Al Tase3: The Lebanese Band Finding Common Ground Between Metal & Oud

In the sprawling landscape of Levantine alternative rock, fusion is nothing new, yet few bands manage to fuse opposing musical worlds without losing their raw edge. One such is Al Tase3, an independent Lebanese outfit carving out an original sound they call ‘Metal Oud’. Operating within Beirut’s underground scene, the group takes the sacred, melancholic intimacy of traditional Arabic tarab and drives a spike of heavy distortion of metal rock, straight through it. Their sound is deeply rooted in Levantine heritage, drawing direct inspiration from classic icons like Wadih El Safi, Melhem Barakat, and Ziad Rahbani. Rather than treating these influences as nostalgic relics, Al Tase3 uses them as raw material, plugging the microtonal soul of Eastern music into heavy amplifier stacks.

The project’s origins are literal: starting as a raw jamming setup between members Ali, Jawad, and Tarek, the group rehearsed high above the city on a ninth-floor balcony in Beirut, a detail that birthed their name, Al Tase3. Over time, the moniker took on a deeper, cyclical identity. Coinciding with the release of their self-produced debut album - featuring artwork of a pregnant woman in her ninth month - the name evolved into a symbol of gestation, labor, and creative rebirth. Yet, the core breakthrough for the band came from asking a simple question: Why not make something genuinely metal out of traditional Arabic scales?

To achieve that harmony and find that common ground, the band leaned on sheer experimentation, self-taught techniques, and community knowledge to capture their signature sound, a balance of aggressive riffs, intricate ornamentation, and tarab-infused soul. Now, with plans to elevate their production value and hit international showcase festivals, Al Tase3 is ready to take their self-made Levantine heavy metal far beyond Beirut's borders.

At Oakenfest 2026 in Northern Lebanon, we caught up with the six members of Al Tase3, where they reflected on their journey, the genesis of ‘Metal Oud’, and the artistic blueprints that led them to where they are today.

Watch the full interview below: