Ostura
Ostura | |
|---|---|
| Native name | أسطورة |
| Origin | Lebanon |
| Genres | Cinematic Progressive Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Symphonic Metal, Oriental Metal |
| Years active | 2009-Present |
| Labels | Universal Music MENA |
| Associated acts | Ayreon, Toehider, Thomas Lang, Amadeus Awad |
| Website | osturaband |
Ostura (Arabic أسطورة "Legend") is a Lebanese Cinematic Progressive Metal band from Keserwan, Lebanon. The band was originally formed in 2009, and consists of Elia Monsef (producer, lead vocals), Danny Bou-Maroun (producer, keyboards, orchestration), Youmna Jreissati (lead vocals), Alain Ibrahim (guitars), Dan Veall (Bass), Alexander Abi Chaker (live drums). The band got signed to Universal Music MENA in 2018.[1]
History[edit]
Formation and Ashes of the reborn and reformation (2009-2013)[edit]
In late 2009 Ostura was formed by Danny Bou-Maroun, Elie Hnein, and Chris Naimeh. They were later joined by the three singers Elia Monsef, Tony Ghanem, and Youmna Jreissati. The band entered the recording studio in 2010 and eventually released the debut titled “Ashes of the Reborn” independently in 2012. The album featured 3 singers, and it told a fantasy story in a Power Metal Opera fashion in the style of Avantasia, and Stratovarius. The initial lineup never made it through to the release of the album, and only Bou-Maroun, Monsef, Ghanem, and Jreissati remained in the band. In 2012, the band recruited new members due to the departure of Naimeh and Hnein. Guitarist Alain Ibrahim of Lebanese Progressive Metal band “Turbulence” was replaced Hnein. Drummer Alexander Abi Chaker replaced Naimeh on Drums, and Marcelino Said was hired to play Bass.[2]
The Room (2013-Present)[edit]
Production[edit]
The Room is a complex production with performers from 12 countries alongside the core band and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The recording includes a chamber quintet, ethnic instruments, live percussion, solo instruments, and synthesizers. All vocal recordings, guitars, choirs, ethnic and classical instruments were recorded at the The Citadel studios in Dlebta, Lebanon.[3]
Drum Recording and Guests[edit]
Drummer Alexander Abi Chaker had to step down from drum recording, after he had been working on the drum parts together with the Monsef and Bou-Maroun, due to work obligations. Ostura called upon world famous Drummer Thomas Lang (Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Williams, among many others) to handle the Drum recording. Michael Mills (Toehider, Ayreon) on vocals, Dan Veall on Bass, Marco Sfogli (James Labrie, Icefish, Jordan Rudess among others) on Lead Guitar and prog artist Arjen Lucassen, as well as Turkish guitarist Ozgur Abbak.[4]
Post-Production[edit]
The mixing and mastering was done by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Symphony x, Haken, Between The Buried And Me)[5]
Musical Style[edit]
Ostura play a combination of styles that could be summarized under the Cinematic Progressive Metal sub-genre, or Cinematic Prog for short. Their music features odd time signatures, dynamic tempo changes, cinematic atmospheres, cinematic sounds, industrial sounds, symphonic elements, heavy guitars, syncopated drums, and clean vocals.
Ostura’s sound has been compared to that of Ayreon, Dream Theater, Nightwish, and Symphony X among others.[6]
Discography[7][edit]
Studio Albums[edit]
- Ashes of the Reborn (2012)
- The Room (2018)
Band members[8][edit]
|
Current members
|
References[edit]
- ↑ "Artists - Universal Music MENA". Universal Music MENA. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
- ↑ "Ostura - Ashes of the Reborn - Reviews - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com.
- ↑ "Ostura - The Room". Power Of Metal.dk. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
- ↑ "Ostura The Room Review".
- ↑ aorwxm. "Ostura - 'The Room' Album Review".
- ↑ "Ostura – The Room". The Progressive Aspect – TPA.
- ↑ "Ostura Discography".
- ↑ "Ostura - The Room (Album Review)". www.sonicperspectives.com. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
External links[edit]
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