Shaytan's Power Chord

In yet another example of the extremist elements in the Iranian government flexing their power, over 200 Iranians were arrested at an underground music concert.* Unfortunately, this is not a new phenomenon in the region. Youth music, particularly rap and heavy metal, have been targeted by several governments in the region trying to appease extremist elements or appear like they are actually doing something. In most cases heavy metal is linked with worshiping Satan (e.g. Morocco, Egypt and Bahrain).

At those times when the local scenes can operate with out the persecution of either "moderate" or "extremist" regimes (still trying to figure out the difference between the two...) there has been an amazing array of expression, from heavy metal in Egypt, thrash and progressive rock in Bahrain and my personal favorite Circassian rock. Perhaps even more sadly, this over zealous dynamic has led to several countries baning the videos and/or concerts of the region's eye-candy, err, I mean, pop stars. :)

Even more traditional artists can run afoul of conservatives (the bar does not seem to be too high to get them riled up). In perhaps the best way to respond to this kind of thinking, Marcel Khalife fights back in defense of creativity the best way there is (video with translations in English).

*I like that the underground concert was in an orchard. I wish more concerts were in orchards. If I can orientalize for a minute, it seems so sufi. The first person to write a "heavy metal concert in the orchard" qasidah wins a prize.