Iran's Death Metal jewel AZOOMA already impressed us all with their debut EP "A Hymn of the Vicious Monster" released in 2014. Their astonishing brand of progressive yet brutal high class Death Metal didn't leave unperturbed anyone who dared to listen. Now the band is ready to unleash upon mankind their debut album "The Act of Eye", a conceptual work that push boundaries in Progressive Death Metal.
No, don't tremble after hearing the word "progressive". On this infested scene full of trendy proggies who care more about poseurism and too often forget about what Metal is all about, AZOOMA don't need to wear a fashion look or deny their Death Metal roots to prove there's plenty of room for innovation yet retaining classic elements at the same time. It's unbelievable that a band from Iran has to come and teach us all how this can be done! We, europeans and americans, think we're the top of the top and that's bullshit. AZOOMA proves it with total humbleness.
"The Act of Eye" comes with a brutal yet abstract cover art made by artist Shahriyar Shervin who also did all the booket artwork to illustrate this complex conceptual work. Mixed and mastered by Mathieu Pascal from french masters GOROD, "The Act of Eye" is a masterpiece that will raise an eyebrow on you if you leave your prejudices apart and give them a listen. Don't be a fool, try it!
Tracklist for "The Act of Eye" is as follows:
Act 1 - Plague of Predator
Act 2 - Umbra of Mirth
Act 3 - The Ocular Dominance
Act 4 - Erosion of Shadows
Act 5 - Non-Entity of Visions
Act 6 - Flare of Flames
Act 7 - Objectivity of Oblivion
Act 8 - The Eyes: A Tale of Sight and Shadows
After releasing their astonishing debut EP, "A Hymn of the Vicious Monster" in May 2014 through Xtreem Music, Iranian Death Metal act AZOOMA have recently entered the studio to start recording their first full length studio album which will be released this year again via Xtreem Music. The recording will take place in Mashhad at 'Azooma Studio' under the supervision of the band's drummer Saeed Shariat.
Saeed commented: "We are excited indeed to bring some new material to our fans. Our upcoming album will have more horror, a more complicated story and more blood. This is something different and we assure you that this one will blow your mind, it's something you haven't heard before".
Also the band has recently signed a management contract with Mohsen Fayazi and Stargazer Consultancy. Mohsen commented on AZOOMA's forthcoming album: "I am glad that these guys found their way on the Death Metal path of glory. By listening to the demos of Azooma's upcoming album, I can say they found their signature style in this genre of music".
Check out what the band had to say to their fans from the studio on the Youtube clip here: http://youtu.be/odfoC5dAEkU
Release date for the debut EP of Iranian Death Metal band AZOOMA, has been set for June 15th through Xtreem Music and will be entitled "A Hymn of the Vicious Monster". The band has recently revealed the artwork and track listing of this EP, which can be seen below.
AZOOMA frontman Shahin Vaqfipour stated the following regarding the concept of the EP: "We really like the idea of telling a story throughout this EP, we want each song to be unique but all of them to relate to each other and complete each other. We wanted to create something new and at the same time, staying true to the roots of Death Metal and its traditions.
"A Hymn of the Vicious Monster"is about a normal person who seems to be a victim of the situations he is in, but eventually it becomes clear that if the conditions are right, he can turn into the monster which he thinks he is a victim of.
It's the nature of mankind. If he has the opportunities, he can turn into something evil which he thinks he would never be and do some vicious deeds. Everyone has this potential, but the true power and purity is not to let this nature, this essence grow".
"A Hymn of the Vicious Monster" is a 6 track EP (34 min.!!) and was mixed and mastered by Iranian producer Ehsan Imani in Mixter Blaze Studio. The artwork was created by the young and talented artist Shahryar Shervin. The EP will be available on both CD and in digital format.
Shahin commented on the artwork: "Shahryar Shervin the one who does the artwork, is a great talented person. He spent so much time with the band during the process of making this EP, discussing the ideas and he really understood and discovered what was on our minds and his work reflects what we want to say visually. We really appreciate what he did on the artwork".
"A Hymn of the Vicious Monster" track list:
1. Preface
2. Chapter I: Self-Inflected
3. Chapter II: Eridanus Supervoid
4. Chapter III: Encapsulated Delusion
5. Chapter IV: Gyrocompass
6. Appendix
Iranian Death Metal warriors AZOOMA have just signed a worldwide contract with Xtreem Music. As a result the band will be releasing their debut EP, entitled "A Hymn of the Vicious Monster" in both digital and CD formats during summer 2014 while the band is already working on their debut album for 2015.
Guitarist Ahmad Tokallou commented: "This is what we have been waiting for and it is not only because of our hard work, but also the help from some great and kind friends, who are invisible to others but shared their mighty energy and kindness with us... Xtreem Music is a great label, and this encourages us and give us more hope to go forward… you will hear more from AZOOMA!".
"It's one of the best things that can happen for an artist to co-operate with a good and reliable company such as Xtreem Music", drummer Saeed Shariat says. "I have a good feeling about it and we hope to satisfy Metal heads more… Just wait for our EP, it will make necks ache!".
Dave Rotten, president of Xtreem Music and main man of legendary AVULSED stated the following: "The very first time I heard AZOOMA, I was extremely surprised by their combination of sheer brutality and technical skills at the same time as their EP sounds really heavy with a great production. I'm running the label since 1990 and this is the very first band from Middle East that I decided to sign. They have the right attitude and overall… they sound fucking great!! Hopefully AZOOMA will help to break barriers for other good bands in these countries where extreme Metal isn't that popular".
AZOOMA have paid tribute to legendary MORBID ANGEL by covering heir "Dawn of the Angry" song. The video was launched on Youtube and surprisingly posted by MORBID ANGEL themselves on their official Facebook page. Check out the video here: http://youtu.be/ENV31Qh_tcE
Release date for AZOOMA's debut EP hasn't been scheduled yet, but will take place during the summer, so stay tuned for when an advance track, cover art and release date will be announced. In the meantime, check out this 8 min. live & footage documentary of the band's participation on a Persian Metal festival that took place in Georgia last October 2013. There you'll be able to hear some excerpts of the upcoming EP as background music!! Watch here: http://youtu.be/7QspGJoMqfg
