BAHRAIN’S original progressive rock band is halfway through recording its eighth album, marking another milestone on their four-decade long journey through rock n’ roll.
Started in 1980, Osiris continues to tell stories about Bahrain’s history through complex musical compositions and seamlessly blended English and Arabic verses.
Their next album will dive further into the human experience covering topics like the passage of time, unfulfilled dreams and the search for a new life, according to band leader Mohammed Al Sadeqi.
“Hopefully, it will be released by the end of the year,” the 66-year-old told the GDN.
“About half of our upcoming eight-track album is already recorded,” added vocalist Sayed Ahmed Ravanbakhsh, 34.
The seven-strong band came together during the 1970s – the heyday of ‘progressive rock’, a type of rock music known for its complex compositions, multiple instruments and changing tempos.
Coming from a music-loving family, Mr Al Sadeqi always enjoyed playing popular songs with his siblings. Their motley crew evolved into a full-fledged band when the brothers began writing their own tunes.
“We wanted to play music that we liked,” said the band’s leader, reflecting on Osiris’ genre choice of ‘prog rock.’
“We have our own sound, a reflection of our culture and traditions, but wrote the lyrics in English to reach a wider audience.”
In 1981, Osiris, which derives its name from the Egyptian god of resurrection, had their first live show at Rabiah Al Adawiya Primary Girls School.
The following year, they released their first album – the self-titled ‘Osiris’. They have since played at countless venues across Bahrain, including the Cultural Hall.
Although they shifted in style and member line-up through the decades, a cult following grew as they produced an extensive discography.
Today, the band is comprised of lead guitarist Mohammed Al Sadeqi, drummer Nabil Al Sadeqi, vocalist Mr Ravanbakhsh, bassist Hadi Saeed, and three keyboardists Abdulrazzaq Arian, Nader Sharif, and Khalid Al Shamlan.
In an instrument-packed room within the memorabilia-bedecked walls of Nabil Al Sadeqi’s home studio in Tubli, the septet meet every week to rehearse and compose.
Although their first album had a conventional sound, Osiris changed gears in the second one, introducing Bahraini traditional rhythms and history.
The concept live album ‘Tales of the Divers’ chronicles a pearling expedition in a series of 12 songs, starting with the moment a diver leaves home and ending with his return to land after a harrowing adventure.
The immersive odyssey opens with a ‘nahham’ chorus - a ballad sung by pearl divers to raise morale. It is followed by a medley of European electronic harmonies and Bahraini acoustic beats, overlaid with spoken poetry in the Bahraini dialect.
The album was recorded during a two-night show at the Gulf Hotel Convention and Spa featuring Al Wehda Traditional Youth Band’s authentic Arabic score. The set-list in its entirety has never been performed again since those two memorable nights.
Their 2007 comeback record ‘Visions from the Past’ had a similar motif but took a more surreal approach to Bahrain’s maritime legacy, narrated through the point of view of an old man.
Although their live performances continued, the band did not go back into the recording studio until their 2020 offering ‘Take a Closer Look.’
“It was difficult to maintain continuity because many members had to leave for other pursuits,” the band leader explained. “Now, we have a stable line-up and it’s been easier to focus on our music.”
Although the band has been relatively obscure globally, it developed a passionate following in Europe and its discography has since been re-released by Musea Records, a French progressive rock label.
Osiris also has attracted a younger generation of dedicated fans in Bahrain. Guitarist Hameed Al Saeed, for example, from the renowned Bahraini act Majaz, lists the band as one of his influences.
“As a member of the early 2000s band scene, Osiris had a mythical status among us,” said 29-year-old musician and song-writer Ali Milad. “It was difficult to access their music or attend their rare live shows, so we would always try to get our hands on their songs or have someone tell us stories about them.
“Knowing that there were bonafide Bahraini rock musicians before me made me feel I was not alone.”
zainab@gdn.com.bh
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