benevolence

Benevolent is a death/experimental metal band based in Kuwait, formed in 2007.

History

Formation & Lineup Changes (2007–2009)

Benevolent was founded by brothers Hadi Sarieddine and Fadi Sarieddine in May 2007 under the name Eminence. The band had initially started as a cover band for music by bands such as Opeth, Tool, and other music.

In 2008, the band released its first single titled "Solace", which was a mellow and ambient track with Fadi Sarieddine on cleans vocals.

In mid-2009, the band was joined by Adel Al-Qattan on guitars, and Bader Nana on drums. The band soon began writing original material, which culminated in two track: "Corporatacide" and "Augmented". (The song "Augmented" was later released on the band's debut EP under the name "The Tyrant"). The sound that the band presented in the two new releases declared a new direction and change of sound that the band is moving toward, in comparison to the band's previous release "Solace", the new tracks were very heavy, and with the vocals shifting to growls throughout. However, the band carried forward the ambient and atmospheric elements into their new direction.

Soon after the release of "Augmented" in early 2010, Adel Al-Qattan and Bader Nana had departed from the band to focus on other projects.

Recording Divided EP (December 2009–August 2010)

Benevolent entered the studio to begin work on record material for what has become the band's debut EP, titled Divided. Working exclusively with Sajid "Sarj" Masoud at Sarj's Studio, Kuwait.

The band would write songs and enter the studio to record songs individually, this process spanned the period from December 2009 up until August 2010, when the band finalized all recordings for Divided.

"The Tyrant" was previously released as "Augmented" in late January, 2010. However, Fadi had re-recorded the growl vocals for the version that is on Divided EP.

The second single off the EP was the song "Haunting Shores".^[1] which showcased a new and more focused direction in the band's sound. Involving elements of poly rhythmic beats, low tuned guitars, and a general move toward what is referred to as Djent. The song also was the first to feature clean vocals by Hadi Sarieddine.

The songs "Clairvoyant Transmission", "Purgatory", and "The Quantum Paradox" were all finalized toward the end of the recording process across the summer of 2010.

Divided EP and New Members

On November 5, 2010, the band released its debut EP titled Divided.^[2] The EP featured five songs including "Haunting Shores" and "The Tyrant".

Divided was released exclusively for free download on the band's Bandcamp page.

The EP received positive reviews from the fans and regional Metal websites, Jorzine gave the album a rating of 9/10, naming the band as "The best Middle Eastern Metal band of the year".^[3]

Shortly after the release of Divided, Hadi Sarieddine had revealed in an interview with Streaming Chaos that the band has been rehearsing with guitarist Hisham Khalil, and drummer Khalid Al-Mansour in preparation for shows in support of Divided across the region.^[4]

On January 10, 2011, Benevolent announced through their Facebook page that the line up of the band has been completed with the addition of Mohammed Gad on Bass Guitar. The band also confirmed their appearance in shows promoting Divided in February 2011 in the Middle East.^[5][6]

It was officially announced on the band's Official Facebook page that the band will return to the studio on May 27,^[7] 2011 to commence work on a single which will be released through the summer of 2011. The single will feature two tracks, one song and an instrumental. This will mark the band's first instrumental.

The new material has been described to have a more progressive nature in comparison to the previous works, with the song specifically described as the heaviest song written by the band, in addition to it being the fastest and most technically challenging to play.

On July 10, 2011, Benevolent debuted their first official music video which features a guitar play-through of the song Clairvoyant Transmission. Hadi Sarieddine worked with the designer of the artwork from Divided as a director and producer for the video.^[8]

Spellbind Records

On September 11th 2011, it was announced that Benevolent has signed with Spellbind Records. The label will be handling all of the band's booking and management for the Middle East and North Africa region.

It has also been teased by the band on their official Facebook page that work for the full length CD is well underway, the band is scheduled for release in 2012.

Benevolent performed at Metal Asylum Festival 2011 in Dubai on November 4th alongside Firezone (Netherlands), Zygnema (India), Dead City Ruins (Australia), Death Fuse (Iran), and Frosted Leaves (Iran).

Discography

Divided EP (2010)

Track list

1. "Clairvoyant Transmission"
2. "Purgatory"
3. "The Tyrant"
4. "Haunting Shores"
5. "The Quantum Paradox"

• Co-produced, mixed, and engineered by Sajid "Sarj" Masoud at Sarj's Studio, Kuwait.
• Drums written by Hadi Sarieddine & Bader Nana, digitized by Sajid "Sarj" Masoud
• Guitars recorded by Hadi Sarieddine (Adel Al-Qattan appears on "The Tyrant" and "The Quantum Paradox")
• Bass recorded by Hadi Sarieddine
• Vocals recorded by Fadi Sarieddine (Growls, and cleans on "The Tyrant") and Hadi Sarieddine (Cleans)
• Keyboards and pianos digitized and engineered by Hadi Sarieddine

Full Length Album (2012)

The band is currently working on their first full length album, scheduled for release in 2012.

Band members

Current members

• Hadi Sarieddine - guitar, clean vocals
• Fadi Sarieddine - unclean vocals
• Hisham I. Khalil - guitar
• Mohammed Gad - Bass
• Khalid Al Mansour - drums

Past members

• Adel Al-Qattan - Guitars
• Bader Nana - Drums

References

External links

• [1] - Myspace Page
• [2] - Bandcamp Page
• [3] - Facebook Page
• EP review on Lebmetal.com