EXCLUSIVE: Medic Reveals Ascension’s Journey, Career, Upcoming Metal Blast Performance, and Future Plans
Medic is one of the most popular Progressive Metal bands in Egypt. It has its own enjoyable, artistic style on the stage. This year means a lot to Medic as it released its first full length “Ascension” and Medic will perform after few days in Metal Blast Festival.
So, I had the chance to talk to Medic members about their career, “Ascension”, and upcoming Metal Blast Festival Performance.
Medic interviewed by: Rana Atef
Originally Published on 22/10/2018 at 5:39 pm
Firstly thank you for giving me the chance to interview you for the first time, so I have a lot of questions, but I will start with your masterpiece “Ascension”! I don’t have to say how much it is great! How did you choose this spiritual concept? And I think you did a lot of reading, studying to form your lyrics, and concept, what are your main references?
First off, WE would like to thank YOU for all you’re doing for the metal scene. Now getting right down to business, the story of “Ascension” started when a friend of ours called Mohamed Hassany helped out in writing the lyrics for “Of a Blessed Memory” based on the story of the great Sedlec Ossuary.
The story was so interesting, that we started researching it even more and dug so deep until the result is what you see and hear in the album.
Your album took 10 year of hard work, how could you describe those 10 years?
This is a great question because it helps us correct a common misconception. The decision to record an album took place in 2012, after Metal Blast Festival that year.
So it’s actually 6 years and not 10. Now that this is out of the way; let me tell you a funny story to give you an idea of how those 6 years went.
“Ascension” was actually completely recorded multiple times before, but we were never fully satisfied with the output so we threw it in the drawer and tried again.
Until we reached a level we saw fit to showcase to the public.
Can we go back to the early days of Medic in 2006, Why did you choose Progressive Rock/Metal to play? What are your main influences?
The 2005/2011 Medic was a completely different band on all fronts. Members, Music, you name it. The band used to play Alternative rock, including covers.
Throughout the years and through several member changes as well as musical and personal maturity we were able to reach the current and longest running formation which started in late 2012 and was completed by the joining of Karim Wassim on keyboards in 2013.
We all have common influences which helped a lot with our chemistry in and out of the studio.
I attended Medic’s performance only once but actually I could touch the warm interaction between the members on the stage, How did you meet the other Medic members?
Well, we have a philosophy that worked very well with us so far. When it comes to choosing members, we choose personality, we choose common interests and background over musical ability.
We believe that getting along is more important than being the most technically able.
I felt that you have certain touches you add to your live performances: the lights, the smoke, the Atmospheric vibes in the air and your appearance on the stage, what is the message that you want to send to the audience, what do you want to tell them? + What did inspire you to add Saxphone and percussion to your show ?
We think of a show as just that. A SHOW. Our music is very theatrical, and we pride ourselves in providing a complete experience which includes sound, light, smoke, and of course the music.
As for the Saxophone, it happened between Ehab and his younger brother Youssef. It was random and beautiful, and it obviously worked for the best. Don’t you think?
Medic becomes one of the definitive signs of Metal Blast, How did the relation between Medic and Metal Blast start?
We followed a strategy in the past of playing just 1 show a year, due to many reasons but mainly due to our Guitarist Ahmed Khalil not living in Egypt. So if you’re going to play 1 show a year, you play it with the best and most professional festival around.
You performed once in Dubai, How was your experience?
We were surprised from the reception we received in Dubai, that we actually had fans there that sang along to our songs. It was an amazing experience that definitely broadened our horizons and showed us that we can grow outside of the confines of our own home country.
As we are talking about Dubai, last month you announced that you signed with the leading Emirati label Metal East Records, How did they contact you, and can you reveal more details about that?
Actually, that’s another fun fact. The deal with Metal East Records had been finalised since our performance in Dubai, it was just pending the finalisation and release of “Ascension”.
You shared the stage with mostly of the European bands who rock Metal Blast Festival stage, and of course you exchanged talk, and some points of view so how did they see the Metal scene in Egypt? What were their impressions?
The Egyptian metal scene is the strongest in the region in terms of both numbers and passion. This is what most of the international and regional bands got to experience, and 100% of the time, their comment was on the insane amount of energy they received from the crowd.
Before Metal Blast Festival with few days, Tell us more about your feelings as finally you are rocking the stage after releasing “Ascension”?
It’s been a very long and hard journey. More than most people can possibly understand. Now it’s time to kick back, and enjoy this with all of you.
Finally, What are your plans for 2019?
We don’t intend to spend another 6 years to release our second album, we decided to give ourselves till the end of 2018 to enjoy “Ascension” and then we’re back into the studio to “continue” working on our upcoming album 🤫.
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