TR00 LIFE: SAUDI ARABIA SHEDS SOME LIGHT ON THE ‘METAL’ EAST
Last week, MTV aired a special episode of their documentary series True Life called Resist the Power: Saudi Arabia. I opted out of doing a post on it, figuring one of those “news”-ier type metal sites would cover it, but uhhh….no one did. Yes, for once MTV aired a show about something besides rich bitches and Jersey skanks (which I love, but most of you hate) and none of you decided to take any notice. Especially since this particular story featured some legit overseas br00tality.
The True Life crew followed four young people living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a place where Islam rules all. Genders are often separated in public places, marriages are arranged, “controversial” websites are blocked from view (I’m guessing we’re not popular over there), and the women are constantly covered up head-to-toe in long black abayas. Featured on this special, we meet Aziz: a hopeless romantic who is forbidden from meeting his female cyber companion in person, Fatima: a wealthy and educated young woman who attempts to introduce colored abayas to her community, Ahmad: a man fighting for women’s rights to participate in city council, as well as members of a Saudi Arabian metal band called Breeze of the Dying who struggle to be accepted or find a venue to play in, as their music is seen as “satanic.” A BOTD show is shut down early for “funny business” during the episode, because even the sight of gruesome logos on their t-shirts are seen as offensive.
So obviously I connected to this on two levels. 1) Being a fan of this so-called “satanic” music, and 2) being female. Real talk: Breeze of the Dying are not all that great, but if I had to live in that country, I suppose I would worship them by default. I hate to be all “look what we take for granted” on your asses, but as much as we all discuss how the music biz has gone completely down the tubes over here, these guys can’t even get an inch off the ground. And then picture me walkin’ up in that bitch. In a country where women are expected to do nothing but be modest and take care of their families, expressing interest in a music scene, especially metal, is completely off the radar. Jeez, you guys think shows are sausage fests here?
Anyway, I mean no disrespect towards Islamic culture. Traditions are traditions, and I’m sure many people are perfectly fine with them.
I embedded the episode above, but incase you don’t want to have to see my ugly mug out of the corner of your eye the entire time, you can also view it here.
-Elise
