The Contemporary Scene
Within a few years after the launch of Tehran's underground scene in the late nineties, some bands started using the poetry of Persian literature such as Hafez in their lyrics on top of classical western rock tunes and melodies, and peppered with sounds of traditional Persian music.
Public open live concerts are heavily restricted by the government. Rock bands might obtain permission to perform on stage live, provided their music is purely instrumental or with Persian lyrics approved by Ministry of Culture. Rarely music with English lyrics has been performed by bands such as Barad. Most of the Rock Bands who cannot obtain permission rely on internet and social networks. There has been underground competitions with music press coverage. Occasionally the government allows rock concerts to take place under strict conditions. 127 were the first Iranian underground band to tour the United States and played at South By Southwest festival.
In 2008, power metal band Angband, signed with German label Pure Steel Records as the first Iranian metal band to release internationally through a European label. They released their debut album Rising from Apadana in 2008 and they collaborate with the well-known producer/ sound engineer Achim Kohler (Primal Fear, Amon Amarth) for the production of their second album Visions of the Seeker that came to life in October 2010. the collaboration continues for the 2012 release Saved from the Truth.
Awarded an Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize Ex-aequo by Cannes Festival in 2009 No One Knows About Persian Cats a film by Bahman Ghobadi revealed the legal challenges and obstacles young musicians in Iran have to face where government is severely confined.
Read more about this topic: Rock And Alternative Music In Iran
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