With everything else going on these past weeks, it’s quite possible some may have missed the BBC World Service “In the Studio” report on Tehran-formed Black Metal infidels TRIVAX.
Reporter Sahar Zand deftly places the band’s emergence on the international stage in context with the Iranian “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. A people tyrannised by decades of religious subjugation, protesting against the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and many others.
Recalling authoritarian adversity faced in both Iran and Syria before relocating to the UK, members Shayan and Sully intersperse the usual interview answers with troubling tales of personal oppression. A reminder that freedoms taken for granted are anything but universal, and empowerment is a duty of all artists who can speak.
Zand follows the band to Helgi’s in London, where elements of their incendiary ‘Against all Opposition’ video were filmed. We are also taken to the Cart and Horses gig where the band evoked their visceral Eastern Death Magick in support of DIOCLETIAN.
It was a great honour to enable that tour, despite the setbacks, and I absolutely stand by the band’s right to express their truth in word and deed. Freedom is the highest of ideals and will always win, but the fight is seldom straightforward.
It is rare that our little subculture is treated fairly by mainstream media. Although the BBC Sounds site requires registration, it’s well worth logging in to listen.
https://heathenstorm.com/2024/11/13/infidels-to-the-world/
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