Origin:	Cairo, Egypt
Genres:	Death Metal

Page online:	May 1, 2016
Last update/review:	May 1, 2016

Scarab

For years, Nile has set the benchmark for quality Egyptian-inspired death metal, so when a band called Scarab emerges, with an album entitled Serpents Of the Nile, naturally the assumption is that this is a Nile-influenced band. But then comes the catch -- Scarab are actually from Egypt! And then the kicker -- Scarab is hardly a novelty act from a traditionally non-metal country, but a serious death metal contender. And they aren't newcomers either, having played together since 2001, first under the name Hate Suffocation before switching to Scarab prior to their debut EP in 2007. Serpents is an accomplished, brutal, technical death metal album, mostly mid-paced, with crunchy riffs and plenty of twists to keep things going, with a stellar production to boot. And, of course, there are Middle Eastern influences, to these ears more subtlely and also more seemlessly melded in than Nile does. This is a band to watch out for.

Current Members

Sammy Sayed

vocals

Al-Sharif Marzeban

guitars

Tarek Amr

guitars

Mohamed El Sherbieny

bass

Sherif Elias

keyboards

Hatem El Akkad

drums

Discography

Valley Of The Sandwalkers EP
2007

Valley of the Sandwalkers
Leaders of Agony
Wrapped in Disfigurement

Sammy Sayed
Al-Sharif Marzeban
Tarek Amr
Mohamed El Sherbieny
Hatem El Akkad

Blinding The Masses
2009

Into the Dunes
Valley of the Sandwalkers
Ankh
Leaders of Agony
Blinding the Masses
Eye for Sanity
Devourer of the Unjustified
War to End
Wrapped in Disfigurement

Sammy Sayed
Al-Sharif Marzeban
Tarek Amr
Mohamed El Sherbieny
Hatem El Akkad

Serpents Of The Nile
2015 ViciSolum

Calling Forth the Ancient Spirits of Kemet
Visions of a Blood River
Spells of Coming Forth by Day
Serpents of the Nile
Pyramid of Illusions
Funeral Pharaoh
The Afterlife Illusions
Days of a Burial Mask

Sammy Sayed
Al-Sharif Marzeban
Tarek Amr
Mohamed El Sherbieny
Sherif Elias
Hatem El Akkad

Metal Observer review