EGYPT advance Cd review

UK – EGYPT
Midnight Sun, Blues Matters! Records BMRCD200310

A moody, mysterious design for this one of the latest ‘own label’ releases and one I have been looking forward to ever since the demo version came my way. Your reviewer is a sucker for the saturnine power trio sound pioneered by Robin Trower and ‘Second Phase’ Groundhogs and lo and behold we have some ex Groundhog personnel aboard in Egypt so believers in the beauty of skilfully used distortion should board now for this trip to mean riffs, impassioned vocals, relentless and lively percussion. Not to mention spiky multitoned guitar playing and ominous bass patterns, the latter courtesy of Alan Fish a mild-mannered guy who pours everything into his music. If you have to label this music we’re in BluesRock territory but these guys would rather create atmospheres than plod – witness the lost-in-the-desert vista for the ears that is “12.01” Masters of mood Roadhouse would surely approve ! Eric Chipulina’s guitar is equal parts insistent rock punch and pure Blues meanness ; whatever drummer Peter Correa picked up in his days as a Groundhog equips him to push this crew along and hold things together, snare work this side of abrasive and plenty forceful. This number must be pretty evil when played live ! “Mean Town Blues” is the old Johnny Winter vehicle and fits into the tracklisting well and one can envisage them moving further in a ‘Johnny Winter And’ direction. I for one hope so as that JW era saw him produce his best original songs and best range. Rather this than revisiting ‘Need Your Love So Bad’ and ‘It Hurts Me Too’ for the umpteenth time as too many bands seem obliged to do. None of that here and the more you listen the more it occurs that Egypt are perhaps bridging the gap between darkest Groundhogs of the ‘Thank Christ’ and ‘Who Will..’ period and the meaty popular appeal of say Bad Company. In other words your mates who ‘don’t like Blues’ might well get a kick from this ? Hard electric music without the Iron Maiden demons&devils tripe has a timeless quality when delivered well and it can move crowds too. Let’s hope Egypt get the chance to do just that. What else ? “Boneshaker” cries out for a female chorus to realise its obvious potential as a club or festival favourite. Oh and Eric is mighty fine slide player…….Pete Sargeant "