REVIEW: Scarab's "Circles of Verminejya" as a Re-representation of African Native Culture

REVIEW: Scarab's "Circles of Verminejya" as a Re-representation of African Native Culture 

Written by: Rana Atef a.k.a ``DaRk~~KniGhT``

Originally Published on 16/9/2018 at 1:02 pm

Caption: "Martyrs of the Storm" Official Cover Art (Photo Courtesy: Scarab Band)

INTRODUCTION 

Finally, International Egyptian Death Metal icons Scarab give their fans a new single taken from their long-waited album"Martyrs of the Storm."

"Martyrs of the Storm" is Scarab's third full length album, also a big list of major names in the Metal industry are featured as guests. 

The album features Karl Sanders of Nile, Amduscias Baal of Temple of Baal, Paul Nazarkardeh of De Profundis and Achraf Loudiy of Aeternam.

With no doubt Scarab are one of the most influential names in the African Metal Scene. It is one of the few Metal bands who should achieve a real, touchable International fame! 

Scarab are one of the earliest African Metal bands who participated in the most prestigious international Metal Festivals.

Last Week Scarab announced that they will combine forces with Oriental themed Death Metal band Odious for a one-night show under the theme of "A Harvest Moon Show" on the occasion of  Scarab's "Martyrs of the Storm" launching on September 25th. 

The Storm is APPROACHING!!! 

Background

Scarab's late released single is entitled "Circles of Verminejya" and it is mainly dedicated to one of the African Native Cultures, Voodoo Culture, that's why the lyric video contains different scenes of the African Voodoo rituals. Regarding the technical/musical details of the track, I copied  the track's credits, 

"Lyric Video by Sammy Sayed

Music Written by Sammy Sayed & Al Sharif Marzeban

Lyrics & Vocals by Sammy Sayed, Recorded at "Noizz" Studio

Main Guitars by Al Sharif Marzeban, Recorded with "Alan Hurly"

Featuring Stephen Moss Additional Guitars & Arran Mcsporran on Bass Guitar

Keys and Orchestration Programming by Sammy Sayed

Drums by Amir El Saidi, Recorded with Ahmad Kubbara at "El Warsha" Studio

Sound Design & Engineering (Mix & Master) by Ahmed Abdel Samad at "Noizz" Studio

Special Thanks

Hani Sami Zaki

George Boulos

Ashraf El Ziftawi"

The Review  

Actually, it is not my first time to review a Scarab release. To be honest reviewing Scarab's stuff is something different for me because reviewing a unique release requires a unique review. Scarab music always draws the attention of the leading reviewing platforms, so I wish my review is a good one, and unique one.

Let's get started! Firstly, the title "Circles of Verminejya" is somehow a strange name for mostly of the listeners. Actually I need to thank Scarab for releasing the song with a lyric video that contains actual Voodoo rituals to have more understanding for the track's theme. 

You can find out that the people who are dancing. They are dancing in a middle of a circle and surrounded by a circle of audience.

It is a mutual form of celebrations in mostly of Native Cultures. For example, The Ancient Greek Theater was built as a circle and the Ancient Arabic Poetry contests were held in a form of circle of audience. The lyrics mentioned the meaning of "Circles of Verminejya"

"I Draw Barriers, and Dance in offering within the circles of Verminejya"! 

That's why I think that the "Circles of Verminejya" means the circles where the Voodoo rituals, mainly dances, take place.

Through her article on Thought Co. Website, Catherine Bayer explained, 

  Vodoun religious practices commonly include appealing to the loa (lwa), or spirits, and inviting them to temporarily take possession of (or "ride") human bodies so that they may communicate directly with believers. The ceremonies commonly include drumming, chanting, dancing and the drawing of symbols known as veves (vevers).

Just as specific colors, objects, chants and drum beats appeal to specific loa, so to do the veves. The veve used in a ceremony is dependent upon the lwa whose presence is desired. Veves are drawn on the ground with cornmeal, sand, or other powdery substances, and they are obliterated during the ritual.

Veve designs vary according to local customs, as do the names of the loa. Multiple veves generally have shared elements, however. For example, Damballah-Wedo is a serpent deity, so his veves commonly incorporate two snakes.

The lyrics carried many references to Voodoo rituals as "befriending in in and taming the serpent" and "Dance in offering within circles of Verminejya"! 

Scarab are not describing the Native Voodoo Culture but they are redefining it in terms of music, lyrics and actual visual medium. Complex, primitive, deep-rooted African Native culture is redefined from the eye of real African, not from the eye of the other! 

The music video carried several Voodoo culture symbols as Papa Lebga and Ogoun.

Caption: The Symbol of Papa Lebga (Photo Courtesy:  Vodou Lwa and His Veve. About.com/Catherine Beyer)

Caption:  The Symbol of Ogoun - (Photo Courtesy:  Vodou Lwa and His Veve. About.com/Catherine Beyer)

The Culture of Voodoo was well transformed in the music. Firstly, The music was fading in with a background of folk drum sounds,  then "Circles of Verminejya" sentences filled your ears with highly dynamic riffs which force your mind and body to headbang and chant with the music. You are listening to a beating, melodic, hyper riffs talk about hyper, dynamic dances rituals!

You are not only listening to pure Death Metal music but also to  orchestral work which is really amusing. The presence of those orchestral sounds within the low beats of African Folk Percussion, and dominant Death Metal music involve your soul in this mad process. 

Inner fights, being lost and asking a help or guide from flying souls in the sky, listening to dynamic, demonic beats, pushing your bloods to run fast in your veins, and your heart to adrenaline-tic beats! 

Experience is more than to be described in words, but to be lived, guys check the track and let the storm takes its way.

THE STORM IS APPROACHING