Egypt – A Lost Gem of Late '80s Metal

Today we’re staying in the UK, just fast-forward around 6 years to the release of Egypt's self-titled album, Egypt. Egypt was founded in London (there’s some conflicting data on this—some sources say 1984, others say 1987), and was made up of a few well-known names Egypt's original lineup first gathered in a squat in Shepherds Bush, London, in 1987, although the backstory starts just before, when bassist Alan Fish (ex-Groundhogs) and drummer Clive Bunker (ex-Jethro Tull) were asked to record the first album for the new HTD Records label (now Talking Elephant Records). Also involved was Don Greer (ex-Bachman Turner Overdrive). Early on, Clive had to step away due to scheduling conflicts, and Don moved back to the U.S. temporarily but later returned to cover live shows. Alan continued searching for new members and eventually met drummer Peter Chichon. Guitarist Eric Chipulina joined soon after, and with the addition of vocalist Ryka, the lineup for Egypt was complete. Together, they recorded the first album, produced by NWOBHM pioneer Paul Samson, in 1988 and completed a brief UK tour.

The first album showcases a sound that’s distinct from Egypt's later blues-rock direction. With a tight recording and gigging schedule, much of the material was hastily composed or drawn from various genres and projects, creating a unique blend of thrash, classic metal, and North African and Andalusian influences (reminding of the Artillery's "By Inheritance" at times) —hence the name Egypt. The label HTD (now Talking Elephant Records) was inspired by the track Find A Way, which features an Egyptian-sounding riff, and suggested the name. Although the band hesitated, they ultimately adopted it.

Released in 1988, Egypt received airplay on national radio, including the Radio One Rock Show and Channel 4, and was featured on Radio Caroline. However, distribution challenges through EMI subsidiary Supertrack led to delays in reaching stores, causing the band to lose momentum. Ryka left shortly after, later working on a solo project called Sine; Chichon departed as well and later found success with Breed 77. Ironically, bootleg copies of Egypt circulated soon after, reportedly selling well.

The album itself is one-of-a-kind, with the first three tracks, especially Metal Ships, setting a high bar. This track is a thrash-metal highlight, packed with inventive guitar work and a distinctive sound. The band showcases their skill by fusing the spirit of NWOBHM and the, at the time very popular, thrash metal style - also leaving a ballad in the album. Ryka delivers a masterclass in heavy metal vocals, and Eric Chipulina’s guitar work alongside Chichon and Fish’s rhythm section make for an impressive lineup.

Egypt - Egypt

The production on Egypt gives it a warm, atmospheric quality, enhancing its exotic vibe. Across the nine tracks, the band skillfully combines various influences, including NWOBHM and thrash, with nods to North African motifs. If you need a reference to more modern bands, tracks like Crazy remind of Germany’s Mechanic Tyrants. Though distribution and promotion challenges may have kept Egypt from reaching the heights of other bands at the time, this album is a hidden gem, offering high replay value for any metal enthusiast looking for a unique listening experience. Enjoy!