Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: SCARAB; hailing from Egytian grounds, performing Death Metal, on their 3rd full-length album entitled: "Martyrs Of The Storm" (released 6th of March, 2020).

Sprouting from the band HATESUFFOCATION since formation in 2006; the quintet in question have 3 albums ("Blinding The Masses", released in August of 2009. "Serpents Of The Nile", released March 6th, 2015 and this here album that I will review entitled: "Martyers Of The Storm"); 1 EP ("Valley Of The Sandwalkers" released in 2007), 1 Demo ("Destruction" released in 2005) & 2 Singles ("Coffin Texts" released on November 15th, 2019, and "Bloodmoon Shadows" released on February 7th, 2020).

10 tracks ranging at around 51:37; SCARAB arrange an intricately designed formula of heavy-hitting Death Metal developments. "Martyrs of the Storm (feat. Joe Haley, known for his work in PSYCROPTIC); begins the record, opening up with an atmospherically deadly component of instrumental acoustics until transcending into an amplified bombardment of monstrously meaty hooks & boistrously gnarly crunchiness. Harnessing a barraged frenzy of riveting fretworks while salubriously amalgamating an ambient aura of OSDM (old school Death Metal) distortion, and a rocketing slab of modernized technicalities that implement a borderline foundation of punchy jumpiness with razor-sharp yet wildly rushing progression.

Consisting of Sammy Sayed on vocals/orchestation/programming; the frontman excels into a flamboyant fabrication of uniquely versatile vehemence, showcasing savagely sinister pipes of profusely robust throatiness - snarlling with deep, guttural growls & killer momentum. His lungs bark with rawly rough yells, primitive shrieks & reverberating raspiness that relentlessly roars with ruthless subtlety. "Necropotence" portrays volatile pandemonium that materializes tight maelstroms of shredding perseverence from duo guitarists Al Sharif Marzeban "Marz" & Tarek Amr "Tookie"; who rips with groovy executions, blistering firepower & hasty expertise. Slaying with organic substance, rapidly swift nimbleness & vibrantly potent snappiness. Tearing unexpected limbs, nailing them with vicious intents while manifesting meticulous ramifications & quirky mid-tempo virtuosity - quintessentially providing rampent subjugation with thunderous trailblazing mayhem. Chaotically chugging, frolicking & galloping with sonically seamless skill while shulpurously supplying rich styles of maliciously malevolent moods that impressively induce an outrè panache of striking melodies with mandatory dynamics - dextrous hymns & diligently detailed craftsmanship.

"Kingdom of Chaos" (feat. Karl Sanders known for his work in NILE) immediately recognizes the aforementioned band's trademark; making the most of Karl's signature riffs while elementing a dominating contrast of majestically mesmerizing creativity, consistently forging chunky hymns & harmonies embellish an experimental curve into an enriching embodiment that oozes oscillating whirlwinds of surging stability. Triggering a calamity of explosively combustible intriguements, increasing intensities & immersively compelling grit. "Blood Moon Shadows" lacerates an infectious injection of thumpy bass audibility from Ahmed Abdel Samad "Samadie"; who strums with speedy flickering, extreme hostility & lavishing with towering yet piledriving velocity. This spectrum is a force of reckoning oblivion, relishlingly tempered for all ears looking to get their head's simply blown off. Premising on strong songwriting musicianship that revolves around an ominium gatherum, generating an alchemical initiation of the great artistic landscape of Egyptian territories - the place of magic, mysticism & gnosis...the rivers of nihilistic mysteries of mass hysteria, foreboding dimensions & an orchestral entail of hybrid euphony.

"Circles of Verminejya" demonstrates a systematic shroud of monolithic triumphs, chiselling into a frantic strife that merges stylish patterns of mellifluous havoc & eerily daunting sublimity. Powerhouse drummer Amir El Saidi hammers & batters his set with steely & rambunctious precision; slamming with twin-pedal tapping, rumbling pounds that pummel with upbeat & ritualistic results. "Oblivious Sanctum (feat. Tarassenko Nikita; known for his work in the band THE CONTRADICTION, ABYSS, WATCHING ME & NO MISERY LEFT); revels with distinctively distinguished flair, fuelling an awe-inspiring amount of phenomenal magnificence that surprises you with rewarding remedies of BEHEMOTH & NILE mixed juxtapositions while SCARAB shine their own polished flow of fluidites brilliantly grabs your attention with these splendid overarchs in place. Tarassenko's possessing, morbidly entrenching guitar solos psychically butchers eardrums & your souls mightily.

"Dwellers Beneath" (feat. Amducias Baal known for his work in TEMPLE OF BAAL); integrates his own prodegiously wonderous variety of rhythmic tribulations, rampaging with storming synergies that layer infernally primal & bewitchingly enchanting guitars in which repel with maximum mobility. "Coffin Texts" (feat. Achraf Loudiy, known for his work in AETERNAM); contributes a vast yet royally satisfying vibe, with gratifying but blackened culminated dark licks in which thrill the listener into an impactfully grinding embellishment of upheaval & cosmic delights. "Saturnian" (feat. Paul Nazarkardeh; known for his work in DE PROFUNDIS & FORMICARIUS); establishes conceptually acroamatically alluring guitars, and aetherically haunting but clean licks enthrall a slick yet stellar performance that remarkably rollick with potentially talented skill.

Overall concluding "Martyrs Of The Storm" with the finale and epic banger: "Upon The Pagan Lands"; I enjoyed an entertaining discovery that these templars of Egyptian Death Metal most certainly exceeded my original expectations, this journey of adventurous and merciless metal was a fascinating listen. Another brilliant evolution of OSDM, and yet welcoming addition to the influences of the NILE spectrum who delivered a concretely fulfilling & enlightening dose of neck-breaking credibilities. A super-group every metal maniac should have a listen to; personally I attempted to replay it a good few times, and it was bloody worth it! Need I say more? I don't think so. Do SCARAB a favour, and check it out. You won't regret it!