Track By Tracks: Maatkare - Rise To Power (2024)

1. War Before Peace:

This song parallels ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire, highlighting the impact of war on civilians, especially women and children. It reflects the brutality of continuous battles and pays homage to the innocent lives caught in the conflict.

2. Rise To Power:

A tribute to Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s ascent to power, this track embodies her strength and resilience as a young queen challenging patriarchal norms. It celebrates her determination to rise above fear and become one of Egypt’s greatest rulers.

3. Long Live The Queen:

This follow-up to Rise to Power showcases Hatshepsut’s full confidence as a ruler. She demands recognition as the rightful heir, challenging the notion that women are lesser rulers, and embracing her power without compromise.

4. May The Gods Bear Witness:

This song explores false prophets spreading misinformation in ancient Egypt, using the historical narrative to draw parallels to modern-day media manipulation. It’s a powerful reflection on the importance of trusting your own beliefs amidst misinformation.

5. Maatkare:

The closest track to a ballad, Maatkare celebrates Hatshepsut’s reign and her refusal to be seen as lesser. She defied gender norms by wearing male attire, asserting her equality to men and leaving a lasting legacy.

6. Judgement Day:

This apocalyptic track shifts from the Egyptian theme to focus on humanity’s too-late plea for forgiveness. It paints a bleak picture of the end of the world, where all face inevitable destruction.

7. Black Death:

Set during the bubonic plague in ancient Egypt, this track blends English and Arabic lyrics and reflects on the uncertainty of life during times of disease. Inspired by Gibran Khalil Gibran’s poetry, it captures the fear and loss of the era.

8. Realm Of The Dead:

Inspired by the Book of the Dead, this song follows the soul’s journey through the Egyptian underworld, where the heart is weighed for purity. It explores themes of judgment and the passage to the afterlife, steeped in ancient mythology.