Ahoora

In February 13th 1970 Black Sabbath, the true inventor of metal music, released their debut album. 36 years after that day, somewhere in an extreme Islamic country called Iran the debut album of a new metal band was released. Obviously Ahoora had no permission to do such a thing, and are actually outlawed in their own country. But anyway album was released to mark a historic event in Iranian rock history.

Metal Mayhem: Where did it all start?
Ahoora: It was late 2001, when I, and a friend of mine, Kiavash Kia decided to form the band. Actually there were not even enough instrument and members! But I guess that was the starting point of this band.

MM: How would you describe your music style?
A: I guess we do not refer to a specified sound or genre; At least I think so. From 70’s rock to the modern progressive rock and also many directions in metal, we’re into them all. And we do like lots in those. But to name you a style, I’d like to call our recent music, a progressive thrash metal record.

MM: Would you like to explain exactly what the situation is for bands such as yourselves in Iran at the moment?
A: At the moment we barely exist. There are no many active bands left. We can not rehearse, record, release or perform! So actually there remains nothing. All we can do is, writing music and maybe if you’re tough enough, try to record it in a possible proper way.

MM: With these problems, you would expect the number of metal fans in Iran to be extremely low, is this the case?
A: Not actually. There are lots of people who’d listen to the metal music. But I doubt if we could name them “fans”, because I believe there is more to fandom, than just listening to the music. When there is no scene, no thought trades or any actual movement... I doubt it. But we do have lots of metal listeners here, who are interested into lots of western bands.

MM: Are there many other metal bands in Iran then?
A: Maybe there were someday, but I guess the majority of them are now disbanded. Even though, still there are few ones around.

MM: Obviously to pursue your inevitable success in the metal world you will have to leave Iran, have you got any thoughts on how you may achieve that!?
A: Yes! Actually this is our main goal now. This is obvious for us that, for any possible opportunities, we need to work in a free country. After the recent record “All in Blood with You”, the immigration thing, has been the most important thing that we’re dealing with. Personally I’m doing my military service now, because it is the only way to get a passport in Iran. The other guys are somehow involved too.

MM: Does your music reflect how you feel about the environment you live in?
A: We’re no political band or anything even near to it. But I guess denial wouldn’t be so wise! Happy or not I think we can not escape from it, At least unconsciously it does effect on our music. Although I think others might be able to comment on this better than us.

MM: How are you viewed by the majority of your country?
A: Almost we’re invisible to them. Where they should see us? But in terms of “Metal Musician” in general, I must say not too quiet nice!

MM: What is your religion?
A: I do not believe in any religion.

MM: In other interviews, many have asked you who your influences are…when I listened to your album, the first name that came to mind was Black Label Society, what do you think about that!?
A: I do appreciate that. But to be honest I don’t think so, because I’m not into BLS, nor the other guys. Although I believe Zakk is a monster guitar player, but I don’t think I’ve listened to a full length album of them.

MM: At the moment, what do you see for your future?
A: As I told you, we want to leave this country as soon as possible. We’re writing new stuff, which we hope to record and produce in our new homeland and in a proper way. With our situation, this would be a great dream come true, and we’re working towards it.

MM: How can we, as people looking in on you situation from the outside, help you achieve your dreams?
A: With spreading the word about it! We need to be heard and criticized. That’s vital for our improvement. Also recently Ral2Can Records has released our self-titled debut album. It’s available via Amazon. You can buy our music and see if you like it you could recommend us. Also we need to get promoted with our new album. So please spread the word.

Lewis Klein