Iranian Heavy Metal

"As with almost everything in Iran, reality rarely corresponds to the images of the country we see on television" -Mark LeVine

[persianheavymetal]

5grs 

[persianheavymetal]

An interview by Farid Pazhoohi with “5grs”. “5grs” is the first Iranian heavy metal/thrash metal band that had a female vocalist. In this interview, lead guitarist and composer Pooyan Madadi talks about constraints that the band often faces when members cannot consider music as a viable professional option, and he also talks about the experiences of having a band headed by female vocalist.

[persianheavymetal]

A great short interview with Hossein Yekband, the lead member in the Iranian metal band Kuadrumana. He talks about his introduction into the metal scene and what it’s like to be a metal musician in Iran. Hossein discusses the hardships that members of the metal scene face in Iran, while still being inspired, passionate and hopeful about making his music in this tricky context. 

[persianheavymetal]

Persepolis by ARSAMES

Such an amazing song by an incredible band! You can really hear the Iranian folk music influence throughout the song, especially in the opening. \m/ 

[persianheavymetal]

Masters of Persia 

[persianheavymetal]

Immortal Identity by ARSAMES

[persianheavymetal]

Baptize by ARTHIMOTH

This music video was directed by Ali Azhari, the band’s visionary and lead guitarist. The video metaphorically demonstrates how the Iranian government attempts to brainwash people using Islamic ideology.

According to Mark LeVine, “Ali uses the word ‘baptize’ to indicatehow Iranians are forcibly submerged, body and soul, in a system in which there is no room for independent thought”(Levine, Heavy Metal Islam, p.197). 

In the same vein, here’s a picture of Ali Azhari and Mark LeVine, which must have been taken during the time LeVine was in Iran to write his book. 

[persianheavymetal]

This is a complete list of all the Iranian metal bands! 

[persianheavymetal]

The Persian Rock and Metal Festival is held every year at various locations in and around the Middle East, such as Dubai, Georgia, Turkey and Armenia. The festival is headed by the band MASTERS OF PERSIA and features several other Persian rock and metal acts! Check out the link for more info! 

[persianheavymetal]

MASTERS OF PERSIA perform their song Mazda Huu at Highland Metal Fest in 2012. 

[persianheavymetal]

Freedom to sing

In this BBC article from 2014, Behzad Bolour, a musician and radio host, talks about the underground rock and metal scene in Iran and the Iranian communities around the world. This article first caught my eye because it because it features Masters of Persia, an Iranian metal band that features the female singer Anahid -a legendary badass. 

[persianheavymetal]

ARSAMES

[persianheavymetal]

MASTERS OF PERSIA vocalist Anahid, does a cover of Territory by SEPULTURA. Dang, girl.

[persianheavymetal]

Why doesn’t?