While revivals and second waves are natural for genres of all kinds, nu-metal remains one that comes with a dedicated following, no matter the artist. That’s certainly true of LA-based singer-songwriter Amira Elfeky, who recently dropped “Death of Me” from her upcoming EP, Surrender, out March 28 via Anemoia Records/Atlantic Records. Later in the year, she will join Bring Me The Horizon on their tour in LA at Intuit Dome on Oct. 3.
Years before “Tonight (demo)” would put her on the map, Elfeky would gradually become a songwriter through years worth of trying instruments out and being a devoted listener. At first attempting to pick up the violin when she was younger, it wasn’t until she got her hands on a guitar that she realized music was a path for her.
Eventually, she got into the habit of writing original material and taking inspiration from 90s bands such as Nirvana and Alice in Chains, many of whom she first heard from family members or playing games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero.
However, what would become her style is more akin to alternative nu-metal than any other genre, especially on recent singles like “Death of Me” and “Will You Love Me When I’m Dead.” But it’s her debut release, “Tonight (demo),” that has become her most well-known track, in large part due to the balance between brooding instruments and hard-hitting rhythms more fitting for a band like Slipknot but made natural by Elfeky.
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Whether or not you’re familiar with any of the bands that Elfeky draws from, there’s no question that she pulls primarily from the 2000s orbit of all things emo. On “Tonight (demo),” in particular, her raw vocals fall short of screaming but still carry the edge that comes with her interpretation of nu-metal.
Her October single, “Will You Love Me When I’m Dead,” falls more in line with genres like nu-metal, beginning its assault on listeners at the very start with heavy guitars and thundering drums. While there is some Deftones worship, her typically softer vocal register helps her stand out from the crowd, allowing her to garner a crowd that isn’t strictly following nu-metal.
Considering that Elfeky started off making more shoegaze-inspired music, which helped garner an audience on TikTok before “Tonight (demo),” the progression into a darker sound is one that proved to be the right move. From customizing characters in Rock Band to garnering a following in less than two years, Elfeky’s rise to the top does not seem to be stopping anytime soon.
Words: David Sosa
“Death for Me” by Amira Elfeky is out on streaming services. For more on new music and tickets to potential shows, including an opening slot for Bring Me The Horizon at Intuit Dome on Oct. 3, follow her on Instagram and her website.
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