Ebbtide

Ebbtide is an Egyptian progressive metal band formed in March 2007 by Mohamed Moghazy, Ahmed Abd El Salam, El-Sayed Fouad and Edward Samir, who had all previously played in underground metal bands. The group develops its music around new ideas and distinctive song-writing, and initially aims to write songs with Arabic lyrics.

Early recordings

The band first records a five-track demo album called Sa'b (“Difficult”), which is a hard rock release and is completed in November 2008. It then moves towards the style it later defines as its main focus and records the demo album Rest in Peace in April 2009.

Live activity and line-up

Rest in Peace leads to the band’s first live appearance, a competition at the Art Center in Bibliotheca Alexandrina as part of the Bibliotheca Summer Festival. The performance is followed by further recognition, including being named best band in Egypt in 2009 and winning first prize for best original song. After these awards, drummer Adel Samakia and keyboard player Mohamed Nazem join to complete the line-up. Ebbtide then becomes the first band chosen to play in Metal Night concerts, a series that features six of Egypt’s best metal bands.

Style and plans

The band is associated with progressive metal, though its early work also includes hard rock elements. It continues to prepare for further concerts in Egypt and a future full-length album.