Metal mentality

Four of the Middle East's hottest metal and hard rock bands are hitting the stage at the Metal Asylum Festival — one night of all-out music madness at Rockwell Cafe in the Capitol Hotel.

Headlining the gig is Nervecell, who need no introduction, having just been signed to the German record label Lifeforce Records. Also lined up are the local bands Crow and Point of View, who are just kicking off their careers and already have a large UAE following. Jeddah-based Wasted Land, a melodic death metal band with folk influences who played at the Shamal battle of the bands alongside Nervecell, round out the groups.

Nervecell's lead guitarist Rami Mustafa and guitarist Barney Ribeiro tell tabloid! some of their best experiences and journey so far.

Barney Ribeiro:

"Nervecell started in the local scene playing tons of university gigs, and back in 2002 we had played with our first line-up in the university Rami and James studied at. They liked the band and we became friends and eventually members of the [same] band.

"So far, we have played in many exotic locations where a lot of bands hardly get to play like Egypt and Australia. Our first-ever European experience was at the 2007 Metalcamp Festival in Slovenia. It was really cool.

"Between 2004 and 2008 we worked on new material, which became [their latest album] Preaching Venom. Also bear in mind that James, Rami and I were in university, studying, so it was a real challenge trying to balance our schedules with the band — writing music and playing shows — while at the same time trying to get good grades."

Rami Mustafa:

"Some of the best experiences I've had have been playing at Wacken and With Full Force festivals. We also played at the Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals, which are known for being the most commercial rock festivals with more than 100,000 turnout. I still cannot believe that a death metal band like ourselves made it there!

"I really enjoyed our performance at Wacken, as people went crazy and enjoyed our set. So many people sang the songs with us, which amazed us. And of course the sound was huge.

"At With Full Force, we shared the stage with big names such as Sepultura, Hatebreed, Dimmu Borgir, Down, Carcass and others, so that was also very huge for us."

Nervecell band members:

Don't miss it

The Metal Asylum Festival takes place on Friday October 9 at Rockwell Cafe, Capitol Hotel, from 9pm. Tickets cost Dh100, and are available at Virgin Megastores, Club Submarine in the Dhow Palace Hotel and Timeout tickets.