Releases

'Demons'

By LOWEN

London based world doom visionaries LOWEN will release their sophomore album 'Do Not Go To War With the Demons of Mazandaran' via Church Road Records (UK) and Lay Bare Recordings (EU). Out 4th October 2024.

Pre-order starts July 5th! 

The record comes in 2 variations heavy weight vinyl w/ a 8 pages booklet. The amazing cover artwork is made by the renowned oil painter Hervé Scott Flament

EU/ Lay Bare Recordings: color in color - white in transp. blue. UK/ Church Road Records: transparent red w/ black splatter. Lowen will have both variations available.

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.

Track 2 features Farsi and Sumerian lyrics, track 3 is entirely sung in Farsi, and track 6
contains a Neo-Babylonion ghost summoning incantation.
Track 5 contains a guest cello performance by Arianna Mahsayeh

Credits:

Vocals and lyrics: Nina Saeidi

Guitar and bass: Shem Lucas

Drums: Cal Constantine

Cello: Arianna Mahsayeh

Produced by: Lewis Johns and Kel Pinchin

Mixed by: Lewis Johns

Tracked by: Kel Pinchin

Mastered by: Grant Berry at Fader Mastering

Cover art by: Hervé Scott Flament

Tracklist