By SHAWN MACOMBER
Even for those of us residing in quote-unquote “liberal” countries, embracing darker, more extreme iterations of literature, cinema and underground heavy metal can feel like a sometimes-perilous subversion of the larger culture and moral proscriptions. See, for example, the now exonerated West Memphis Three.
Now imagine chasing the same mutinous muse in a country with a literal religious police force and where apostasy can punch your ticket for a one-way trip to the gallows.
This harrowing backdrop is met with an urgency and conviction that can be heard throughout ANTI-COSMIC REBELLION, the fiery, chaos-worshipping, powerfully affecting new album from Iranian black metal artist Atash, recorded and released in exile under the moniker Kaaboos (“Nightmare” in Farsi, the official language of Iran) as he fights deportation from Norway, where his asylum request was recently denied.
Which is to say, an album recorded and released with the full knowledge that the price to be paid for it could very well be torture, imprisonment and/or death.
“Starting Kaaboos was a moment of relief and excitement,” Atash tells RUE MORGUE. “Unfortunately, I simultaneously had to face the reality of being someone from Iran and indulging in such blasphemous activities. I was receiving threats on social media from the Basij” – the powerful Iranian paramilitary militia – “and because of this I had to apply for asylum.”
“I think about those threats every day,” he continues. “But there’s no way that I am going to stop – it actually only strengthens my resolve. It’s a reminder to why I fled Iran in the first place. I am fully aware of the risks that come with everything that I have done within my musical career so far, but being put on the verge of deportation made me stronger to fight back and music itself is the fuel for this.”
In the following conversation, Atash opens up about his Tehran youth, conversion to the cultural dark side, his decision to flee his native land, fomenting his sonic ANTI-COSMIC REBELLION, the horror films that have served as inspiration and what comes next as he awaits word of his fate from Norwegian authorities.
I’m curious about your path into heavy metal and how – I’m making an assumption here, considering the circumstances under which we’re speaking – did it change and empower you?
I discovered metal at a very young age. It felt like a gateway to a lifestyle to which I already somehow was a part. And my experiences with it have been extremely empowering – you are absolutely right to assume that. This is one of the main purposes of this genre for me: It is supposed to be a resistance against religious – but also political and societal – restrictions that we suffer through today. Coming from a country like Iran, there’s more of a purpose and reason for me to gravitate toward this side of music. It had a lot of resonance for me, as well as others.
It’s what we get a sense of belonging from while physically trapped in a politically and religiously restrictive part of earth. Of course, even in more liberal parts of the world, this is the same. We didn’t choose the circumstances that we are in today, and, thus, this genre chooses us.
What did your family think of your interests?
My family is very supportive. I’m grateful to have been raised in a family that is nothing but supportive of what I want to pursue. No matter how odd or unusual my interests, they’ve always been an advocate of choosing my own path in life and finding my own happiness.
Why and how did you decide to flee and seek asylum?
I fled Iran for the UK in 2018. It was time for me to experience my life in a more liberal country outside of the Islamic Republic, for the sake of my own future, sanity, and, of course, playing metal. After a year, I decided to move to Norway. Here, I’ve been focusing on my own work as a self-taught black metal musician, practicing and building my own path with drums and guitar, experiencing deeper moments of solitude in the woods. And I found a profound interest in composing my own music.
I never intended to apply for asylum in Norway. This is something that I had to do because my life was on the line once my activities were publicized with Kaaboos. I had no choice but to go down this road. It has not been an easy path at all, but it only gave me a stronger purpose to pursue this music once I was faced with reality in my own experiences.
Tell me about the new album. Are there any major themes or specific inspirations?
ANTI-COSMIC is a very rebellious album, some of the tracks were written in different senses, especially the lyrics. But the sole purpose of the album instrumentally is from my experiences within this genre and lyrically everything that happened to me in the course of Kaaboos and some personal insights I’ve gained along the way. With “Mesmerized” I delved into my personal thoughts on life and the event of death, the lyrics of that song started from a note I was writing for myself about a year and a half ago.
The general topic of the album is very inspired by religious restrictions I went through growing up and some of my every now and then anti-natalist views on humanity. Not something I 100% believe in personally – it’s more so a representation of us going the wrong way as a species and that if there is no major change, perhaps it is best for all humans to get wiped out eventually. But again, I’m in no position to fully be an advocate of such a thing.
A track like “Qasam Be Shaytan” is completely related to Islam and my way of opposing the religion as a whole.
What about the track “Shadows of Death,” which you premiered on YouTube?
“Shadows of Death” is a track related to [what I describe above] – though more so as a concept. After writing the instrumental, this is what I was getting from it, which felt like the perfect representation of how it musically sounded. It is a very ferocious track, and I believe it is serving its purpose in the album. As with the rest, every song has its own place and intent in the context of the album.
RUE MORGUE is a horror culture mag, obviously. Do you draw any inspiration from genre works outside music?
I definitely do! Although I believe the genre of horror and black metal in some senses are totally different things, I feel there are some links between them. I enjoy watching older horror movies. The Exorcist is a favorite. I can definitely draw inspiration from the eerie atmosphere of a film like the first Nosferatu as well. But, as I said, I think they are two different mediums, so it’s not something that I can directly translate into the kind of work I do with Kaaboos.
You’ve had an outpouring of support from the metal community. How can others help?
The support has been incredible. I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve received from everyone! If people wish to help, they can purchase or stream the album, donate towards lawyer costs via PayPal (shayan.emsira@gmail.com) and continue to share my story. As my experience has taught me, it seems as if there are still institutions – such as the Immigration Offices here in Norway – that don’t understand the severity of things, or else they would’ve been able to cooperate better when I go to them to seek protection instead of sending me to the verge of death every time. Any help that is received in any way, will be greatly appreciated.
I hope that one day I will be able to repay everyone.
ANTI-COSMIC REBELLION is available via Bandcamp and on all streaming services.
