Makshoof Music Profile - Belm2loob (Alexandria)

In another feature article focus on artists that have submitted their music to Makshoof Music, we catch up with Belm2loob ('upside-down' in phonetic Arabic) about what playing music in Alexandria, Egypt is like and what drives them as artists.

Belm2loob are one of the few Arabic-language rock bands to so far to enter their music on triplew.me. Combining riff-driven rock from a pedigree from any of AC-DC's back-catalog through to clear influences of Metallica and Megadeth, albeit with a more melodic edge, Belm2loob seem to have a story to tell and message to get across. The music, often about disappointment in the present and hope in the future. Their music has struck a chord with the rest of the triplew.me team as well, mainly because of the passion that seeps through the speakers on every listen.

So, we caught up with guitar-man Hany Nagy for a chat about what drives the band and how they decided on Belm2loob as a concept.

Check out their profile here, and tell us what you think by leaving a comment on their profile page (please register first).

Firstly, tell us about the name Belm2loob, where does it come from and why did you choose to call the band this?

belm2loob, haha, what a long story! We composed a song called 'De Baladna' and it's about our country and the not-so-good things that we see happening & live through everyday, like bad food, dirt in streets, lack of opportunity, the transportation, the yellow dirty water that we drink everyday, you know, 'dark cloud on the horizon' type of stuff, but we sang it in a different way to make a joke of those stupid things, like (streets are empty, so clean, the food is good and healthy, more a sarcasm, upside down kind of way! This is why we called the band belm2loob - it was kind of natural!

Who are your musical heroes?

Our musical heroes are AC/DC, also, specifically Dave Mustaine & Marty Friedman of Megadeth, also Miika Tenkula & Ville Laihila of Sentenced.

How do you find the music scene in Alexandria?

Music scene in Alexandria, in terms of playing live, is really bad. We have a lot of rock & metal bands here and many of them are really good and hard workers, but what is the point? We don't get any chances to show off our talent, with most places here refusing to hold concerts for rock & metal bands. This happens here (Egypt) all over, including the big cities like Cairo & Alexandria.  Actually we're suffering to make good concerts here.

Describe the sound of Belm2loob.

The best way to describe our sound really is fun, realistic, a little bit angry and disappointed, but also dreaming of better world and future!

Your music, harder riff-rock, with melodies and Arabic vocals produces a unique sound (such as on Tarek Taweel), tell us what inspires your music?

I think AC/DC the most, but also the hard riffs maybe inspired from Mustaine (Dave Mustaine from Megadeth) my 'God father' in guitar!

What is Belm2loob doing over summer?

We are composing new music and writing new lyrics, recording when we get any chance, we also looking for a new places to hold as many concerts as we can for the band to show-off to new audiences all around Egypt and beyond.

What’s your best (and worst) on-stage moment to date? Any favorite concerts that Belm2loob have played?

The best moment on stage is every-time when they turn on the light on our faces like the rising sun and we hear the screams calling our name! The worst thing on stage is always when you hear noise coming out of your monitor. Most of the sound engineering here don't really know how to manage the sound for the rock bands, or generally don't really know what they are doing. Although, the best concert for us was yesterday, it was really amazing.  The whole crowd were so happy also when we performed at Cairo Jazz Club and that was really the best sounds ever.

If any band could support YOU at a gig, who would it be?

Ohhh what a hard question my friend, I'd like to see Sentenced (band) there ... both attending & supporting us.

You recently played a concert in Alexandria, any more planned?

Yes we are planning to play in many places like Bibalex, Sakia Cultural Wheel (Cairo) & Cairo Jazz Club, and for sure Jesuit Cultural Center in Alexandria.

Anything else you want to tell the readers of triplew.me?

I would like to thank triplew.me for giving us the chance to let the people know who we are, also we hope that the readers here like our songs and don't forget to support us and keep telling us your comments & feedback when you hear our music.

Belm2loob's profile is here, check them out & you heard them they want feedback so get commenting!!