Rami Mustafa, guitarist for Dubai-based Nervecell, is featured in Rolling Stone Middle East discussing some of '90s death and thrash metal songs that influenced his playing. An excerpt from his list is available below:

"Fall From Grace” - Morbid Angel

Mustafa: "My first death metal music experience, and what a great introduction to the genre. Perfect old school-meets-modern sound. Ahead of its time, for sure."

“Tornado Of Souls” - Megadeth

Mustafa: "I’m not a big fan of Dave Mustaine’s singing, but there’s no doubt he’s a great guitarist and songwriter. This song is fast, has tons of fantastic thrashy guitar riffs, and a killer solo. Marty Friedman is a big inspiration to me."

“D.N.R (Do Not Resuscitate)” - Testament

Mustafa: "This album, The Gathering, was such a great comeback after so long away. When it was released in 1999, I remember my friend bought it and called me up. I went over to his house at 10 a.m! We listened to it over and over for pretty much the whole day. Oh, and Dave Lombardo of Slayer is on drums. It doesn’t get any better."

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Nervecell recently announced announce their union with Unique Leader Records. Spawned in 2000 as one of the first extreme metal bands to emerge from Dubai, UAE, and having toured alongside legendary metal acts such as Metallica, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Decapitated and Suffocation, Nervecell are true torchbearers for a Middle Eastern wave of metal.

Comments the band of joining Unique Leader's expanding roster of brutality: "We are very excited to announce that we have signed with Unique Leader for a worldwide multi-album deal. As a Middle East-based extreme metal band, we have constantly strived to take our music to all ends of the world and as a record label specializing in extreme metal, we couldn't be more pleased to begin this new relationship. The new record is currently being worked on and we can't wait to bring the chaos live to a stage near you soon!"  

Nervecell released their debut full-length, Preaching Venom, in 2009 via Germany's Lifeforce Records (Europe) and Spellbind Records (Middle East) followed by their Psychogenocide long player just two years later. Their unique blend of Middle Eastern death/thrash and a reputation for debilitating action-packed live performances helped pave their way to playing some of Europe's most renowned festivals including Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Rock AM Ring, Rock IM Park, Summer Breeze and Brutal Assault.

For information and updates on Nervecell go to this location.