Afghanistan's first heavy metal band say they live "under the constant fear of sudden death", but continue to perform live despite the threat.
District Unknown is among the first to emerge from Afghanistan's first school of rock, "Sound Centre", which opened in May and mentors young musicians.
The band say they discovered heavy metal when two of them were given a Metallica album while studying in Iran, and that living amidst a decade-long war helps them connect with the heavy sound of metal.
The Taliban had previously banned all cinema, TV and music that was not based on religion. Although Taliban rule has since been toppled, some musicians at the rock school perform with masks to avoid being attacked by religious conservatives.
"Our music is not about heartbreak or boy-girl relationships. We don't live that," says guitarist Qais Shaghasi while wearing a Slayer shirt.
"It's about watching a 15-year-old being married off to a 50-year-old man by her father for money. That's what we see."
Watch a video of the band perform a cover of "Sweet Dreams" here:
Well I can respect them for standing up for what they believe in, but musically they seem to be absolutely awful (judging from the video in the article).
Similar, there is actually a documentary about a metal band called Acrassicuada and they get credit for being the first heavy metal band our of Baghdad. The documentary is very interesting, and very eye opening. Heavy Metal in Baghdad is on Netflix I do believe.
Well I can respect them for standing up for what they believe in, but musically they seem to be absolutely awful (judging from the video in the article).
ItsApocalypse wrote:
This is really cool, it's really ballsy of them to do what they're doing. i just wish the band was a bit better..
I see what you mean. They wouldn't be bad as a noise rock band, though, no? (Half-joking, but still.)
Similar, there is actually a documentary about a metal band called Acrassicuada and they get credit for being the first heavy metal band our of Baghdad. The documentary is very interesting, and very eye opening. Heavy Metal in Baghdad is on Netflix I do believe.
It is on Netflix - that's how I watched it. Stuff like this really is admirable.
god they suck. altough if this music center thing thing is new and they're that old, its no wonder they need alot of practice. but hey wtf. no ones ever heard metal over there. they have no idea of what should sound good.
btw. props for sticking it to the man(taliban)
if secular rule ever comes to the middle east, i can see the whole region becoming a new hotbed for metal. they've had enough oppressive religious rule for it to happen.
Honestly, even though the music is not great...it makes me realize how powerful a force music is for so many people. Props to them for moving forward in such a society and writing honest music.
Religion sucks when it starts turning people into radicals... the first thing in religion is to allegedly bring peace to one man's soul, right?
Although I understand and agree with what you're trying to say, I'd just like to point out that inner peace is not the definition of a religion. Some religions focus on that, some don't. Religion is the adherence to a common creed or belief. Using "peace" as a benchmark for validating a religion often confuses people, who then start to discredit certain religions that seem a bit more "harsh" e.g. Catholicism, Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, Extreme Islam (case in point), and so on. I don't mean to attack you, I just want other people to be more tolerant of religions that don't seem to tolerate them.
As for the article, i think these guys are pretty cool. It takes huge balls to play metal in a society as scary as that.
Fucking great to see this, thats dedication, not too mention its refreshing to see a band sing about such themes and not the usual girl problems and bullshit.
Looks they're a death metal band... ba dum tss.
But in all seriousness, good for them. They truly believe in the freedom of music we have and take for granted. So much so, they risk their lives for what they love. That truly is passion.
if secular rule ever comes to the middle east, i can see the whole region becoming a new hotbed for metal. they've had enough oppressive religious rule for it to happen.
The same "secular rule" that made America go down to the s**tter? No, thanks!
To the subject, hats off to this band for putting their life at risk for Heavy Metal! \m/
I didn't listen, but these guys are heroes in themselves. I think it's tough just being shunted by the legions of Yankees cap-wearing rednecks who scream shit at me from cars and shit because I've got long hair and like metal, but in all honesty I've got it easy compared to these guys. These guys are risking their lives every day for their art, and they deserve the highest praise for that. Hail from Canada!
Whether they suck or not, I've gotta give them a huge amount of respect for this. It takes balls to go against the grain in most countries but even bigger balls to go against the grain in a country where you're likely to have your head lopped off for it.
I really respect what they're doing, it's good to hear that some people have the balls to introduce something new even if it's threatening their lives.
This particular performance was pretty bad though
About those commenting on skill level; it's a start, but you have to remember they probably haven't been at it that long compared to a lot of people on this site; what with the musical academy being only fresh and the political and religious oppression.
Has the makings of an awesome punk-metal band with that Eastern twist SOAD is known for. They certainly have the attitude.
It's a good thing what they're doing, but the band itself sounds kinda shitty. Actually every single member sucks pretty much.
It doesn't matter what skills you have, it's fact that everyone that's out somewhere. As long as they are enjoying making music and can get an important message across. That's enough inspiration to get more people to do the same thing.
This reminds me very much of the Iranian band that had to fight to get Visa's to play internationally because of their country of origin. Props to them for actually risking everything just for their passion.
Somebody must convince the nato to activate the afghan youth. Music could be a key. If the whole youth would rebel against the taliban. I'll give em a year, and then they will be either down, or afghanistan will die out because there is no more living youth.
Let's put in some Thrash Festivals in ya!
