Arsames (band)

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
Arsames at Sikkim Metal Fest, India, 2010
Arsames at Sikkim Metal Fest, India, 2010
Background information
OriginMashhad, Iran
Genres
Years active2002–present
Members
  • Ali Madarshahi
  • Saeed Mokari
  • Soroush Kheradmand
Past members
  • Levik Yeremian
  • Morteza Shahrami
  • Saeed Shariat
  • Ahmad Tokalou
  • Hamed Azizi
  • Hamid Yousefi Faverani
  • Hamid Alizadeh
  • Ali Sanaei
  • Rouzbeh Zourchang

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)

References
  1. "Band braves ban for a blare – Iran metal musicians to rock Gangtok on Sunday", The Telegraph (Kolkata), 20 November 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2011
  2. Georgina Enzer (25 March 2010). "Arsames: 'We have to stay and fight for it'". Gulfnews. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  3. Vince DiMaggio (November 2008). "Arsames Interview" (Digital). MetalStormMag. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  4. Wilkinson, James (2010) "Iranian metal", Time Out Dubai, 30 March 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2011
  5. "Los miembros de ARSAMES huyen de Irán al ser sentenciados a 15 años de cárcel" [ARSAMES members flee Iran after being sentenced to 15 years in prison]. hellpress.com (in Spanish). 12 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  6. Johan, Rizal (28 September 2008). "A zeal for telling people's stories". The Star. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  7. "Arsames". jorzine.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  8. "ARTIST OF THE MONTH : ECCENTRIC PENDULUM". 11 October 2010. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  9. "Arsames - Immortal Identity review". metalstorm.net. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  10. "Arsames Posts Teaser For Covers EP, "Persian Death Metal Tribute To Warriors of Metal"". 13 July 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  11. "ARSAMES To Release EP Featuring AMON AMARTH, KREATOR, CARCASS, SEPULTURA Covers; Trailer Online". 13 July 2011. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  12. "Iranian heavy metal band Arsames flee the country after being sentenced to 15 years in prison". nme.com. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  13. "Iranian Metal Band ARSAMES Arrested, Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For "Playing Satanic Music"". metalinjection.net. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  14. "Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison". loudwire.com. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  15. "Iran's Confess Sentenced to 14 1/2 Years in Prison + Lashing for Playing Metal". loudwire.com. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
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