Naser Mestarihi EP is the eponymous debut EP of Doha based heavy metal/hard rock guitarist Naser Mestarihi. The release of the album marked the first official release of a rock album out of Qatar. All the lyrics and music on the album were written by Mestarihi, who also plays all the instruments with the exception of the drums.[3][4]
| Naser Mestarihi EP | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 31 December 2010 | |||
| Recorded | Doha, Qatar, December 2009–January 2010 | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal, hard rock | |||
| Length | 26:12 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Interscope Digital Distribution | |||
| Producer | Bader Al Sada & Naser Mestarihi (co-producer) | |||
| Naser Mestarihi chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Naser Mestarihi EP | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Rolling Stone |    [1] |
| Sur la Terre | [2] |
Music
editMestarihi has described the album as a "cathartic output which helps people deal with difficult issues." Most of the lyrics and subject themes on the album are introspective and deal with overcoming turmoil by conveying a positive and uplifting message.[3][4]
Track listing
editAll lyrics are written by Naser Mestarihi; all music is composed by Naser Mestarihi
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Phoenix" | 6:17 |
| 2. | "Blazing Temple" | 6:00 |
| 3. | "Salvation" | 4:13 |
| 4. | "Astral Voyager" | 9:42 |
| Total length: | 26:12 | |
Release
editThe album was released on December 31, 2010. Upon its release, the album received positive critical reviews, with Rolling Stone magazine's Anthony McGregor describing it as a "Technically profficient [sic] EP".[attribution needed] Additionally, it was hailed as a "huge sounding impressive debut."[5] The album also received a positive review by Sur la Terre magazine in which Mestarihi's guitar playing was described as "guttural riffs threaded beautifully, if not maniacally, with the screeching whine of fast licks." In the same review his playing is described as "almost computerised-sounding builds that you can't help but double-back on and listen to over and over again."[6]
Personnel
edit- Naser Mestarihi - lead and backing vocals, lead guitars, rhythm guitars, acoustic guitars and bass guitar.
- Ateek Chima - drums
Production
References
edit- ^ Rolling Stone - Unsigned Artists: Naser Mestarihi EP Review link
- ^ Naser Mestarihi EP Review - Local boy makes good...by rocking our faces off! link
- ^ a b Paugh, Steve. "Rock in a Hard Place," Sur la Terre March 2011
- ^ a b Seguia, Glazia. "Five minutes with Naser Mestarihi." OK! Magazine (Middle East) May 2011
- ^ McGregor, Anthony "CD Reviews" Rolling Stone Middle East) February 2011
- ^ Paugh, Steve. "Naser Mestarihi EP Review - A local boy makes good... by rocking our faces off!" Sur la Terre March 2011