Album Review: Lowen – Do Not Go To War With The Demons Of Mazandaran (Church Road Records)

London based Middle Eastern progressive doom band Lowen will release their sophomore album, ‘Do Not Go to War with The Demons of Mazandaran’ on October 4th, 2024, via Church Road Records.

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.

Helmed by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Nina Saeidi, who was born into exile from Iran in the UK as there, playing metal is illegal and women singing unaccompanied risk execution. This cruel oppression has served to inspire Lowen to create glorious intense progressive doom. Mixing fantastical stories with deep dives into history and shining a light on important modern issues across six epic listens.

Opener Corruption on Earth focuses on the ongoing Woman Life Freedom movement in Iran that began in 2022 and the death sentences that have been placed on women protesting against the Islamic Republic of Iran during this time. It’s a sobering subject and Lowen approach it from a ferociously defiant standpoint. It doesn’t get heavier than this, and even though Nina Saeidi’s vocals absolutely soar, the weight and power of the instruments deliver such a level of heft, it’s gobsmacking.

Take a breath though, there’s five more stunners to come and Lowen have even more unique ideas. Beautifully blending Middle Eastern music with progressive metal in a rich showcase of heavy epic sounds. The level of fresh creativity coming from Najang Bah Divhayeh Mazandaran is staggering, but Waging War Against God might be their opus. Purely because it is so intensely big sounding, deeply mystical and atmospheric, and with a midpoint pattern switch up that is heavy beyond belief. The pinnacle has been reached, but, Lowen aren’t coming down anytime soon.

Written and sung entirely in Farsi, the language of Iran, The Seed That Dreamed of Its Own Creation tells a fascinating story. One about Azhi Dahāka, a serpent tyrant from ancient Iranian mythology that is overthrown after a violent reign of chaos, drought and instability. Lowen delivering an array of vibrant heavy and moody music twisted by eclectic and erratic tones. Nina Saeidi’s vocals have already proven to be exceptional, but this track might be her at her very best.

The power and passion within this record is akin to nothing else this year and while many won’t necessarily be able to relate to the story aspects, the way in which feelings and thoughts are expressed certainly resonate. So important is the voice of Nina Saeidi that it could be so easy to lose yourself to it and filter out the instruments. Except the grandiose doom sound and verbose progressive layers are as captivating as the vocals. The sheer pounding intensity of the penultimate track May Your Ghost Drink Pure Water proves that.

Then, just like that, it’s over, but there’s no going away meekly here as Ghazal for the Embrace of Fire proves to be the most imposing, the most liberal, the most forceful, the most comprehensive, and the most daring of all. The opulence of Lowen’s sound is at its most immeasurable here and with that comes a challenge like no other. While it may not be as immediately appealing as the other tracks, this one grows in stature to the point where it might be the most impressive effort of all.

Which is saying something about that track as this whole album is impressive. The epitome of focus, Lowen have packed out each track with an implausible amount of instrumental detail and ensured that Nina Saeidi’s immense range is always in play and on show. It is an unforgettable experience.

Lowen – Do Not Go to War with The Demons of Mazandaran Track Listing:

1. Corruption on Earth
2. Najang Bah Divhayeh Mazandaran
3. Waging War Against God
4. The Seed That Dreamed of Its Own Creation
5. May Your Ghost Drink Pure Water
6. Ghazal For the Embrace of Fire

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Church Road Records