MASSIVE SCAR ERA
MASSIVE SCAR ERA "Metal Goes Egyptian" EP
By Dr. Abner Mality
I've always been attracted to the musical stylings of the Middle East and India. And not just metal projects like MELECHESH and NILE that incorporate those sounds...I admire the pure music itself. When metal makes uses of these exotic scales, I'm automatically more interested in the result.
That brings us to MASSIVE SCAR ERA, which is really a lady of Egyptian extraction named Cherine Amr and whoever she chooses to play with her. "Metal Goes Egyptian" is the latest product of this prolific creator. Where exactly does this stand in the specialized world of Middle Eastern heavy metal?
It's kind of a mixed bag. I actually like the authentic Egyptian instruments and sounds more than the standard metal style here. If you subtract the Egyptian aspects from first track "Between Waves", we're left with a fairly bland metal track. But taking that out of the music would destroy what MASSIVE SCAR ERA is. In many ways, the project can be considered "diva metal" in the vein of WITHIN TEMPTATION and EVANESCENCE mixed with some more aggressive moments. Cherine's melodic vocals are pleasant enough and comparable with other female singers, but her harsh vocals are pretty generic and not inspiring.
The songs and the EP in general are short, which is an advantage. Best songs are the hard charging "Between Waves" and "Endorphins", which traditional Egyptian instruments like Marquam Rust and exotic musical scales really boost immeasurably. "Back To the Sun" and "Oblivious" both have their appealing moments as well, but "30 Years" and "Color Blind" suffer from some clunky vocal lines and awkward transitions.
"Metal Goes Egyptian" is an innocuous listen, but I don't think it shows the best of Ms. Amr's talent. Hopefully that's soon to come on a full length.