Egyptian duo Ein L Aql, consisting of Bassem Diaa and Amro Zidan, has released their latest album 'Al Baydah Wal Hajar' (‘The Egg and The Stone’). The album draws inspiration from Ahmed Zaki's 1990 film of the same name, which delved into Egyptian religious rituals and practices rooted in wizardry and djinn invocation.
Across six tracks, the band uses phrases and creature names from the film, such as ‘Ein L Katkout’ (‘The Chicken’s Eye’) and ‘Al Ghorab El Raqes’ (‘The Dancing Crow’), to structure the album's themes.
Musically, 'Al Baydah Wal Hajar' incorporates traditional shaabi melodies, often heard in Egyptian weddings, with modern compositional elements. The band reworks these melodies, maintaining their familiar roots while introducing experimental electronic components. The album predominantly features Egyptian instruments like the ney, oud, qanun and accordion, paired with heavy bass lines and electronic accents. The result is a consistent, trancelike atmosphere that relies on repetition and rhythmic flow.
Each track smoothly transitions to the next, maintaining a cohesive sound throughout the album. The combination of traditional instrumentation with modern electronic outlines offers a balanced blend of both styles without overshadowing the album's shaabi foundations.
