Iranian Metal!!!!

The Gauntlet has reported on Iranian Metal bands in past articles. Many of them were Iranian Ex-Pats in other countries. There have been a few, fearless Metallians who have dared to start metal bands right in Tehran. Such is the case for Tarantist (Video Below for Listening) who spent 8 years doing this in Tehran churning out their own brand of metal in secret. The band does not practice any religion. These guys and others in oppressive regimes are the real item. Putting their lives at risk every time they do a show not to mention the fans that attended whose lives were also in danger. These shows were performed in hidden secret basements around Tehran for 8 fucking years!!



Formed in 2000 by a group of young underground metal heads, TARANTIST originated in the basement alternative rock and heavy metal scenes in their native Tehran, Iran. Having to perform secretly-but-loudly often proved to be difficult, but after sparking a following via word of mouth in the underground, the band soon began to garner international recognition. Within just a few years, international media correspondents inspired by their story (including BBC, SKY, CNN, NPR, Metal Hammer and Kerrang) started visiting Tehran to meet and talk with TARANTIST. These news reports and articles aided TARANTIST in cultivating a worldwide following – motivating the band to relocate to the United States Los Angeles) in 2008.

Although remaining positive, TARANTIST quickly found that they weren’t able to fully escape the pressures they faced back home, stemming from “not being Muslim enough”. Once they arrived in the United States, they experienced opposite – uncomfortable stereotypes and assumptions directed at them simply based on their culture and/or how they looked – all the while never practicing religion in the first place. Determined, TARANTIST didn’t let this slow them down. After growing some roots in North America, the band was invited to play several festivals like SXSW, CMJ, Canadian Music Week and Intergalactic Fest. TARANTIST quickly added to their touring repertoire, performing on the same stages as Metallica, Motörhead, Stone Temple Pilots, Muse, Cheap Trick, Voivod, Sum 41, My Ruin, Ben Harper and many more.

After releasing three full length albums, an EP and several singles, TARANTIST is pleased to announce the release of their new full-length album, Not A Crime, out now via iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify and all other digital retailers. You can listen to a track from the album, “Rain, Pour Down”, here: https://youtu.be/IZ0C0voT0y4

Similar to what their name suggests (tarantism is defined as a mania characterized by an uncontrollable impulse to dance, popularly attributed to the bite of the tarantula), TARANTIST’s music is energetic and keeps the listener moving and headbanging, incorporating a true heavy metal sound mixed with exotic, Iranian flavor. The band’s lyricism focuses on themes of anti-extremism, anti-corporate system, human rights and support thereof – including women’s rights, religious rights, and freedom of expression in the arts.

Bassist/vocalist Arash says, “Instead of writing and singing in English like we usually do, for Not A Crime, we decided to sing/write in Farsi because we felt we need to pay our dues to the Farsi-speaking community and make history with something like this. The kids of Iran (like everywhere else) are being brainwashed by the propaganda and state media. We feel the new generation needs a fresh and uncensored source of awareness, un-diluted music and content, and original material. With this album, we aim to raise awareness regarding human rights issues/violations, freedom of expression in art and music, as well as educating the society and new generation through the story of our lives and what we’ve been through as of today. If interested, all of our lyrics are available in English at www.tarantist.com.

Musically, we’ve incorporated some traditional Persian instruments (Zarb, Santoor), with electric guitars, bass, synths and heavy riffs. Like always, we strive to create combination of new sounds and tones in a groovy way that we ourselves love!”

TARANTIST remain constantly active – releasing new music and videos and spreading the word of freedom throughout the international arts community. Stay tuned for more coming from TARANTIST in the months to come!

Not A Crime track listing:
01 Silence Before Storm (Intro)
02 Hey You
03 Not A Crime
04 Your Dance
05 Disappointment
06 Summer
07 I Become God
08 Reflection
09 Rain, Pour Down
10 Burnt City
11 You Were Not
12 Pills
13 Vay Az To (Drunk Version)
14 Soldiers

TARANTIST is :
Arash - bass guitar, vocals (producer, music, lyrics)
Arsy - guitars
MadMetal - vocals, lyrics
Aidin - guitars, vocals

TARANTIST Online:
www.TarantisT.com (merchandise available here)
www.facebook.com/TarantisT
www.youtube.com/TarantisT
www.Instagram.com/Tarantist
www.youtube.com/TarantistVEVO
www.soundcloud.com/TarantisT
iTunes: TarantisT
Spotify and Pandora: @TarantisT
Twitter: @TarantisT

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Tags:  Tarantist, Iran, Iranian Alt-Metal, Tehran 

Kenny Larson    June 07, 2017