The Hourglass

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The Hourglass
General information
origin Homs , Syria
Genre (s) Heavy metal , thrash metal
founding 2002
resolution 2016
Founding members
Rawad Abdel Massih
Last occupation
Bassem Deaibess
Rawad Abdel Massih
Munsef Turkmani
Aram Kalousdian
former members
Bahij Ghatta

The Hourglass was a heavy metal / thrash metal band from Homs , Syria , formed in 2002 . The band name comes from the song of the same name by the band Savatage from the album The Wake of Magellan .

history

The Hourglass was founded by guitarist Rawad Abdel Massih. He is supported by singer Bassem Deaibess, bassist Munsef Turkmani, drummer Aram Kalousdian, and the two live musicians Rafi Fakes and Abdel Latif Mallouhi, both of whom are guitarists. The musicians played in various rock bands before.

So far the group has released two albums and one EP. In 2004 the debut album To the Land of the Free was released. Three years later, in 2007, the follow-up album, Resurrection of the Horrid Dream , followed . The last release so far is Ancient Hope , an EP released in 2010. In 2012, the band's next sign of life followed in the form of a single called Play the Pawn . Jon Oliva and Zak Stevens can be heard as guest musicians .

According to Bashar Haroun, a Syrian music producer and metal singer, the group is considered the country's most important metal band. The group was interviewed by Monzer Darwish as part of his film project, which is called Syrian Metal Is War . An article by Daniel J. Gerstle on The Atlantic states that The Hourglass is the first Syrian metal band to play abroad. The group played on September 3, 2011 at the Beirut Rock Festival in Beirut , Lebanon as the opening act for Katatonia and Moonspell . On November 30, 2012, the group was seen in the opening act of Circle II Circle in Dubai , United Arab Emirates . In June 2012 the group was supposed to support Jon Oliva's Pain . However, the group had problems leaving, so that an appearance was not possible.

According to an interview between Rawad Abdel Massih and Metal Hammer , the group rarely plays in their own country, not least because there are no clubs or concert halls that allow a metal concert. Only theaters are sometimes available for such events. Concerts were also often stopped by the government. The organization of such an event also turns out to be particularly difficult.

On July 30, 2016, Massih announced the end of the band on the social network Facebook . However, a new song should be released before the separation. In the meantime it became known that the civil war in Syria, which had been going on for years, was decisive for the breakup of the band.

style

In an interview, Massih said that he had his first contact with heavy metal at the age of 12. His first bands were Iron Maiden and Metallica . He is influenced by groups such as Iron Maiden, Candlemass , Black Sabbath , Savatage , Judas Priest and Anathema , among others . Massih's texts are mostly symbolic, he leaves the interpretation to the listener. Maybe Holy Rage is the only song on the corresponding album with lyrics like Manowar . But basically politics and religion played a role in the texts.

Stand in Syria

Like many other metal bands, the group has to fight against many prejudices in their own country. Not least because many Syrians associate metal with drug use , homosexuality or Satanism .

Long hair and metal merchandising are tolerated, but that changes with the wearing of piercings and earrings . In the eyes of the average population, according to Massih, metallers have something disreputable and are despised as satanists and losers. As a possible reason, Massih cites the many radical black metal bands that prevent radio stations from broadcasting heavier music.

Discography

Singles

EPs

  • 2010: Ancient Hope

Albums

  • 2004: To the Land of the Free
  • 2007: Resurrection of the Horrid Dream

Filmography

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g Detlef Dengler: The Hourglass . Syria. In: Metal Hammer . Axel Springer Mediahouse München GmbH, February 2008, ISSN  1614-2292 , p. 144 .
  2. ↑ a b http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/jon-oliva-to-guest-on-syrian-heavy-metal-band-s-new-single/. Blabbermouth.net , May 25, 2012, accessed July 3, 2014 .
  3. ↑ Jana Felgenhauer: Metal scene in Syria: "We are considered a satanic virus". Rolling Stone , June 27, 2014, accessed July 3, 2014 .
  4. ^ Daniel J. Gerstle: Surviving Syria's Civil War With Heavy Metal. The Atlantic , April 14, 2014, accessed July 3, 2014 .
  5. ↑ Beirut Rock Festival 2011 - September 3rd. LebMetal, September 11, 2011, accessed on July 3, 2014 (English).
  6. ↑ Nadine K .: Rock Festival 2011: Lebanon's Rockers Headbanged the Night Away. BeirutNightLife, September 6, 2011, accessed July 3, 2014 .
  7. ↑ Circle II Circle Live In Dubai Dubai Chi at The Lodge Friday November 30, 2012. Platinumlist.net, November 30, 2012, accessed on July 3, 2014 (English).
  8. ^ Metal Addicts : The Hourglass calls quits due to civil war
  9. ↑ Death Curse: The Hourglass interview. Lelahel Metal, accessed July 3, 2014 .