London, UK based Progressive Doom Metal band Lowen published the official music video for the third single “Waging War Against God” taken from their upcoming sophomore album, “Do Not Go To War With The Demons Of Mazandaran,” set to release on October 04, 2024 via Church Road Records and Lay Bare Recordings. Watch the video through the YouTube player below:
Lowen about new single and music video “Waging War Against God“:
“This is a video about freedom and tolerance. It is meant to warn against the misuse of religion and power in the hands of tyrants, and is not intended to be interpreted as intolerance for any religion in its true, peaceful form.
‘Waging War Against God’ is one of the legal terms used by the Iranian government to persecute and execute individuals who stand up to the regime.
This song explores the folly of tyranny. It asks: “why do we grasp at eternity when we know it will leave us behind?”.
It also highlights that time and history are so vast that attempts of ownership and control will ultimately be consigned to the grave of memory, and memory is soon butchered by time.
The recent race riots in the UK punctuate the difficulty that women of colour face inside and outside of their homelands. The head that bears the veil is heavy – be it due to the force of religious power in the hands of tyrants, or the enmity of cultural division that does not permit tolerance of visible differences.
As someone who has grown up between two cultures struggling with oppression and racism, this song is a stand against the intolerance that has been ever present. It champions the strength of women, especially those who despite the threat of death have been carrying forward the Woman Life Freedom movement inside and outside of Iran.
This song embodies the longing for safety and the fight for freedom. The pomegranate is an ancient symbol that embodies fertility and abundance, but it is also the basis for the invention of the grenade. In the video it is shown as a synecdoche for the way that the bodies of women have been abused and dissected throughout history. There are also several alchemical Easter eggs for those who enjoy such symbolism. At the midpoint of the video, the narrative turns and the regenerative, divine strength of women and the power they command ultimately wins out against tyranny.”
Lowen is a London based Middle Eastern Progressive Doom band composed of Nina Saeidi and Shem Lucas on guitar, with a full band joining the fold for live shows. The band mainly focuses on the displaced identity of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Nina Saeidi, who was born into exile from Iran in the UK. In Iran playing metal is illegal and women singing unaccompanied risk execution. The ancient world as well as its arts and languages form a backdrop for an exploration of the pain and longing of the diasporically dispossessed. Saeidi uses traditional Tahrir vocals, unique to Iran amongst her mournful wails.
“Do Not Go To War With The Demons Of Mazandaran” was recorded with producer Lewis Johns and Kel Pinchin (Ithaca, Rolo Tomassi, Svalbard). Lyrically the album is based on one of the many fables of the Shahnameh, the Persian book of Kings, concerns the folly of rulers who jealously extend their empires despite the warnings of their own people. It is during this tale that he is warned not to go to war with the demons of Mazandaran. This chapter of the book forms the concept of the album. The songs “Corruption On Earth” and “Waging War Against God” are named after and written about the death sentences placed on women protesting against the Islamic Republic of Iran during the ongoing Woman Life Freedom movement that began in 2022.
Lowen have dominated the live scene with appearances at Desertfest, Doomlines, Masters of the Riff and Uprising Festival. They have also recently supported Green Lung and Conan in the UK and EU.
Pre-Orders for vinyl, CD and cassette are available HERE
Tracklist:
01. Corruption On Earth
02. Najang Bah Divhayeh Mazandaran
03. Waging War Against God
04. The Seed That Dreamed Of Its Own Creation
05. May Your Ghost Drink Pure Water
06. Ghazal For The Embrace Of Fire
Album credits:
Track 5 contains a guest cello performance by Arianna Mahsayeh.
Artwork is created by the renowned oil painter Hervé Scott Flament.
