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ANOUSHBARD is an amazing band which deserves a lot of your attention. From Tehran they play traditional instruments like daf (a kind of percussion instrument) and oud (similar to a lute) mixed with extreme death metal and progressive metal. We spoke with Sherwin, lead singer and guitarist, in a conversation about music, western culture, and politics and religion getting in the way of many people’s lives.
Firstly, I would like to thank you for the interview opportunity, and I wanted to start asking you about your background in music and how Anoushbard started.
Sherwin: Thanks for having us in this interview. Siavash and I started playing guitar when we were teenagers, both were 17. With Anoushbard, we started on 2017 when we had some experience playing in other bands and decided to record an album released in 2020.
I have read about the name Anoushbard as a reference to a political prison in the Sassanid Empire, the last Persian empire before the Muslim conquest. Why did you choose this name?
Sherwin: Yes, that is true, because I am really into history and like reading about the glorious days of our country. I found out this name so conceptual for a metal band and it represents our great history and culture.
People here in the West know somewhat about the political problems in Iran, especially for metal musicians. How and how much does it affect you?
Sherwin: It affects us a lot because working with this any genre related to metal is getting harder and harder. You cannot release any album, and, for consequence, it becomes harder to have concert or gigs. You will be an underground band for rest of your life.
Is metal a popular scene over there? I apologize for asking this, but I always feel that people here get a very stereotypical image about countries like Iran and the news coming out here often creates a wrong impression of the Iranian people.
Sherwin: Unfortunately no, because a just a few people listen to Metal music. It is normal people believe what they have been told. If someone wants to find out what is going on in other regions our countries, they must avoid listening to fake news agencies.
I have noticed Abandoned Treasure is themed around Zoroastrianism, and I believe the name matches up with a lot of ancient history from Persian times that needs to be brought back. How was the conception of your album in this thematic?
Sherwin: You get the point, that is right, we tried to remind some of cultural values that nowadays are gone for many people. That’s why we are telling some old stories, tales and myths.
What influences you, both inside and outside the music? Unlike many “eastern” metal bands (I think this term is kind of silly, actually), it can be noticed that the Persian music influences are not limited to using “exotic” musical instruments, but also to the way the songs are composed, at the same time there is a very beautiful fusion with conventional metal.
Sherwin: It needs a great amount of energy to investigate, do lots of research about Persian Mythology. Reading ancient texts to understand the main concept of Eastern ideology (it is completely different from what is now in Western countries). These ideas help me to compose our music. We had lots of famous poets who wrote about these concepts ( Life – Death – Afterlife) and I guess they influenced us.
What do you hope for the future and live performances? I know metal music is prohibited there, with some bands having severe restrictions, as well as artists having to go in other directions like Emerna.
Sherwin: We are planning for future concerts in other countries and working of our third album. Hope someday we come to Brazil too, I guess we have some fans over there.
How much does the internet help you with the promotion of your music?
Sherwin: Wow I have to say a lot. It was impossible without Internet. Our Music is heard throughout the world because of Internet and Good and reputable PR companies.
Tell us about the bands from your country that you would recommend to us? I am always very interested in getting to know different kinds of artists. It can be any genre you like to listen to, it doesn’t have to be metal or anything like that
Sherwin: Well these are great Iranian bands which I admire. Baramant, Kahtmayan, Arsames
We here are a Brazilian press media so I would love to know if you know or like any Brazilian band.
Sherwin: I’m a big fan of Sepultura, also recently I have seen some new bands from Brazil which I found them very talented like Crypta.
I really appreciate your time and consideration.
Related Links
https://www.facebook.com/anoushbard/