performing miraculous acts for the needy. Later in life, he became a mujahid (holy warrior), defending his city with fervour. Revered across North Africa, he features in traditions like Zār, Gnawa, and Stanbeli. His militant stance inspired many Sufi orders in anti-colonial and military resistance efforts.
3. Genie, Lambo | جني يالمبو
Spirit of the fire, Jinn Lambo is a spiteful creature and a servant of Sultan al-Nar, the fire sultan. The music retains strong African elements, maintaining a profound connection to Zār’s Eastern African roots. The ritual necessitates the presence of fire and lit candles during the trance dance.
4. Inner Dialogue
Inner Dialogue is inspired by the Zār song “Salila, the Master of the Water,” depicted as a mermaid symbolizing rebirth and abundance. Salila is a captivating yet proud female spirit, drawn to wealth and gold, but also capable of transformative generosity and support for humanity.
5. El-Leil | The Night | الليل
“The Night serves as an ode to the day and sun. The benevolent Asyad sing to the night, longing for its swift departure, as darkness is associated with malevolent spirits.
6. Pretend
Pretend draws its inspiration from the esteemed spirits of Mamma el-Sultan and Sa’det El-Bar. Mamma el-Sultan presides as the revered master over all Zār spirits, while Sa’det El-Bar command the domain of Al-Midan, the battlefield.
7. School Girls | بنات المدرسة ft. Chaney Crabb (Entheos)
“School Girls” represents a dialogue between the Mu’allima (teacher) spirit, brought to life by Chaney’s voice, and the outside world. The chorus is adapted from the traditional Zar song “Banat el Madrassa,” which reflects a significant era in Egyptian society and feminism. It highlights the pursuit of higher education by middle and upper-class women in the 1950s, symbolizing their aspirations and empowerment. The Mu’allima serves as both a guide within the female Zar realm and a social archetype.
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Story Angles – Band Fun Facts:
1. When I formed this band In 2004, in Alexandria, Egypt, it was established with an all-female lineup. The reason behind this choice was the restriction imposed by my family, which prohibited me from playing music with male musicians. While some perceived it as a feminist statement, I personally experienced it as one of the most oppressive situations I had ever encountered
2. In the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region, each country has its unique microtonal system. In the orchestra that recorded the Arabic Music, the members hailed from various backgrounds within the Arab-speaking region. However, despite their diverse origins, they all tuned in together and delivered an authentic Egyptian sound.
3. Traveling with my Egyptian passport has proven to be an extremely arduous task primarily due to the stringent visa procedures involved. In 2017, during the implementation of the Trump travel ban, MSE received an invitation to perform at SXSW. I personally had a physical appointment at the embassy, clearly stating the purpose of my travel, and providing the official SXSW invitation, I was granted the visa. However, upon reaching the borders, I faced an unexpected setback: I was denied entry, even though Egypt was not included in the travel ban list.
Massive Scar Era – Cherine Amr – Photo Credit by Big Rock Films
Massive Scar Era, the visionary Egyptian/Canadian metal project led by Cherine Amr, is thrilled to announce the release of their new single “School Girls | بنات المدرسة”. This track, featuring the dynamic vocals of Chaney Crabb from Entheos, is the lead single from their upcoming EP, “Assyad”, set to drop in October 2024. With “School Girls”, Massive Scar Era breaks genre boundaries again, blending progressive rock, post-grunge, Egyptian music, and metal into a captivating sound that resonates deeply with fans worldwide. Amr comments on the unique track:
“‘School Girls’ represents a dialogue between the Mu’allima (teacher) spirit, brought to life by Chaney’s voice, and the outside world. The chorus is adapted from the traditional Zar song “Banat el Madrassa,” reflecting a significant era in Egyptian society and feminism. It highlights the pursuit of higher education by middle and upper-class women in the 1950s, symbolizing their aspirations and empowerment. The Mu’allima serves as both a guide within the female Zar realm and a social archetype.”
Amr, the creative force behind Massive Scar Era, has dedicated years to studying Egyptian Zār traditions, weaving this deep cultural understanding into her music. Zār is a cult of possession in which ritual incorporates music and dance. Zar aims to establish a state of reconciliation between the individuals and the possessing spirits (Asyad) that inhabit their bodies and are believed to be the cause of illness.
For this EP, Amr received invaluable support from the community and cultural consultant, Dr. Kawkab Tawfik, who introduced her to Zar Abou El-Gheit, led by the master Zar musician, Muhammed AbouZeid. Muhammed invited Amr to attend one of their ceremonies held for a patient at his home in the village of Abou El-Gheit, a couple of hours outside Cairo, Egypt. They formed an immediate connection there, and Muhammed was instrumental in deepening Amr’s understanding of Zar songs.
Amr later invited Muhammed and his bandmate Salem to Montreal, where we engaged in daily songwriting workshops. Joining them were metal musicians Simon Mckay (the drummer of The Agonist) and Frédérick Filiatrault (bassist of Vvon Dogma I) for a month-long residency. Amr worked closely with Simon, recording the Zar songs played by Muhammed and Salem on a DR-70 Tascam. Amr would then take these recordings home to develop the songs further, sometimes sending Simon rough versions with unquantized drumlines or even without any drumlines. Simon would then rewrite the drumlines and occasionally assist with the guitar arrangements. The next day, they would reunite in the studio to share and refine their ideas. This process, which they repeated five days a week, was truly collaborative.
As Massive Scar Era continues to evolve, the release of the single “School Girls” marks a new chapter in the band’s journey, offering fans a glimpse into the rich, progressive musical experience that awaits in “Assyad”, which will be a concept record that blends Egyptian Zār songs with prog rock and metal.
“I believe this EP will be a journey that and I think it will resonate with those who appreciate concept albums and are drawn to non-mainstream metal music. In the world of Zar, what you are curious about also becomes curious about you. Each song on this EP is inspired by a specific Zar spirit, and I’m eager to see how each listener connects with the EP, as I’m sure everyone will be drawn to different songs in their own unique way.” adds Amr.
This single “School Girls” is a testament to Amr’s commitment to exploring and honoring these traditions while pushing the boundaries of modern metal music along with it being a bold statement, blending traditional Zār songs and rhythms with the raw power of metal into a unique and distinctive sound.
Recommended for fans of Merfolk, Nawather, and Zaeer.
More Info:
Massive Scar Era is the brainchild of the visionary artist Cherine Amr, who leads a collaborative journey with diverse musicians in every EP, bringing her unique vision to life. Originating from Alexandria, Egypt, and currently based in Montreal, QC, Massive Scar Era defies genre boundaries, weaving together a captivating tapestry of progressive rock, post-grunge, Egyptian music, and metal, resonating deeply with audiences across the globe.
Since its inception in 2004, Massive Scar Era has been at the forefront of musical innovation, pioneering a remarkable fusion of fierce vocals, intricate violin melodies, distorted guitars, and the pulsating rhythms of Egyptian percussion. Her music reflects the cosmopolitan allure of Alexandria intertwined with the raw essence of Cairo’s urban landscape. The project’s distinctive sound and cultural influences have garnered widespread recognition, leading to its inclusion in two highly influential documentaries that shed light on the vibrant music scenes across the SWANA region: “Microphone” (2012) and “Before the Spring After the Fall” (2013).
She has embarked on extensive tours throughout Europe and North America, gracing renowned stages and captivating audiences with her magnetic presence.
Discography:
Assayd (2024)
Metal Goes Egyptian (2023)
Color Blind (2018)
30 Years (2016)
Comes Around You (2012)
Precautionary Measures (2011) (physical only)
Unfamiliar Territory (2010) (physical only)
Reincarnation (2006) (physical only)
Music Placements – Microphone Movie 2012
Shared Stage with: Kreator, Dream Theatre, Dimmu Borgir, Septic Flesh, The Algorithm, Moonspell, Tyr
Tours and Festivals:
2019 – USA East Coast Tour
– USA West Coast Tour
– D-CAF Music Festival Cairo, Egypt
2018 – No Visa Required Cross Canadian Tour
2017 – Metalocalypstick (Lone Butte, BC)
2016 – Metalocalypstick (Valemount, BC)
2015 – SXSW (Austin, TX)
2014 – Total Metal Festival (Italy)
2014 – Inferno Metal Festival (Norway)
2013 – FreakStock Festival (Borgenstreich, Germany)
2013 – SXSW (Austin, TX)
2012 – Saxstock Festival (Germany)
2012 – Slot Art Festival (Poland)
2011 – Whiskey A Go Go (Los Angeles)
2011 – Metal Asylum, Dubai (UAE)
2011 – Cornerstone Festival, USA
2010 – Dubai Film Festival (UAE)
2010 – Cornerstone Festival (Marietta, IL)
2007 – SOS Music Festival (Egypt)
2008 – Sweden Rock Festival (Sweden)
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