Al-Thawra
Al-Thawra (Arabic: الثورة, means "The Revolution"[1]) is an experimental metal punk band with rhythms and modes that draw heavily on Middle Eastern influences. Band member Marwan Kemal describes a "third identity" between the "false dichotomy of East and West", pointing out that "in the Middle East, I'm still always 'the American kid'". Kemal grew up in Chicago — the band's bassist Mario Salazar is Mexican, and Sahar Salameh joined the band as a vocalist when she was 16 years old. Kamel's father is Syrian, but his mother was raised Catholic — he says he is "more influenced by the mystical paths in Islam. Like Sufism."[1] The Islamic Monthly describes the band as challenging "mainstream Arab and Muslim 'Americaness'"[2] Their musical genre has various been described as taqwacore[3] and raïcore. (Raïcore is a genre that blends traditional Algerian folk music with punk rock.)[4]
Al-Thawra | |
---|---|
Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Genres | Crust punk, taqwacore, doom metal, sludge metal |
Years active | 2006 - Present |
Website | Al-Thawra on Myspace |
Members | Marwan Kamel Micah Bezold Mario Salazar |
Past members | Sahar Salameh |
References
- "Marwan Kamel is one punk rocker on a different sort of mission through music". The National. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
- "Exploring Identity Through Film". The Islamic Monthly. 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
- "Punk meets Islam for new generation in U.S. - CNN.com". Retrieved 2018-07-02.
- Lavin, Talia (2014-11-24). "Taqwacore: Punk Piety For Young Muslim Rebels". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2018-07-02.