Heavy Metal in the Middle East
Here in the United States, the metal community is often annexed from the rest of society. But within its core, lies a network of understanding, appreciation, and acceptance without question. No matter what color your skin is, where you came from, or what path of life you walk, all that matters at a metal show is just that - metal. The music and the culture overrides the norms and restraints of every day life. The true miracle of this phenomenon is that it extends far, far outside of our home country and reigns the same throughout the world. It does not matter what job you have, what deity you pray to (if any), or what language you speak. Metal fans come in every shape, size, color, and religion, even in the locations where one might not expect it at all. One region that is seeing a huge musical uproar and a growing metal fan base is the Middle East. In many countries where the elders are torn apart and red in the face about religious, financial or political matters, the 25-and-under populations are finding new ways to speak their minds and express their frustrations. Universally, many people find a sacred connection with metal music because it allows them to embrace the feelings that other outlets have told them to ignore. History professor and avid metalhead Mark LeVine has been conducting extensive research and coverage of the emergence of metal in the Middle East.
In his book Heavy Metal Islam, LeVine brings light to a topic many of us have never questioned or seen before. He writes, "To understand the peoples, cultures, and politics of the Muslim world today, especially the young people who are the majority of the citizens, we need to follow the musicians and their fans as much as the mullahs and their followers." A professor at the University of California, Irvine, LeVine has traveled many Middle Eastern countries in search of their metal underworlds, visiting such places as Cairo, Morocco, and Pakistan. Within each of these locations lies a metal scene just as vivacious as those one would find in America. Though we face our own share of struggles here, metalheads of the Middle East are confronted with a whole new war zone. Under the religious scrutiny of various leaders, not just the bands, but even metal fans face the threat of arrest and even execution for showing active interest in the metal community. Activities we see as commonplace - standing in line for a show, blasting music on our phones outdoors, holding horns up at a live concert - are no walk in the park for the young metal fans in Middle Eastern countries.
In Egypt, for example, metal fans and musicians alike were subjected to arrest after photographic evidence of a metal show taking place was brought to public view. The Egyptian police made over 100 arrests in this instance, accusing the involved metal lovers of "Devil worship." In another event, Moroccan police arrested over a dozen individuals, mainly metal musicians, accusing them of "rocking the foundations of Islam." It is a great shame that metal is considered such a crime in certain countries, as the musicians that call these places home truly produce some fantastic music that has the potential to be enjoyed worldwide.
SCARAB "ANKH"
[
Scarab
is a death metal act from Cairo, Egypt.]
TARANTIST "DISTORTED BRAINS"
[TARANTIST
is a popular metal band from Iran.]
THE KORDZ "LAST CALL"
[The Kordz
is one of the most popular rock bands of the Middle East.]