Customer Reviews

A Tribal Metamorphosis

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

From what I understand, Pentaphobe is a collaboration between Rachel Brice and some industrial musician friends of hers. If you don't know Rachel Brice, or you've never seen her dance this album will be lost on you.These songs were designed to accompany her tribal bellydance performances in an industrial/goth nightclub. The songs are dark and haunting, edgy, and earthy all at once. To that end, this album is nothing short of genius. Most people will never give it a second listen, but if you've seen Rachel and her troupe The Indigo dance, you may begin to experience the music differently. Those who claim you cannot dance to this do not see the potential in the music. When I first listened to the CD I responded the same way most people do...I didn't really connect with it. It seemed very harsh, dark, and noisy. But now it's one of my very favorite cd's. If you are looking for bellydance music and you aren't familiar with American Tribal, Goth Tribal, Urban Tribal, The Indigo, and Rachel Brice, you probably won't like it. Get Rachel Brice's DVD or see her performances on Bellydance Superstars, and then try to listen to the album. YOu may be surprised at how much it grows on you!

This is not music for ATS, pure tribal (FCBD style) belly dance. Yes that is Rachel Brice on the cover, which should tell you what kind of fusion this is good for (Go watch Rachel dance at www.rachelbrice.com if you haven't seen her yet. Her style is very different than Fat Chance). Pentaphobe composed this music for her. It's good music, interesting and danceable but it is NOT traditional tribal music. It's very modern, club-style music. You can dance to this, but if you're looking for traditional tribal, there are better recordings out there.

Liner note is helpful for describing their intentions with this recording: "Pentaphobe was asked to create music that would complement Rachel Brice's fusion style, and at the same time be appropriate for a performance in an industrial nightclub. A Tribal Metamorphosis is a collection of tunes inspired by traditional Middle Eastern rhythms, and the karass that is the American Tribal Belly Dance community."

The problem with most of the reviews for this album is that the average listener wanted it to be something it's not.
It is Bellydance music, it is Gothic Tribal music, but it's not what you would expect.

Somebody said it's not like Rai. Ofcourse not - Rai is, in effect, algerian blues. This is industrial electronica.
The first thing one must do when listening to Sa'Iyr is open their mind and push out any preconcieved notions you might have about what makes something Bellydance music.

In my opinion, this album is genius. I personally find it incredibly enjoyable, and do not dislike any one of the tracks.
It's less like 'Mid-eastern Bellydance' and more like 'Mid-eastern Industrial Goth'

The styling is most similar to that of Squarepusher, Autochre, Aphex Twin, and the like. If you like urban or industrial music, techno, electronica, and have an interest in middle eastern culture, dance or music, you probably will find your home in this album.

first of all this CD is absolutely GORGEOUS! yes its a bit dark, but its haunting and melodic. also remember this is tribal metamorphosis...which means its tribal music taken to another level. this is not traditional or cabaret style....it is industrial tribal. i have found that it is EXCELENT for dancing to, especially if you are practicing slow taxim work. if you want to do fast shimmies this is not the CD for you, but if you are looking for something to practice slow tribal undulating movements and taxims to then this is perfect! the music is beautiful and takes me on a spiritual journey of ecstasy.

oh and just a heads up, the first few songs are probably the most industriall and unique...once you get about 3 tracks in they start incorporating more traditional rythms and instruments. this CD is fantastic, one of the best purchases I've made all year :)

As a traditional doumbek player, I was suprised by how heavy this album is influenced by traditional forms, even though an amount of liberty is taken in their playing. While the sounds that this artist uses are not normal, his patterning and style are quite traditional. This album has a strangeness I am not used to, but I am finding that I enjoy it more each time I listen to it. It is most interesting.

even if it doesnt suit your dance style, its wonderful to simply play in the background, which might help you to eventually connect with the music. there arent any lyrics, so it doesnt distract or annoy (thank gaaawd!). im often disappointed with cds because i will only enjoy a few tracks at most, but this one is a winner. i enjoy listening to it all the way through. alot of my friends seem to enjoy this cd as well, because they often inquire about it. most of which are not bellydancers. id love to hear a few of the tracks in clubs around town. hopefully i will. i love this cd. what more can i say? listen to the samples!

"Sa'Iyr a Tribal Metamorphosis" is a unique and interesting album. I'd categorize it as a rare mix of industrial/ambient techno and new age/Middle Eastern neo-folk. Pentaphobe tries to bring a lot of sounds to the table in "Sa'Iyr", and for the most part, it's an engaging experience. I am particularly satisfied with the songs "I Cash Radii" and "Cybelle" in which Pentaphobe combines traditional Middle Eastern folk sounds with industrial samples, such as rattling metal, to produce a powerful blend of smooth but intense rhythms. I'm not sure if anyone could bellydance to this music aside from Rachel Brice, but it can be appreciated by less flexible people as a singular collection of music. Plus, it's worth it to buy the album just for the picture of the inimitable Rachel Brice on the cover.

I really dig this CD, however it's not going to be to everyone's liking. If you're looking for traditional or classic "belly dance" music it probably won't appeal to you. But if you enjoy something more unique, more raw, this is it. I find it to be much like Rachel Brices dancing, kind of dark, urban, experimental. Like a gypsy of the future or some outerspace love goddess. I love the use of raw materials as instruments. Parts of it make me think of STOMP on a psychedelic trip and some parts incorporate the usual belly dance sounds as well.
I think it's great. It makes me want to move in strange and undiscovered ways.

The more I listen to it the better it gets! Finally a CD that is not predictable there is no faking this one you have to know it to move to it, and there is no loss of passion for it with every replay. I will never get sick of this CD. It is somewhere between meditation and outerworldyness it has taken traditional Tribal music and put it on it's head. It sounds the way Rachel Brice moves, unexpected, strong, dark, and beautiful.

There are so many sounds in this CD that speaks to so many parts of your being, you will move to it in ways you never thought possible, It actually moves you. I suggest you put it on, close your eyes, allow it to take you into a totally different demention of movment. I cannot wait till he produces another one!

On very rare occasions does one experience a truly unique direction in music. Pentaphobe has created a richly textured and multi-layered sound with sophisticated use of rhythm and sampling. Each piece generates a complex and engaging atmosphere. The only problem that I can see with this album is one of categorising it. The use of Middle Eastern Rhythms, live insruments, voice, sampling and electronic sound are only the starting point for a sound that is evocative of many styles but ultimately too original for any pigeon hole.
Working in the area of performance and physical theatre I can imagine any of the tracks on this CD to be perfect material for supporting live performance and film. I eagerly await the next work by this groundbreaking artist.