The Story So Far

Bouq is the brain child of the multi-instrumentalist Muhannad Bursheh who is the driving force behind the well known Jordanian bands Tyrant Throne & Augury. The one-man band was previously known as "Phex" between 2001-2007, and later briefly as "Einherjer Rising". During that period, just like M Bursheh’s other bands, the project managed to become one of the most renowned metal acts in the region with 3 demos & a solid album; "Transfixion". In late 2007, a positively unstable period in the band's journey began with lots of changes occurring in musical style, lyrical concepts, and the band name, which after changing twice finally settled on "Bouq" (ancient/classical Arabic for "war horn"). Through Horned Helmet Productions, Bouq will soon release the long anticipated new album "Berserk". Shortly prior to that, the full-length "Ascending from Transfixion" will be released which is a re-issue of the 2005 Phex album "Transfixion".

Time-Line:
2001: (Early) The one-man project was started by Muhannad Bursheh
2001: First effort; electronic demo "Experiments 00-01" (Never Distributed)
2002: October, "The Black Vision" Demo (Never Distributed)
2003: February, "Spirits and Devils" Demo (Very limited release)
2005: July, "Transfixion" album released
2006: Phex plays live gigs with the help of session members
2007: (Late) Project name changed from "Phex" to "Einherjer Rising"
2008: Preparing 2nd full-length album
2009: Recording, mixing & mastering of the new album "Berserk"
2009: (Late) Project name changed again, finally settling on "Bouq"
2010: Preparing "Transfixion" re-issue release - "Ascending from Transfixion"
2010: Preparing new album release - Berserk

Personal Statement (Muhannad Bursheh):
Bouq has shifted between different styles & genres through out the years; from electronic music on "Experiments 00-01 (Demo 2001)" and groove death metal on "Transfixion (CD 2005)" during the Phex days to a more unique, experimental and highly influential current style that I like to call "Dark/Black Metal". Lyrically, the direction goes towards mythological themes & ancient history from around the world. On each album, the focus will be set on 1 ancient culture, for example, the album "Berserk" concentrates on themes from northern barbaric and heathen tribal cultures, while for the albums that follow my vision is to focus on ancient civilizations of the Middle East.
 

Bouq is

Muhannad Bursheh:
Electric/Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Flute, Programming, Keys, Percussion, Drums
 

Date of Birth:
September 16th, 1985

Current Bands:
Bouq, Tyrant Throne, Augury, Apokalyte

Previous Bands/Musical Projects:
NMC Orchestra (1999-2007), Walpurgis (2000-2002),
NMC Winds Band (1997-2004)

Appeared As a Session/Guest Member in:
Soulbleed, Orjuwan, Bilocate, Dragonrider

Other Projects (Not Bands):
Horned Helmet Productions (Label & Studio)
The Phexagon Studio (2006-2009)

Favorite Einherjer Rising Track(s):
Heathen, Berserk - The Grand Raven Feast,
Jormungander, Desrever Alumrof Ecnetsixe, ...

Favorite Metal Musicians:
Satyr, Ihsahn, Quorthon, Galder, Erik Rutan, Alex Webster, Andy La Roque, Abbath, Karl Sanders, Ares, ...

Current Bands on My Play-list:
Aeternus, Primordial, Satyricon, Bathory, Melechesh, Immortal, Graveland, Dawn, Falkenbach, Old Man's Child, Manowar, Helrunar, Emperor, Wardruna, Carpathian Forest, Empyrium, Mithotyn, Darkthrone, Morbid Angel, Thorns, Dissection, Nile, Silencer, Ancient Wisdom, Absu, Death ...

Other Favorite Musicians:
Richard Wagner, Johan Strauss II, Johan Sebastian Bach, Basil Poledouris, Howard Shore, Ludwig van Beethoven

Other Musical Interests:
Ancient Folk, Symphonic Music, Ambient/Electronic,  Soundtracks, Old PC Games Midi Soundtracks

Interests:
My Late Dog "Vodka", Music & Audio Engineering, Assyria, Mythology, Barbarian & Heathen Warriors, Ancient History & Civilizations, Paganism, Cosmos, Outer Space, Ancient Battle Instruments, Nature, Spiritualism, Philosophy, Fantasy, Archaeology, Japanese Anime, Winter, Soccer, Reading, Video Games...

Equipment:
Guitars: Hamer Slammer
G. Effects: Marshall MG100HDFX Overdrive
G. Amps: Marshall MG100HDFX Head/Cabinet
Basses: 5 Str. ESP F-5E/4 Str. Yamaha RBX260
B. Amps: Samick 125W/Marshall MB25MK.II
Acoustic Guitar: Quintana 025 Concerto (by Fender)
AG. Amps: Marshall Acoustic AS50R
Microphones: Shure SM58/AT2020 Condenser
Flute: Yamaha Silver Head 925
Drums: Roland TD-20KB/Ibex Acoustic Drums
Percussion: TD-20 Timpanies & More

Personal Discography:
2001 Experiments 00-01 [Demo] - Phex
2002 The Black Vision [Demo] - Phex
2003 Spirits and Devils [Demo] - Phex
2004 Temptation of Oath [Demo/EP] - Augury
2005 Transfixion [CD] - Phex
2005 Augury/Natan [Split CD] - Augury
2007 Abominations [EP] - Tyrant Throne
2008 Echoes in Eternity [CD] - Soulbleed
2010 Ascending from Transfixion [CD] - Bouq
2010 Berserk [CD] - Bouq
 

Guest/Session Contributors
(Guest album appearances & contributions / session live performances)

Waseem EsSayyed (Bilocate, Orjuwan)

- Performed as a guest keyboardist on some tracks from the album "Berserk"

- Co-composed some of the keyboard parts he performed on the album

Rami Haikal (Bilocate)

- Guest guitar solo on "Jormungander" on "Berserk" album

Stephanie Ni'was

- Performed additional female chanting on "Heathen" on "Berserk" album

Sirenwave (Sirenwave, Apokalyte, sw, Asphalt Annihilation, Scapegoat, ...)

- 2 guest guitar solos on "Watching Your Death" on "Transfixion" album

- Programming on "Transfixion" album

- Co-production, Mixing, Editing & Mastering Engineer of "Transfixion" album

- Live Bass, Live Backing Vocals, Live Guitar (2006)

Basil Bursheh (Augury)

- Played Keys on "Chords of Demise" on "Spirits and Devils" demo

- Played Synth & Keys on "Fires of Demise" on "Transfixion" album

- Live Guitar (2006)

Zaher Siryani (Tyrant Throne, Violent Strike)

- Guest guitar solo on "Watching Your Death" on "Transfixion" album

- Live Guitar (2006)

Omar Nooreddin (Augury)

- Played Guitar on the song "Burgor" on "Spirits and Devils" demo
- Co-composed a guitar riff on the track "Jormungander" on "Berserk" album

Saeed Abu-Jaber (Augury)

- Backing Vocals on the song "Burgor" on "Spirits and Devils" demo

Johnny Marzouka (sw+Zamborgar)

- Live Samplers & Digital Effects (2006)