Arrd is a new formation based in the Netherlands, but with roots reaching back to Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The darkness you created can be considered as some kind of a unique black hole. Please tell us about yourselves: who you are, when was it all started, what are your aims and overall… how dark and scary this black hole is?
Rami: Arrd is a manifestation of the anguish and hopelessness that permeate lands burdened by constant conflict and suffering. Through our music, we aim to amplify the unheard screams of those living in torment, giving a voice to their struggles and pain.
The story of how Arrd came to be is quite special. I first met Walid in 2006 when I traveled from Jordan, where I’m from, to Walid’s home country, Lebanon for a metal show. Walid and his bandmates were kind enough to host us during our stay. We crossed paths again in 2008, playing shows with my previous band, in both Lebanon and Dubai. Fast forward to 2019, I moved to Amsterdam for work, and by a fantastic coincidence, Walid was already living here.
In 2021, Walid and I began discussing the idea of making music together, and I shared some riffs and songs I had been working on. Walid was immediately inspired and recorded some vocal demos. Once we heard them, we realized we had something truly unique to offer.
As for how we found Zdeněk, our drummer from the Czech Republic, it was another serendipitous moment. I was browsing new posts in an Arcturus fan group on Facebook when I came across a video of someone covering the song “Kinetic.” I really liked his rendition, and as a fan of Arcturus, I was excited to reach out to him. I sent Zdeněk a message about us looking for a drummer and shared how much I liked his drumming. He asked for some music samples, so I sent him a few demos, and he immediately connected with the idea.
Danny, our bassist from Germany, came into the picture during the pandemic. We first connected via a Twitch channel called The Unmuted Show. In 2022, we finally met in person when Danny visited and stayed at Walid’s place in Amsterdam. Danny’s contributions on bass have added a crucial melodic layer alongside the rhythmic foundation, and we love what he brings to the band.
Our “black hole” isn’t just about darkness for the sake of it; it’s a reflection of real, raw emotions and the harsh realities faced by many. We want our music to be a powerful conduit for those feelings, drawing listeners into the depths of these experiences.
Walid: Zoltán interesting to see you describe Sarab as a black hole; the song is an attempt at capturing some of the realities of our loved ones back homeland, this is a mere small percentage of the daily actuality if we look at our families in Levant.
Your first single entitled “Sarab” is already available on streaming platforms. It features sick, growling vocals, dark atmosphere combined with Arabic lyrics. I’m sure that many people will be impressed by your talent. What’s worth knowing about “Sarab”?
Rami: Thank you for the kind words! We’re really excited to have “Sarab” out in the world. The title, which means “mirage” in Arabic, captures the essence of the song – something that seems real and within reach but is ultimately unattainable, just like hope in a land torn by constant conflict and despair.
Walid: Sarab’s lyrics were written shortly after the Beirut Port Explosion of August 2020, but the questions the song entails have been screaming in my head for years before it. Our situation has been only, somehow, escalating further since the 70s and every week holds a new surprise.
If I’m not mistaken, the cover art of the single is a painting by a Lebanese artist. Who exactly is he? What kind of artworks does he have, and what does he usually paint? What kind of questions did he ask you and what did you sketch for him?
Rami: We had the pleasure of collaborating with Salah Missi, an incredibly talented artist from Lebanon, for the cover art of “Sarab.” Salah’s work resonates deeply with us because, like our music, it explores themes of conflict, suffering, and the complexities of life in our part of the world. If you read his introduction on his website, it’s clear that we’re both expressing similar ideas – him through his stunning painted artwork, and us through our music.
What made working with Salah so seamless was the shared understanding and experiences we have regarding the situations in our region. This shared perspective meant that we didn’t have to explain the nuances of our message in detail; Salah instinctively knew what we wanted to convey. He asked thoughtful questions about the themes and emotions we were channelling into “Sarab,” and we discussed how to visually represent that sense of despair and elusive hope.
Instead of sketching out specific ideas, we shared the emotional tone and underlying concepts of the song, trusting his artistic vision to bring them to life. The result is a cover that perfectly complements the music, capturing the dark atmosphere and haunting beauty of “Sarab.”
We’re also thrilled to share that Salah has created another three artworks for us, which we’re really excited about unveiling as we release more music. Each piece is a powerful extension of our vision, and we can’t wait for everyone to see them.
The sequel is already about to come – and it’s quite hard to wait for it, because a new Arrd release is much needed! When will it be released, and what kind of songs can we expect? Will we get enough music even for a full album?
Rami: We’re thrilled to hear that there’s anticipation for our next release! We have about three more songs in the final stages, with one currently being mixed by our amazing engineer, Karim Sinno, at The Audioloft.
Our initial goal was to release a single and gauge the listeners’ reactions, and it’s been incredibly exciting and inspiring to see how well our music has been received. The positive response has fueled our drive to keep pushing forward and create more music. While we’re focused on perfecting these upcoming tracks, we’re already thinking ahead, and who knows? There might be enough material for a full album sooner than you think.
Have you played in other bands before? Which bands inspired you the most?
Rami: Yes, we’ve both been involved in other bands before forming Arrd. Walid has played with several bands, including Ordum and Kaoteon, while I have been a long-time member of Bilocate, a Jordanian Dark Oriental metal band that has been active for years. Our music is deeply influenced by doom and black metal, which have been significant sources of inspiration for us. Personally, I draw a lot of inspiration from bands like Akhlys and The Ruins of Beverast, whose recent work has particularly resonated with me. These genres and bands shape the dark and atmospheric sound that defines Arrd.
Walid: I feel personally that Leftist Revolutionary Lebanese music has had a massive impact on my life for it’s been around me in South Lebanon since birth. The voices of Marcel Khalife, Ahmad Kaabour, Ziad Rahbani, and Julia Boutros echoed through every house in Tyre (and the entire south) during the occupation of South Lebanon. While an extreme metal fan at heart, I find my influences drifted to similar dark and intimate sound/noisescapes, such as Dark Jazz, 60s/70s Psychedelic and Progressive Rock (1964-1976 if I’m being specific), Arabic poetry (especially Mahmoud Darwish, Gibran Khalil Gibran, and Nizar Qabbani – A highly recommended book is Terrorist Poets (Arabic poetry compilation) with ISBN number 13978933402372).
As far as I know, Arrd means “earth / home”. How sick do you consider your current situation? What should we know about the lyrics of the songs? How much anger do you have inside of you?
Walid: I’m not too certain about how angry I personally feel, Zoltán, it’s a magnitude of different heavy emotions in a broken beating heart, and I’m honestly not sure if these feelings are more towards the situation and its injustice, its root and the wrongdoers, or if the heavier part is the fact that we (all, collective) do nothing but carry on with our lives somehow with little action and little realization of our collective strength. It’s definitely sickening, but it’s a heartbreak rather than any other illness.
Would you like to find a label for partnering? Would you like to publish Arrd’s works in physical format? How important is this for you? In which way can those contact you who want to get in touch with the band?
Rami: Our primary goal is to spread our music as widely as possible, so partnering with a label that can help us achieve that would be something we’re definitely interested in. While we recognize that digital platforms are the most accessible way for people to experience our music, we also have a strong desire to release our work in physical format in the near future. There’s something uniquely satisfying about holding a physical product that you’ve poured your heart into, and we’d love to collaborate with artists to create a visual identity that complements our music.
Labels or anyone interested in getting in touch with us can reach out via our Instagram @arrd_official or by sending an email to band@arrdofficial.com. We’re always open to exploring new opportunities and collaborations. We also have plans for small and limited physical releases, not necessarily limited to music formats, but we’re keeping this as a surprise down the road we’re paving for our first release.
I believe in you that you will be able to further shake up the metal scene which is already not boring at all! What is it that you hope to achieve by your music? How optimistic are you guys?
Rami: One of the best things about the metal community is its openness to new music. Some fans find comfort in the familiar, while others are always on the hunt for something fresh and different. We believe we have something to offer both groups. Our music blends tried-and-true elements with a unique twist that we hope will keep listeners engaged and eager for more.
So yes, we’re definitely optimistic! We’re excited about the impact our music could have and are confident that we can contribute something special to the metal scene.
How much time do you spend with playing music? What does the creative process and making music look like for you?
Rami: Balancing music with work and other life responsibilities can be challenging, but it’s something we’re deeply committed to. For the past couple of years, I have made it a point to play guitar for at least two hours a day. This dedication became even more crucial when I was diagnosed with focal dystonia in my right hand, which made it difficult to strum or hold a pick. However, I refused to let this stop me from playing. For the past five years, I’ve been teaching myself to play guitar left-handed, and I’m proud to say that all the guitar parts recorded for Arrd were done using my left hand.
Our creative process typically begins with setting the structure of the song. I start by laying down guitar riffs and adding some sampled drum beats to create the foundation. Throughout this process, I always share each addition with Walid to get his feedback, ensuring that the direction we’re taking resonates with our vision. Once the structure is taking shape, we send this demo to our fantastic drummer, who has complete artistic freedom to modify the drumming parts. His input often inspires me to tweak the guitar riffs further to better complement his incredible drumming.
Once the structure and guitar parts are solidified, the track goes to our bassist, who adds his unique touch, bringing a new dimension to the music. Finally, Walid lays down his powerful, haunting vocals, using the lyrics he writes to add a layer of originality and depth that’s integral to Arrd’s sound.
Throughout this entire process, we’re constantly sharing ideas and exploring new directions together. It’s a collaborative effort where each member’s input helps shape the final product.
What is life like for you in the Netherlands? Can you tell us a few things about yourselves? What kind of values do you look for in people? How often do you find these values in them? How different are we, European people from you guys?
Rami: Life in the Netherlands has been a rewarding experience for us. We deeply value the freedom of expression here, which has been essential in allowing us to explore and express our ideas through music without restrictions.
We prioritize integrity, empathy, and resilience in ourselves and others. While it’s not always easy to find these qualities, encountering them is incredibly inspiring.
Culturally, while there are differences between European and Middle Eastern ways – like the Dutch focus on individualism versus our emphasis on community – we’ve found that people everywhere seek connection and understanding. Living here has allowed us to blend our heritage with new influences, enriching both our music and our lives.
Walid: In addition to what Rami said, I feel that growing up in Lebanon (as most parts of our world) subjugates us to a lot of international cultures at an early age, with a big focus on Western cultures. Lebanese are primarily immigrants in history and numbers, it’s a sad natural part of our lives to seek exciting possibilities wherever possible for us (which is not that easy, nor a simple process regardless of your credentials). As for the Netherlands itself, it’s definitely been a kind and welcoming place, with a lot of experiences for which I’m very grateful.
Thank you for your answers! I will follow the progress of the band and keep my fingers crossed!
Thank you, Zoltán! We truly appreciate your thoughtful questions, which reflect a genuine interest in our music and in us as the people behind it. We’re excited about the future and look forward to more collaborations together.