Music like Akher Zapheer

Akher Zapheer (Arabic: أخِر زَفير‎ meaning Last Exhalation) is a Jordanian grunge Arabic rock band from Amman, Jordan, formed in late 2007. The band was founded by vocalist and guitarist Basem Sayej who has been the only constant member throughout multiple line-up changes. The current line-up consists of Basem alongside Rami Alqasem (bass guitar) Amr Abukhlif (lead guitar) and Masis Mardirossian (drums, piano)

Akher Zapheer's frontman Basem Sayej discovered his passion towards music at an early age mentioning that he started writing songs when he was 12 and kept writing during his adolescence before forming the band. The band's name, which means "Last Exhale" simply refers to the relief after getting things off chest. Basem Sayej also mentioned that the name was inspired by Kurt Cobain’s exhale while performing Nirvana’s "Where Did You Sleep Last Night". Basem co-founded Akher Zapheer with his childhood friend and neighbor, guitarist Salem Dallal. Basem said that he used to write songs in English, then he stopped and starting writing in Arabic instead. Basem and Salem kept writing songs until they met drummer Kayed Qunibi and then they started jamming together at Kayed’s building which made them face troubles with the neighbors,so they moved their instruments into Mohamed Salem’s library in one of Amman’s loudest and busiest streets so no one could be annoyed by their jams. The band’s first bassist was Mohamed al ali who was originally a guitarist but he agreed to turn into Bass in order to join the band. Akher Zapheer kept rehearsing together until they met sound engineer and musical producer Sari Abuladel who liked their music and decided to make an album with the band. Akher Zapheer started working on the new album besides performing live shows which helped building a fanbase for the Jordanian rockers. The bassist Mohamed Al ali left the band between 2009/2010 and was replaced by bassist Yazan Risheq.