Metality UAE’s Top UAE Bands to Watch in 2012

Yes, we did it again – we risked vicious, incoherent comments and threatening emails to bring you what we think are the top 10 bands to watch in 2012 in both the rock and metal genres. (to check out our Top 10 bands of 2011, click here)

The following bands were chosen on a combination of how new and good they are and/or whether they are releasing new material. This means that you will see brand new bands in this list, as well as some old-timers who have released albums over the last two months or are releasing new material this year.

SO STARTING OFF WITH THE BRAND NEW BANDS:

SIGMA

This impressive new progressive rock-style band has only played two gigs, but has received rave audience feedback for both of their sets. This band plays only originals, so don’t be walking up to the stage and asking them to play Metallica. Check out their Facebook page and videos here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sigma/101334446656631 and make sure you catch them at their next gig if you are into clean prog. Have a read of our interview with the band here.

ALIVIA

This band is the brainchild of well-known Dubai-based musician Ali Maarrawi and brands itself as melodic metal. This band is also just starting out after Ali’s year-long search for the right musicians to play in the band. Check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/Aliviadubai - and have a rea of our interview with the band here.

ARAMAIC:

This is a brand new doom/death/Oriental band made up of a series of seasoned Dubai musicians: Fadi Al Shami : Guitars, Michael Al Asmar : Bass, Serge Lutfi : Vocals, Ahmad Hafez : Drums.

A bit about the band:

The band started when the friends Michael and Fadi gathered and started jamming on 2010, after few sessions the chemistry was undeniable and the result was some very interesting ideas. The band is joined by Ahmed & Serge who are part of the song writing process.

 The name came from the Ancient Arameans who lived in the region where the bands musicians hail from, with their very rich mythology as they worshipped Assyro-Babylonian gods such as Haddad (Adad), Sin, Ishtar, Shamash and Nergal, and Caananite-Phoenician deities such as the storm-god, El, the supreme deity of Canaan, Anat(‘Atta) and others.  The band is currently working on new material, that combines the Oriental elements with classic Death/Doom metal.

while this lot have yet to play a show, we are impressed by the line-up and are looking forward to hearing their debut. Check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Aramaic/169156139852117

KICKSOUND

This band manages to tick two boxes, being both new on the Dubai music scene and in the process of recording their debut album. The band classifies itself as grunge and has played some successful shows in various venues to date. The band lists its influences as Muse, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Incubus, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Audioslave, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, System of a Down, Stone Temple Pilots, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters! Quite a lot!

Check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kicksound/279094198785846?ref=ts

THE OLD (ER) BANDS

SHOTGUN ENEMA

This enthusiastic young metalcore band from Abu Dhabi has been on the scene since 2008 and has made quite a splash in the underage scene. However, they have been quiet for quite some time and we now find out that they have been cooking up an album.

Details are still sparse, but we hear that it will be out this year. Check out their video below and let us know what you think

Check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shotgun-Enema/50670653554

FATINIZA:

This lady of rock needs no introduction, with a hugely successful South American tour under her belt, a little black book chock-a-block with gigs and being one of the nicest and most professional musicians on the circuit, she is recognisable by her trademark raunchy rock and ballsy music style.

Fatiniza is at it again and is soon to release her second album,, one which she assures us is FAAR better than the first one. We are expecting some surprises. Check out her Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/fatiniza.fans and have a listen to her new single in Spanish below:

COAT OF ARMS

Another UAE band that needs little introduction. Abu Dhabi-based metalcore artists Coat of Arms have been spending a busy few months adding the finishing touches to their album, which they promise is far better than 2011′s ‘This is Manslaughter’. (we really liked that album so we can’t imagine what is in store!).

The latest post on the band page reads “Mixes for the album so far are sounding massive. Put simply, its music we were not capable of writing a year ago. Secondly, all of our new live gear is now being delivered. Be excited!!!! More to come soon!”

Check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/coatofarmsband

Stream their entire last album here:

2ZERO2

This band has been in hiatus for a while having lost some of its original members, but, its is BACK with a vengeance with new members and a fresh sound. Check out the original band here: 2zero2.

The new line-up includes Puneet from Red Circle on bass, Ashish from Vin Sinners on guitar and two of the original members, Kenan on drums and Alaa on guitar. Watch out for more info on these guys!

XCEED 

Previously a cover band, Xceed, known for its impressive vocals is giving up the cover’s only tag they have earned over the years and are working on all-originals which they will debut after Ramadan. Check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/XCEED/130015130955

RIFF RAFF

Another band that needs no introduction have JUST released their debut album ‘By the Seat of Our Pants’. These hard rockers have wormed their way into the hearts of fans across the Emirates and have built a strong following of hardccore fans. Check out our interview with them here and listen to their album below: