MAY 2nd 2023
ANOUSHBARD
EXCLUSIVE

Metaltitans had their own, Metal Mom speak with Sherwin Baradaran (guitars, vocalist) for Extreme Ethno Progressive Metal band ANOUSHBARD from Iran.  Forming in 2017, and releasing their first record in 2020, this unique band featuring themes of Iranian mystical stories and creating a dynamic sound all their own. Check out our exclusive below:

MT - Tell us how you came up with the name ANOUSHBARD, I know it was a political prison a long time ago, but why that as a name?

Sherwin: Actually, we were looking for a mysterious and conceptual name for a metal band which is not only demonstrate our cultural root and origin but also show how history has influence our songs and lyrics. Our name has deep meaning, It means you will be forgotten for ever. It was a political prison which only Kings rivals had been sent there and They had not been killed. They had been kept for rest of their lives. Scary I know.

MT - Could you please explain what Extreme Ethno Progressive Metal is?

Sherwin: I guess because we use some Folk elements in our music such as folk Rhythm our melodies and combine them with metal genre, we can name the genre Ethno Progressive.

MT - Is it hard to start a band up in Iran?

Sherwin: Absolutely, There are several factors that I can name, the metal music is forbidden so you can’t perform in public places, you are not allowed to publish an album formally so you don’t have any income from your music and the most important issue that you have to face, is people taste of music, the only a small minority you can find that listen to metal music.

MT - Was there an influence from anyone that made you think I have to do this?

Sherwin: Personally I really like and admire Swedish Metal band “Opeth” and I think Mr. Mikael Åkerfeldt is one of persons that influenced me a lot and I have to say the character of that person plays a key role in whether I admire him/her or not. For example I really love Joe and Mario Duplantier from Gojira.

MT - Who creates your lyrics, and where do the ideas come from?

Sherwin: I do write the lyrics, I usually read lots of books about history, philosophy, and poem, and most of my ideas from that books.

MT - Like some bands do you have to be careful about those lyrics and what you say?

Sherwin: I actually be careful about write something meaningful and something that at least not has bad influence or effect on someone else, also we reluctant to write about politics because it might makes trouble for us.

MT - You have 3 members to your band, Sherwin Baradaran (guitar, vocals), Siavash Motallebi (guitars) and Arman Tirmahi (bass), tell us, were you all friends or was there some other way that  you came together ?

Sherwin: at first I met Siavash then we decided to make a band, First album was just two of us then we tried to hire another musicians, lots of member come and go and we still looking for appropriate player as a Drummer and Bass player.

MT -  Tell us what you expect people to get out of your band ?

Sherwin: Well I guess people can hear something new in our band, at least something new for western listeners. I mean we are telling some stories that belongs to our culture and they are unique, in a term of music we are using some Persian traditional Rhythms and Melodies that I can say are new for western listeners and I find it interesting.

MT - You have a new album out now "Abandoned Treasure" , how has it been going, good responses so far ?

Sherwin: Not bad so far but we expect much more, at least bring us more followers and listeners, We need to be seen by people who love Metal music and I guess we have something to offer to the world.

MT - Of the tracks on it, do you personally have a favourite, and why that one?

Sherwin: Yes, I have to say Abandoned Treasure,  It has Catchy Rhythm, Conceptual Lyric and changing  the sound between clean and Distorted guitars.

MT - Love the cover, where was that taken?

Sherwin: It was taken by one of my besties, we were some where in south of Iran (Ardeshir Palace in Fars province) believe it or not the whole idea of this album started from that photo

MT - Will you be able to tour to promote the album?

Sherwin: Sure and we are preparing for it, We just started rehearsal and looking for proper band mates which can accompany us in upcoming tour.

MT - If you could do a tour somewhere, where would you like it to be?

Sherwin: I guess Europe is our first target because it is near to our country and the distance between the countries and cities is also not too long and we can move from one city to another by train and for the next target If it is possible the north America would be great. But all these things depends on other members of band can get visa or not, Personally I’ve got another nationality which I can come to Europe without getting Visa.

MT - Tell us something about the band that we would not know about ?

Sherwin: Well nothing special, just one more thing. We are trying to migrate another country that we can continue or Music without restriction and limitation that we experienced here in Iran.

MT - Is there anything you would like to add to this interview that I might have missed asking ?

Sherwin: No, Just want to Thank you for having us in your interview

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/anoushbard/
TWITTER - https://twitter.com/anoushbard
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/anoushbard/


Words, views and opinions expressed in answers are those of the authors and do not reflect necessarily the official position, attitude or position of 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ