Master of Persia
Iranian metal band
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Master of Persia (Persian: مستر آف پرشیا) , also known as M.O.P, is an Iranian progressive/death Middle Eastern folk metal band founded in Mashhad in 2005 by Meraj Ansari.
Master of Persia | |
|---|---|
| Years active | 2005-present |
Their music fuses heavy metal with traditional Persian instruments like setar, with lyrical themes centered on ancient Persian history and culture.
History
The band was established by Asari in 2005; lead vocalist Anahid joined in 2008.[1] Their first single, "Prince of Persia", was released in 2010, garnering international radio airplay. In 2011, they released their debut album Older Than History (also titled Iran, Older Than History)[2]
After gaining recognition, the band faced severe backlash in Mashhad. Meraj was charged with Satanism, flogged 130 times, and imprisoned; Anahid was in danger because her involvement in the underground metal scene drew the ire of local authorities - and was against the ban on female vocalists. She was threatened and kicked out of her parents house[2][3][4] The threats forced them into exile, relocating to Yerevan, Armenia.
They founded and organized the Persian Rock & Metal Festival starting in 2012, hosting it in Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Turkey, bringing together bands from Iran and across the Middle East.[5]
In 2015, they performed at the “Peace, Love & Rock in the Middle East” festival in Çanakkale alongside Israeli metal band Orphaned Land.[6]
In 2015, they released the single "Get Up And Fight", followed by another single in 2016, "Acid Attack", featuring the American band GATH.[7]
Members
- Meraj - Vocals (2005-present)
- Anahid - Vocals (2008-present)
- Rezman - Guitars (2007-2011)
- Ater (Amirhosein AvazNiya) - Drums
- Iron - Bass (2007-2011)[1]
Discography
Singles:
- Prince of Persia (2010)
- Get Up And Fight (2015)
- Acid Attack (feat. GATH) (2016)
Album:
- Older Than History (Iran, Older Than History) (2011)