Well-known Egyptian rock band Massar Egbari have taken a new approach to reaching their audience amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Their new song Raghm El-Masafa (“Despite the Distance”), released on the band's official Facebook page, was recorded with each band member performing in a separate studio, sending a message supporting social distancing.

With the song, Massar Egbari join the scores of musicians who, despite the distance created by precautions taken to curb spread of the coronavirus, continue to create music.

The single also features Egyptian singer and actress Asma Abulyazeid.

According to Ayman Massoud, Massar Egbari's keyboard player, the band began working on the single and collaboration with Abulyazeid prior to the pandemic.

"The lyrics, however, tackle the concept of distance between people and as such we thought that it all fits very well with the current situation," Massoud told Ahram Online.

The song's lyrics were written by Doaa AbdElwahab to music by Hany El Dakkak. The line-up also includes bass guitarist Ahmed Hafez Youssef, guitarist Mahmoud Siam, alongside Massoud on keyboards, El Dakkak on guitar and vocals, and Abulyazeid on vocals.

Taimour Taimour is the video's director and Tamer Attallah Toussy the music producer. The band also extends thanks for the support of Omar Abou Doma.

In March, when the concerns about the new virus prompted the government to shut down all cultural activities, Massar Egbari was the first well-known Egyptian band to respond with an online concert. 

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