Interviews: Khshathra

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band Khshathra from Iran. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

Kamyar: Back in High School, around 2018 or 2019, I was already looking to start my own band. Along with my best friend and classmate, Ilia, we came up with "Khshathra" as he was originally supposed to play in that band. I got to keep the name, and here we are.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Kamyar: Back in 2023, we started writing songs and I was working on War Drums, which was supposed to be Death Metal and Groove Metal-like, and in a very random and uncalled way, we started using orchestral sounds for War Drums. After talking to Rey, our producer, he decided to use his magical hands to empower our songs with symphonic elements. So, that's how everything came to sound how it does now.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Saman: No, The band brought all of us together

Kamyar: We met each other as we gradually joined the band, first I met Khashi, Then Mohamad, Then Arsalan, who actually knew Mohamad before the band, and then Saman joined as our vocalist. We became friends after we joined the band. 

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Khashi: Septicflesh, Jinjer, SOAD, and Meshuggah

Saman: Never thought about this actually, but I would probably say Knocked Loose, Lorna Shore, Falling in Reverse, Sleep Token, Architects, and Meshuggah. 

Kamyar: My favorite bands usually change through time based on my taste and well, mood. But currently, I would say Chat Pile, Daughters, Septicflesh, Joy Division, Knocked Loose, and maybe Deftones?

Arsalan: Slipknot, Meshuggah, Septicflesh, Falling in Reverse, Architects, and Slaughter to Prevail.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Saman: Iranian history and mythology are really lovely and beautiful, yet so little is known about it throughout the world, and even more little is shown in the media. We see it as our mission to bring these tales, these stories, with the rightful amount of Metal, to the people of the world, and show these tales as they should be.

Kamyar: I personally am amazed by the level of Metal in our national epics and myths and our history, but one thing that also amazes me is the ethnic side of it. There are so many different ethnicities with so many different tales and stories with so much beauty, and most of them are unheard of by many. I think this is also one of the things that has always inspired us, to tell these stories from within Iran, by Iranians (with different ethnic backgrounds), by Metalheads, through Metal. 

6. Where was your last gig?

Saman: We haven't had the chance to play a gig yet, unfortunately.

7. Where would you like to act?

Kamyar: It was always a part of our big vision to play at Wacken, I like this one. 

Khashi: I think Wacken is pretty badass

Saman: Madison Square Garden is the most badass. "The Garden"

Kamyar: Game Awards?

Saman: Red Rocks.

Arsalan: Knotfest, or Download

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Kamyar: I would just love to feature with Saeid Shanbehzadeh, I think that would be really cool.

Saman: Jason Richardson?

Khashi: No one.

9. Whom not?

Kamyar: There are people in the Iranian Metal scene, that are not really helping the scene, and instead, only hurt the scene and caused damage; and not just to its reputation. In these difficult situations for us Iranian Metal guys at the present moment, These people only cause harm and sometimes even cause threats to other people's safety and security. Only for themselves to stay relevant at all times by bringing others down. NOT TO NAME ANYONE THOUGH LOL.

Saman: If anyone thinks we're talking about them, we might be.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Khashi: For everyone's first and maybe the second show, there's obviously serious anxiety involved, and it’s natural. Even later, I think it's natural to be stressed.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Kamyar: Sepultura and Machine Head inspired me for the riffs, and I think it could sometimes be really obvious. And well I obviously get inspired at times by things I listen to at that time.

Khashi: I mean... Adam Nolly could be there for me.

Saman: For vocals, Randy Blythe, definitely Phil Bozeman was an Inspiration. 

Arsalan: As a drummer, I've always been inspired by Joey Jordison and Mike Portnoy. On bands, I would say Sinsaenum and Thy Art Is Murder.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Kamyar: I don't think I've ever been asked a weird question, It was either about the music or the concept really.

Saman: Me neither.

Khashi: Yeah.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Saman: Love each one of our fans, We really appreciate their love and and support.

Kamyar: I had these two friends, a couple actually, who really loved our music, they had only heard our early demo back then. We didn't stay in touch, but I do consider them our very first fans. I appreciate everyone's support.

Saman: Apparently, they have good taste :D

14. What do you think of our site?

Kamyar: I think it's a good thing to cover smaller bands like us, and I think this is a really cool thing. It really does help small bands.

15. Something to add?

Kamyar: Our ancestors have left us many gifts, One of which is stories... tales... It's what makes us who we are. We wanna bring these tales, these stories, either history or legend, these gifts from our ancestors, with our identity, into Metal. 

Saman: And we wish to keep their memories, and their storytelling alive, by retelling these stories through our music.

Khashi: We wish for a day to see other bands play in our country, and sometimes even play alongside them, In our own country, loud, Metal, and banging.