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Draft:Lazywall

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Lazywall
Lazywall live at Dabatek (2023)
Background information
OriginTangier, Morocco
GenresAlternative rock, hard rock, Arabic rock, fusion
Years active2003-present
LabelsIndependent
Spinoff ofAnegay
Members
  • Nao: Vocals & Basshouj
  • Monz: Drumbuka & Backing Vocals
  • Youssef: Guitaroud
Past membersJohn Lanigan, Lee Blackmore, Tarik Elamile, Hamed Nik, Younes Fakhar, Rachid Barnoussi, Cef Moon, Laszlo Pallagi
Websitelazywall.com

Lazywall are a Moroccan oriental-alt-rock band formed in 2003 by three brothers, combining Western rock/metal instrumentation with traditional North African instruments and Arabic vocals. Their releases include the 2010 album Restart, their first vinyl Al 9areen in september 2025 and the EP Tighaline. [1][2][3]

History

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Lazywall are a Moroccan rock trio whose oriental rock hybrid is a tagine of traditional Arabic time signatures and instruments and powerful altrock. Singing in Arabic, the band covers topics like climate change, social injustice, integration and corruption with a visceral intensity that removes language barriers and unites cultures. “Lazywall give Rise Against and Shinedown a run for their money when it comes to curating bursts of energy that you can’t help getting caught up in. They are set to reach Nirvana if they ascend any further.” - A&R Factory The band was formed in Reading, England by brothers Nao, Youssef and Monz who had relocated from Tangier to go to university in the UK. Influenced by Led Zeppelin, Audioslave and System Of A Down, as well as Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, the brothers set out to explore drop D tunings and roots music with a mission to connect the oud with the rock guitar, establishing a new musical trade route from the Orient to the Occident. Lazywall signed to Warner Spain - the brothers have dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality - and got the opportunity to go to Chicago to record their debut EP “Primal Tapes” with Steve Albini. Performances at SXSW and numerous European festivals followed. The band were the first ever rock band to perform on Moroccan TV. Their English language records, of which there are five, were well received, but a performance in front of 50,000 compatriots at the Festival of Casablanca made them realise the essential missing link in their sound: the language. Lazywall set out to write songs in Arabic. “We don't talk about politics because we don't care. We don't talk about religion because it's a personal thing. But singing about that underage girl who was forced to marry her rapist is tough in any language.”

Formation and early years

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Lazywall were formed in 2003 in Reading, United Kingdom, by brothers Nao, Youssef, and Monz, originally from Tangier, Morocco.[4][2][3] The band describe their style as an “Oriental Alt Rock Hybrid,” blending Western rock with Arabic lyrics and instruments such as the oud and gnawa-style bass.[2][3][5]

In 2008, the band returned to Morocco to evolve a sound rooted in their cultural heritage.[6]

Musical development

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Lazywall originally wrote and performed primarily in English but gradually transitioned to singing in Darija (Moroccan Arabic) to better connect with local audiences.[7]

They also introduced custom hybrid instruments such as:

  • The guitaroud, a double-neck instrument combining electric guitar and oud.
  • The bassentir, a hybrid of electric bass and the traditional guembri.
  • A modified drum kit incorporating darbuka and tbal.

Musical style and themes

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Lazywall’s music fuses Western alternative rock and metal with Arabic musical traditions, including the use of maqam scales and rhythmic patterns. Drop D guitar tuning is often used to complement the traditional elements.[6]

Lyrically, the band addresses topics such as:

Their song "Ana Amina" is a tribute to Amina Filali, a Moroccan girl who died by suicide after being forced to marry her rapist.[8]

Lazywall fuse heavy rock riffs with Arabic vocal melodies and traditional North African rhythmic textures. Reviewers have described their music as combining Western hard-rock energy with regional tonalities.[9][10]

Career

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  • Barcode Disclosure EP (2004)
  • Primal Tapes EP (2006) recorded by Steve Albini
  • Apoptosia (2009)
  • Restart (2010) – the band’s early album, released independently and available on Bandcamp.[11]
  • Aporia's Bane (2012)
  • Square Minds In Round Heads (2015)
  • The Hundredth Monkey (2017)
  • Zoochosis (2021)
  • Tighaline (2025) – an EP praised by multiple independent reviews for its blend of rock and Moroccan identity.[1][10][9][12]
  • Al 9areen (2025) (Limited Edition Vynil only)

Instruments and innovation

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Lazywall use custom instruments, including a dual-neck hybrid “GuitarOud” (electric guitar + oud) and a bass modified with guembri strings.[2][3]

Reception

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Independent music outlets have praised the band’s work, especially Tighaline. Rock Era Magazine wrote that the EP “breaks boundaries with blistering riffs, Darija lyricism, and sonic soul-searching.”[9] Illustrate Magazine highlighted the EP’s “dynamic fusion of heavy riffs and North African soundscapes.”[1] The Musical Road praised its “fresh sonic identity.”[10] Other coverage, such as from Thoughts Words Action, also noted the band’s blend of modern rock and traditional instrumentation.[13]

Discography

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  • Barcode Disclosure EP (2004)
  • Primal Tapes EP (2006) recorded by Steve Albini
  • Apoptosia (early release) — see Spirit of Metal listing. [14]
  • Restart (2010)[15]
  • Aporia's Bane (2012)
  • Square Minds In Round Heads (2015)
  • The Hundredth Monkey (2017)
  • Zoochosis (2021)
  • Tighaline (EP, 2025)[1][10][9]
  • Al 9areen (2025)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d —, — (4 July 2025). "EP Review: Lazywall – Tighaline". Illustrate Magazine. Retrieved 28 September 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  2. ^ a b c d —, — (10 November 2023). "EMQ's With… Lazywall". Ever-Metal.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  3. ^ a b c d —, — (14 October 2023). "LAZYWALL – interview". Eternal Terror. Retrieved 28 September 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  4. ^ "Metal Anarchy's New Music Showcase: Q&A With Lazywall". Metal Anarchy. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  5. ^ —, — (2023). "Interview: Lazywall". GBHBL. Retrieved 28 September 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  6. ^ a b "Lazywall Interview". Eternal Terror. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Interview: Lazywall". Lelahel Metal. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Lazywall rend hommage à Amina Filali". Yabiladi. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d Abulwafa, Cherine (5 July 2025). "NOT YOUR TYPICAL ROCK REFUGE!". Rock Era Magazine. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d —, — (July 2025). "Lazywall – Tighaline EP Review". The Musical Road. Retrieved 28 September 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  11. ^ —, —. "Restart, by Lazywall". Bandcamp. Retrieved 28 September 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  12. ^ Miladinović, Djordje (27 June 2025). "Lazywall – Tighaline EP". Thoughts Words Action. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  13. ^ Miladinović, Djordje (27 June 2025). "Lazywall – Tighaline EP". Thoughts Words Action. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  14. ^ —, — (—). "Biography: Lazywall". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved 28 September 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ —, —. "Restart, by Lazywall". Bandcamp. Retrieved 28 September 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
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