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Thursday, Jul 08, 2010

Gulf News

Local bands, including Dubai rockers Nikotin, will play over 30 original Metallica songs at a one-off tribute night. Georgina C. Enzer profiles them

Seven local bands will rip a hole in the sound barrier this Friday at a one-off tribute to thrash metal giants Metallica.

From much-loved Dubai-based alternative rockers Nikotin to little known band Bhatsgrave, the night will see some local musicians playing their hearts out for a single cause: to pay homage to the American metal music maestros at Metal Asylum, Aussie Legends.

Organiser, Rodi Hennawi, says he was inspired to do this tribute after the overwhelming success of an Iron Maiden Tribute Night on May 28, where over 200 people packed into Aussie Legends and headbanged until they dropped.

“I am very sure that the Metallica Tribute Night is going to be as good. Personally I prefer Maiden, but it’s very clear that Metallica has got a lot of followers in UAE and in this part of the world. I know people coming from Saudi, Oman and Qatar to attend; in fact I have got a friend who is coming all the way from Frankfurt, Germany!”

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Nikotin

These rockers need little introduction. Their recent acoustic gig at The Fridge, where they revealed two of their new songs for their upcoming album Panodrama, blew everyone away.

Their reaction to the idea of a Metallica Tribute Night was enthusiastic, apparently. “Who in their right mind would pass up an opportunity to pay tribute to one of the biggest musical influences of the past few decades?” asks vocalist Cruize Nikotin (the band refuses to use their real names), adding that the band’s favourite Metallica song is Nothing Else Matters. “That song has soul!,” says Cruize.

But why Metallica, we dared to ask.

“The fact that they’ve stuck together so long and kept making the music in spite of personal fall outs and the passing away of a member. They’ve grown in terms of band and as individuals while each of them have been a huge inspiration to many around the world — that includes us too!” he says.

Nikotin is also looking forward to catching other groups play: “I’m pretty sure that every band on the night is going to give their best on Friday. It would be really interesting to see what Dubai’s musicians have to offer.” adds Cruize.

Red Circle

This young band’s original sound is a cross between hard rock and heavy metal and they are chomping at the bit for Friday’s gig. Puneet Sharma, the band’s lead singer says he is looking forward to the tribute, as most metal bands are inspired one way or another by Metallica.

His band’s pick for the night is Harvester; “They have got a good line up of musicians and have got almost all the famous Metallica hits in their playlist!”

Harvester

This band has been set up specially for Metallica Tribute Night with Sam Nasernia from experimental band Eye joining them on drums, Fadi Al Shami, who recently took on some tough Iron Maiden covers on stage, is on backing vocals and guitars, Amro Ali, whose voice has belted out across the O2 in London, will take on vocals. They are joined by Salman Shaikh, from A Shot of Adrenaline on guitars and Puneet Sharma on bass. Al Shami says he can not wait until Friday: “I am looking forward to fulfilling our dreams to cover Metallica live on stage.”

Spaghetti Junction:

This band wowed the crowd the last time they played at Metal Asylum and just after their gig, saw their fan base on Facebook almost double. They are great showmen and fabulous musicians with a lot of on-stage attitude.

Azrael

Ardent Metallica fans, the band’s guitarist and vocalist Vency Mendoza, says his favourite Metallica song is The Shortest Straw; “It has a very strong and blatant lyrical content, which [emphasises] the total oppression and deprived justice system for the penniless inhabitants of society.” Mendoza cites Lamb of God as their biggest influence.

Echoes with Laughter

Echoes with Laughter is a recently formed professional hard rock band. They are influenced by music greats such as Motörhead and progressive music such as Dream Theatre. “We’ve been working on the songs hard, wanting to sound close enough to the tracks, keeping it heavy,” says guitarist Mohammad Abbas.

Bhatsgrave

Bhatsgrave love Metallica for their style, individual talent, musicality, and especially their stage performance, says vocalist Emmanuel Angeles. Master of Puppets is this band’s favourite song. “It is a great masterpiece, from arrangement, music, lyrics, solo and everything. Perfect!”

Don’t miss it

Metallica Tribute Night at Metal Asylum, Aussie Legends, Rydges Plaza (Satwa roundabout)

Dh50 at the door

Doors open 8.30 bands start at 9.30pm until late.

Admission only for 21 years and above. ?Call 04-3982222

By Georgina C. Enzer ?Copy Editor