Settling in Dubai; Exploring the Metal Scene; Writing/Recording Solos for the NEW BENEVOLENT ALBUM

Hey guys!

So I've been busy settling into my new life out here in Dubai, loving it! I've been to a few shows already and I am really enjoying how vibrant the scene here is here. Fadi and I went to the Avenged Sevenfold and Anuryzm show back in early May, and it was phenomenal! Both bands really rocked out and we had a blast. The other show I've been to was the Hate Eternal / Perversion / Creative Waste show done by Spellbind Records and the bands were freaking crazy good!

Besides settling in, snooping around my new home, and getting to know Dubai, we've been hard at work on finishing the Benevolent record. Vocals and solos are underway! We are having a blast putting this thing together!

I have kind of found that I am taking to a more organic way of writing the solos for the new album. I think that I am reaching a deeper and more sincere level of intimacy with recording the solos on my laptop in the room on my own without the studio pressure of having to get the very next take down. I think both recording in a studio with an engineer/producer guiding you through things AND recording on your own have advantages and disadvantages.

I often worry that the solos I am writing may sound good to me because I am engulfed by the wavelength of creativity that I am feeding off of. Although, what I am doing is am keeping Sarj involved in the production process so I keep sending him the takes in scratch tones for some feedback, alongside the rest of the band obviously. My good friend Bader Nana is also one the trustful ears that I turn to for feedback. Those guys say it as it is, and I find myself always seeking their "approval" over bits before they are confirmed as the final ones for the record!

Much to talk about, stay tuned for more updates! And give us a like on Facebook HERE

Take care now.

Hadi

Shoved Riffs & Being Over-Inspired

Hey guys,

You know that time of the day when you hear a little something in your head that seems to be suiting as a begin of a song or a continuation of an already-started piece? You get that extra super-energized excitement and you feel like you've achieved John Petrucci levels?

Be warned that in such cases there's a good chance you're being tricked by our own adrenaline, and blinded by your excitement.

I find that lots of times when I am SUPER-PERKY-STYLE psyched about a part, it's not exactly what I think it sounds like. This is evident when I show a recording of the idea to someone and they go like "Ummm...yea, it's alright!"; hearing words like that feels like an avalanche of despair and a heart-breaking moment that'll take you a few days of rerunning the conversation in your mind to believe if it's the truth or not. It can't be true, or can it?

Here's what I think happens: a lot of times when we try to copy certain things or translate certain ideas we're hearing in our minds they sound a lot like the other side of the spectrum, rather. This, however, is not always a bad thing at all. Here's why:

Sometimes we hear a song or a section that inspires us to write something or go in a certain direction musically and the fact that our newly created part doesn't sound spot on to what we had intended may very well cause the creation of something completely original. I find that a lot of times when we are "inspired" that inspiration is borrowed from something we've seen, heard, experienced, etc. Creating something remotely far from what we had intended brings out that inner genius.

So as we can see, there is a caution in being over-inspired in the sense that we tend to create things that are pretty far off from what we're hearing in our minds; however, there are moments where we find that a certain genius is born from such events.

A very contrasting and confusing post!

Hadi

First Day Tracking Vocals

Hey guys!

Today was the first day of vocal tracking, Fadi jumped right in with great energy and ripped through his parts.

What we're going to do is finish all the growl vocals (Fadi's bits) first, and then after that I'll step in to do my vocals and finish up my solos as well along the same time.

Here are some shots from today's session:

Stay tuned!
Hadi

Fresh Album Making Updates

Hey guys!

So we're closing in on the making of this record! HOORAH!

We've got a couple of songs to track the guitars and bass for, vocals/lyrics finalization are happening next week, solos and finalization of all production/sound design layers elements is on the menu for the upcoming weeks as well!

Andols Herrick has one more drum tracking session taking place through the next week and then we start pooling all the pieces together to finalizing this record.

We're extremely excited to share it with everyone! You are definitely going to be hearing our hearts and souls flowing through this album from start to finish. The songs are beefy, rich in many elements, and it's the soundtrack of the next chapter of the Benevolent family's life!

Stay in touch and be well! (Keep up with our updates on Facebook)

Hadi

Sorry Have Been Busy Relocating

Hey guys!

I am extremely sorry for the delay in blogging, I've been busy relocating to the UAE and I am now officially living in Dubai. Feels great! It's a very vibrant city with lots going on, lots of concerts and the metal scene is pretty great out here! I can't wait to explore the country further as I stay here and will definitely keep you guys posted on album progress and my production/songwriting rants!

Be well!

Hadi