Reuters ran a story focusing on the growing influence of American rock on young people of Afghanistan.
DISTRICT UNKNOWN, is titled as the first metal band from Afghanistan, is one of the few groups that follow the orientation of the first school of rock of Afghanistan, the "Sound Centre" Kabul, which opened in May.
For young Afghans, the rapid pace of sound, and aggression of heavy metal, give them an opportunity to vent their anger against the violence that we saw during those war years, before and after September 11, 2001.
"We live under the constant fear of sudden death," said guitarist, Qasem Foushanji. "
One of the songs from the District Unknown, 'The Beast', possesses letter as: "I scream loud and harsh; For you to run away."
"The beast in the song is fear, and if one can defeat fear then they can make a better reality for themselves," says Pedram Foushanji, brother`s Qasem, and songwriter / drummer.
Two members of the District Unknown said they have discovered heavy metal because they won an album of Metallica while studying in Iran. They added living with the war a decade ago and added the heavy sound of music.
Source in Portuguese here | Original and complete news here.
District Unknown is considered Afghanistan’s first metal band. The band was formed in 2008 when the 2 cousins; Lemar Saifullah and Qais Shaqasi, met the Foushanji brothers, Pedram and Qasem. It took some time for the band to establish who was playing what, but once everyone found their places, it was clear that the band had the raw chemistry. Like most bands District Unknown first covered heavy rock and metal songs. Their initial performances were raw and gritty, but the crowd gave them respect for ‘getting into it’. In search of their musical identity they began to compose their first songs. Genres were introduced and disguarded like trash as they turn up the distortion to levels, no Afghan had ever attempted before.
Through 2009-10, the band honed their skills playing underground gigs at youth centres, expats hangouts and the Afghan National Gallery. As they grew as musicians, so did their stage presence and it didn’t take long for them to be seen as the leading band in the small but volatile Kabul music scene.
With Saifullah’s leaving in early 2011, the band faced a new chapter of exploration with session musicians, and eventually ended up with a new style which was coined in the Rolling Stone Article as “Psychedelic Metal”. District Unknown at the moment is trying to find support in order to record and publish their first EP called “Anatomy of a 24 hour life time”.
District Unknown is inspired by bands like Opeth, Anathema, Tool, Pink Floyd, Porcupine tree, God speed you Black Emperor and B’jork.
ANATOMY OF A 24-HOUR LIFE TIME
“Anatomy of a 24-hour life time”, will be District Unknown’s first EP album to be released. The second track: “The day dreams” explores everyday life. Our young man is trying to grasp the realities that he does not find satisfactory, but look very normal to the society around him. The song explains the everyday feelings of an Afghan who has been living in his mother country for a considerable amount of time, but still not comfortable within it.
The subsequent track, “Kill the beast/ Trial for a better reality”: The beast is the fear that paralyzes anyone who is caught in such a situation. If killing that fear is the only way he can escape, then he must confront the beast.
Band Line up:
Qasem Foushanji - 2008 to 2012
Front man- Bass guitar/ growl and backing vocal
Being one of the founders of district unknown, Qasem is a visual/mixed media artist, who has exhibited and sold his work in Afghanistan. He at the moment is working in a documentary project ‘Kabul at Work’. He writes most of the lyrics for the band and the visual concept of District Unknown’s up coming EP was conceived by him.
Qais Shaghasi – 2008 to 2012
Rhythm guitar
Having lived his entire life in Afghanistan through various governments, Qais certainly has the real Afghan experience in the band. This is reflected in his quiet nature in public. Yet when he climbs on stage he unleashes his darker side and rips into riffs that bewilder the locals. He has been the most dedicated member of the band and has sacrificed his career and personal life to keep DU alive.
Pedram Foushanji – 2008 to 2012
Drum and Percussion
Being Qasem’s brother, he listened to almost the same songs that Qasem grew up with. He started playing traditional middle eastern percussion at the age of 7. With no access to music education, he taught himself how to play the drums from copying his favourite metal heroes beats. Clearly the band leader, Pedram now writes the main themes for each new composition and directs the other members in their roles in the musical process.
4-Sasan Fanoon- 2011 to 2012
Lead guitars/backing vocals
Born in a musician family, Sasan learned about Eastern and Western classical music at a young age. He went to Afghan National institute of music and graduated in field of guitars. After DU success at the Sound Central festival they went in search of new members and Sasan was at the top of their list.
5-Fa’ez Soltani- 2011 to 2012
Lead vocals/ background keyboards/ Violin/Cello
Like Sasan, Fa’ez was too an ANIM student. Graduating in the field of violin, he was very interested in experimental music and particularly in District Unknown’s new abstract scores. He has an uncanny talent for adding more to an already established composition and therefore has become a valuable asset to DU.
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