Arsames (band)
Iranian death metal band
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arsames is an Iranian death metal band based in Mashhad. It was originally formed in 2002 by Ali Madarshahi.[1] Arsames has had many lineup changes; vocalist and first drummer Ali Madarshahi is the only original member remaining.[2] The band took their name from a king of the Persian empire during the Achaemenid dynasty, Arsames.
Arsames | |
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Arsames at Sikkim Metal Fest, India, 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Mashhad, Iran |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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The band plays death metal despite this genre being illegal in Iran and, according to them, considered Satanic by the government.[1][3][4]
History
Arsames was formed in 2002. They recorded their debut single "Adiposere" in 2005 in their home studio. In 2006, they independently released the EP Cyclopia.[5]
In 2007, Malaysian documentary maker Zan Azlee interviewed the band as part of I'm Muslim Too!, a documentary on youth in the Middle East.[6]
In April 2010, the band played at Metal Asylum in Dubai.[7] In November, they played the metal festival Sikkim Fest in India.[1][8] They released their debut album, Immortal Identity, the same year.[9]
In July 2011, Arsames announced that they would release an EP of covers titled Persian Death Metal Tribute to Warriors of Metal through the summer of 2011.[10][11]
Arrest, persecution, and escape
In 2017, Madarshahi, Mokari, and Kheradmand were arrested on charges of Satanism and taken to Vakilabad Prison.[12] They were later released on bail and ordered to stop their activities, an order which they did not heed. The Iranian government eventually sentenced the band members to 5 years in prison each. In August 2020, all three escaped from Iran.[13][14] Two members of another Iranian metal band, Confess, had been similarly persecuted and sentenced to prison time before fleeing the country in 2015. They were later granted asylum in Norway.[15]
Band members
Current members
- Ali Madarshahi - vocals
- Saeed Mokari - bass
- Soroush Kheradmand - drums
Former members
- Levik Yeremian - guitar
- Morteza Shahrami - guitar
- Saeed Shariat - drums
- Ahmad Tokalou - guitar
- Hamed "Fetusgrinder" Azizi - vocals
- Hamid Yousefi Faverani - guitar
- Hamid Alizadeh - guitar
- Ali Sanaei - bass
- Rouzbeh Zourchang - bass
Discography
EPs
- Cyclopia (2006)
- Persian Death Metal Tribute to Warriors of Metal (2011)
Studio albums
- Immortal Identity (2010)