Origins

It all starts in 1999. As the idea starts to dominate the mind of Sherief Askar; the use of folk instruments alongside the metal arsenal of sounds. Askar decides to explore newer horizons and to unleash his musical abilities in the right path. He was unable to do so alone, so he had to recruit members to proceed with the plan.

This resulted in the creation of a band named 'ODIOUS'. Shorty after the band was assembled, a demo was written. And shortly after recording the members that Sherief has recruited have all agreed to change the genre of the music from Oriental Doom to Black Metal.

When Askar disagrees with such modifications to his own project he decides to part ways with the rest of the members. Unfortunately this departure was not done peacefully or on any good terms; as the current members denied Sherief's credits and all his efforts, and the music written.

A full ten year freeze from the local scene that had already been deteriorating, was Askar's action. And though he halted his activities playing live, his persistance motivated him to continue what he had started, through writing tons of other material in the original direction he had chose to start with.

Dawning

It wasn't until 2008 when Askar discovered the phenomenal abilities of Khaled El-Shazli. He noticed that Shazli had very unique writing skills & unparalleled vocalizing abilities to the extent that other musicians thought he had his vocals running through a series of effects! The couple decided to team up and pursue a more serious method. They worked though for a year and by 2009 after Askar & Shazli agreed to several issues concerning the band, they finally reached their decision and NATHYR was officially born.

2009 was a crucial turning point when a call out for a keyboard player took place, and through one of the ads Fady Maher responded and agreed to meet for a chat. Maher met Askar & Shazli for the first time and was very pleased with the material that he vowed the very same night to join the masquerade and light a candle along with the others.

Years rolled by until Askar decides to move back to Alexandria and was determined to find the remaining members that will soon complete the Nathyrian Horde. October of 2012, was the month that the 3 missing links were found. Baher Ali, Emad Saad & Mostafa Hammady filled in for Lead guitar, drums and Bass guitars respectively.

Walkthrough

The sextet revealed their abilities and began recording their first album titled 'As the Legacy Unveils'. During the recording process, Nathyr's debut appearance was at a Cairo based event/concert called 'Walls of Death' where the band played their first 3 originals titled 'The Lords Of Wargasm','A Diabolical Cane', & 'Al-Taghoot'. Followed by their participation in the 1st W.O.A. in Egypt, where they played the same three tracks, adding a new one titled 'The Malignant Blight'.

The lyrical concept of the band, is a mere deliberation over middle-eastern and Arab cultural aspects, conflicts and struggles, masquerading as fictional tales as well as epic battles and wars taking place in an Arab/middle-eastern atmosphere.

During the summer of 2013, Ali & Saad decided to part ways with the band and by early 2014 two replacements took place. Gaber Shemony was appointed the lead guitars and Islam Ismail on drums. The two have pumped more life into the music. Quality, groove & originality have undoubtedly soared after their joining. Sadly,the drummer was replaced twice. We are currently recruiting a new drummer and bassist.

In July 2015, the debut album 'As The Legacy Unveils' was successfully completed and released on major online platforms.

It all started with a jam.

In 2008, the first two members of the band, Ragy Haddad(Guitarist) and Emad Hanna (bassist), met and found a musical chemistry as they jammed, so they decided to form "the band". Later on that year, Wadie Nader joined the band as its drummer as previously agreed upon with Ragy.

6 months after that collaboration of guitar, bass and drums, they felt they still needed more notes to fill the gaps between their lines, so they all agreed that no one could do it better than Tarek Hussein as the band's keyboardist.

By the end of 2009, they felt like they needed a vocalist to input more energy to the music, Ragy had seen Belal Moh. Ali a couple of times at the studio he used to jam at, he contacted him, and they were surprised he had such harmony with their music even though he was originally a heavy metal vocalist.

Though the vocals and instruments were present, they still needed some flavor to their music, and that's when Ahmed Nasser(the violinist) and Shady Samir(the saxophonist) joined them, only then.... they were portraying the sounds of the avenue.

Their gigs started with a mini concert at Wadie's house, then a Halloween party at Montreal Club, the following year the participated in the Egyptians' Got Talent Battle Of The Bands which they eventually won. And last but not least they were the main event in "Phases" that took place in AAST in 2012.

Winners of Red Bull bedroom jam competition across the middle east.

Tafaqum is a metal band from Cairo, Egypt. Better known for the Egyptian Arabic lyrics combined with Metal music. The band was formed in late 2014.

The name Tafaqum | تفاقُم "Worsen in English" is inspired by the misconceptions of the Egyptian society about Metal music having its abnormal customs and traditions.

Tafaqum released its debut album "Tahtel Talab" on May 5th, 2017 under Worsens.

On January 1st, 2018. Tafaqum has received the GMA Awards 2017 "Release Of The Year" from Egypt on their debut album "Tahtel Talab".

The lyrical themes are mainly about life experiences, personal and social issues. And all lyrics are in Egyptian Arabic.

On January 9th, 2018. Magdy decided to change the project's name to be "Tafaqum" or "تفاقُم" in Arabic.

On August 21st, 2018. The band rebooted as a trio, settled on founding member Magdy on drums and vocals, Jonathan on guitars and longtime friend Mohammed Medhat on bass.

On December 5th, 2020. Tafaqum released their new album "Maal Ayam".

On April 30th, 2021. Tafaqum officially announced the joining of their newest member, Mohamed Dawy on guitars.

On January 29th, 2022. Tafaqum officially announced the joining of their newest member, Ashraf Omar on bass.

On February 3rd, 2022. Tafaqum released the first song from the upcoming self-titled album "Elly Fatak".

On February 25th, 2022. Tafaqum released the second song from the upcoming self-titled album "Nafeer".

On May 13th, 2022. Tafaqum released a re-recorded version of "Shayeb Kotshaina" celebrating five years of "Tahtel Talab".

On May 1st, 2026. Tafaqum reunited.