The band (from l to r) : Barney, James, and Vin Diesel--oh, wait. . .Rami

Hey Nervecell, you're from the UAE right? In Dubai?

Barney: Nervecell is a Dubai based band, we the members are not from here though, we are each originally from different countries consisting of Lebanon, India and Jordan.

You've performed in Desert Rock with Sepultura, Machine Head, and Megadeth; played in Egypt; done a tour in Australia and are slotted for a festival gig in Europe. How much hard work has the band put into its every success?

B: It's a constant job man, you need to realize that we are a self-funded/ self financed band that lives in an area where metal music is completely ignored. As a metal band that's based here it's an even bigger challenge. It is indeed hard work but this is all we do and this is all we ever want to do. We are always writing music and keeping ourselves up to date with the metal communities around the world. You know just because the media does not support metal music here that is not going to stop us in making music and doing what we want. We are really proud to be recognized as the metal band of the Middle East who is taking that extra step to go out there and prove that metal music is indeed global and alive and well even in the Middle East.

Rami: I personally think it's the music and passion that matters. Hard work comes after naturally. If you're true to yourself you will achieve anything you want. For me back in 2005 it was literally a dream come true to play with Sepultura and Machine Head, meet them in person and hang out! I grew up listening to them and they influenced me musically. With the other shows and tours that followed it was our goal to move out and spread our music to the world. We wanted to do what no other band did in this region, especially when you have no backup neither by a label or a management, doing it all by ourselves was lots of work but even more fun and you learn a lot too.

What was Desert Rock like? Can you describe the stage, the crowds, the moshing, and all the other crazy shit that happened? Please?

B: It was awesome man, you know for us its like playing to the home crowd whom we don't play for ever so often as well. So yeah it was great to come back and play the festival for the second time especially since a lot of the new songs were played here for the first time. So it was exciting for the band as well as for the fans. The stage was massive man, you could probably play a game of football on there!

R: Dubai Desert Rock Festival is one of my favorites simply cos it's the biggest metal festival in the Middle East and it's home for us. To play on that stage with such awesome bands is really a privilege. The Dubai crowd is amazing and very supportive. Both times we played in 2005 and 2008 I had loads of fun. This year the stage was like three times bigger than the last time we played in 2005. Absolutely killer! You can fit half of the crowd onstage, hahaha!

Do you ever feel that being a band from the Middle East already draws attention to your group? And to elaborate on this question, do current Western perceptions of the region ever burden the band and its music, as if you have a lot to prove?

R: Lots of people hear our music and they dig it, and when they know we're located in the Middle East they then wanna know more about us which is cool. Also some wonder ‘How come you guys play metal in that part of the world?' and I simply think it's stupid for that they don't know that there are musicians and metal fans just like them all over the world. Some do stereotype us, maybe due to their lack of knowledge or judging upon what they see in the media and I think its just ignorance on their part. But the majority is very normal about it and I think that's how it should be, it's all about the music.

B: Well yes and no really. Yes for the fact that people go like ‘Wow, you guys kick arse and you are from the Middle East, what's up with that?' It's more like a shock to them as they can't digest the fact that we live here and play the same sort of music that they dig and have been listening to for years.

‘Preaching Venom', your new album, has very cool cover art. Is its overall theme aimed at anyone or any mindset in particular or is it just an album that reeks of sonic brutality?

B: Well the album is about those particular individuals who have the authority to encourage and influence the people of today to believe and do things in ways that they desire, basically they use this status that they have to misinterpret or perhaps brainwash the innocent. So when you look at the artwork you will see that it's based around this concept that there will come a day when these guys will eventually have no place to hide anymore and will be openly exposed for all the injustice they have committed.

R: It's not really a theme, but Dennis (artist) did an awesome job delivering the message of the album with his art. He's amazing when it comes to photo manipulation artwork.

By the way, are you familiar with the local species of snake you have in your country?

B: Yeah we do, but there really isn't much to see out here unless you travel deep into the deserts.

What took longer for your second album, the writing or the recording?

B: The writing of the music of course, we recorded the album in just about two months but we have been writing music for the album over the last three years.

This is a very generic question, but how much does the new album improve on the flaws of its predecessor, your debut, ‘Human Chaos'?

B: Well I think the main fact is that we dealt with professionals on the production of the new album. I mean we got in Dave Haley of Psyrcoptic to fill in on the drums and he absolutely delivered. Also we got the album to be mixed in Poland at Hertz Studios, which is the same place where bands like Vader and Decapitated did their albums in. We got Alan Douches who has worked with legendry bands such as Sepultura and Nile to master the album. So yeah, we did not want to compromise this time around and went all out to make sure it stands there amongst all other great albums internationally.

R: Musically it's much more brutal, technical, and diverse than our previous CD ‘Human Chaos'. Still has lots of melodies, Arabic/Oriental feel to it yet with lots of hooks and groove. As Barney said we colaborated with different people, and coordinated with them pretty well. It was great to work with them all.

What did you like the most about ‘Human Chaos'?

B: The fact that it did so well based on self-promotion and absolutely no media support, we were quite shocked really by the feedback we got from the EP worldwide. I guess it made us realize that we have something special and that we should try and pursue our music further, and that's exactly what we did.

R: We all worked hard and took a lot of time in writing, arranging and recording this album. It featured older songs and newer ones since we started as a band. It brought lots of attention from the underground local scene and international metal scene and really proved to us a lot of great things.

Is money ever a problem with the band? Have budget constraints ever limited the band's recording time or touring capability?

B: Money is always a problem, as you can imagine an extreme metal band living in the Middle East is really an awkward situation. We really don't make any money but we believe strongly that one day all our hard work will all pay off. We actually only recorded five tracks on the Human Chaos EP because we couldn't afford a sixth track so there you go - a classic story!

When did each of you become metalheads and how long did it take before any of you picked up instruments and decided to join bands?

R: I started playing the guitar at the age of nine, I was self taught. When I was around thirteen I started listening to bands like Megadeth, Metallica, Sepultura and many more.

B: I actually learnt the guitar because I wanted to play in a rock band right from the start. I was about 12 and when I reached like 14 I discovered thrash metal and the rest is history.

Barney, being the only original member who's been behind Nervecell since 2000, what led to the successive lineup changes in the band's early years?

B: I don't know man. It was weird. Most of the members left for their own reasons, back then no one took the band seriously. I still keep in touch with a couple of them and you know I can sense that most of them feel really weird talking to me, simply because you know we have taken the band to such a high level today and personally to me it's unbelievable so you can imagine how shocked the ex members are especially as they were a part of this band at one point. That being said I'm really honored to have such talented and committed guys like Rami and James (bass) to be a part of the band, we are almost like a family now that I think of it.

Where can you buy copies of Metal Maniacs, Metal Edge, Metal Hammer, and basically any other metal publication in your hometown?

B: At any magazine store or music store, they used to be hard to get like 10 years ago but now almost everything is sold here which is great. Finally!

Do the people in Dubai like to party?

B: If you mean dance to house, electro, rhythm n' blues, hip hop, trance and all that other happy stuff then YEAH!

R: Yes indeed, but no one parties like we do...with metal!

Would you happen to have any Filipino fans there in the UAE?

B: Hell yeah, man! We have a huge Filipino community here in Dubai and yes, a lot of them dig our tunes.

R: I have few Filipino friends and most of them are into metal, very supportive dudes too!

How strong is UAE metal compared to its counterparts across the Middle East?

B: Honestly we are the only band out here representing metal music in Dubai. There are a couple of other bands in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, etc. doing their thing but we are probably the only band in the Gulf region who are breaking the red tape and taking our music places by going on tours and headlining festivals overseas.

Do you know Wasted Land? They got featured on CNN a few weeks ago on ‘Inside the Middle East'. Why were they on CNN representing Middle East metal and not Nervecell?

B: I have no clue, CNN were probably on location perhaps in Saudi and decided to do that. It's actually quite good for them and we are really happy for the guys. Its not about who represents Middle East metal, it's about educating the ignorant out there that metal is global and sees no boundaries, its important that people learn to accept that.

R: Yes I know the band, met at a gig in 2006 in Dubai. Good to know they went on CNN, not the best media channel in delivering a true message, but still good publicity for them.

Will Nervecell ever tour in Israel?

B: The question is will Israel even want us there in the first place?

R: You mean Palestine?

What's the Mo'alya Traditional Khaliji Band?

B: No idea.

R: It's a traditional 'exotic' dance performed in some Gulf countries. Not really metal, haha.

Nervecell hasn't had a permanent drummer in the longest time. What are the qualifications the band is looking for in a drummer?
R: A drummer who's experienced and will be able to play Nervecell's songs flawlessly, to be serious and passionate with what he does, and does not have any drinking problems.

How many emirates are there in the United Arab Emirates?

B: Seven.

Thanks Nervecell. You know what? We have this yearly rock event- arguably the biggest in South East Asia- called Sumer Slam. Bands from all across the region have played performed in it. Maybe someday you'll be the headliner but until then, on your latest tour abroad what do each of you intend to pack in your luggage?

R: You're welcome. That would be awesome to visit there and play the festival! Hmmm, what would I take? Pretty much clothes, my iPod, a pair of shoes, my gear, mobile phone and enough money to eat and buy some souvenirs.

B: Clothes, cash, CD's - yeah, that's about it for me!

STAY HEAVY