Metal Asylum: Metal Asylum Volume 2

It is a great collection of metal tunes, dispelling the notion that the UAE is bereft of its own local live music scene.

Album cover for Metal Asylum's Metal Asylum Volume 2.

Metal Asylum
Metal Asylum Volume 2
(Metal Asylum)

Have you ever had a hankering to hear the latest metal tunes from Saudi Arabia? Or sample the latest metal-core or indie-pop sounds coming from the UAE? Then the second and latest Metal Asylum compilation is a must. The latest instalment is a hefty double-CD package of bands who graced the country's biggest and longest running Metal Night held in various Dubai venues. It's a great collection of tunes, dispelling the notion that the UAE is bereft of its own local live music scene. With one CD dedicated to UAE bands and the other towards Middle Eastern-based groups, Volume Two is another well-rounded package of what people are not hearing (and in some cases should be) on our pop-heavy radio stations. Some of the standout of the local batch include Dubai's melodic metal-core Obselion, whose Pictures of Me and the Moon contains some groovy riffs with vocals interchanging from gruff growls to a melodic soar. Midway's Burning Bridges is more thrashy with shouty vocals reminiscent of The Bronx. Ironically, the highlight of this brawny bunch is the Weezer-esque Sandwash, whose poppy track October is an ode to the trials of expat relationships. The second CD also holds some regional gems. Tyrant by Lebanese metal group Benevolent is beautifully broody while at the same time not for the faint-hearted. While Act I from Saudi metal crew A Breeze for the Dying tears at the speakers with squalling guitars and frenetic energy ... one can only wonder where band practice is held.

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