Agah Bahari
Encyclopedia
Agah Bahari born July 3, 1983, is an Iran
ian Rock musician.
Agah's works are Instrumental Progressive metal
/Rock
. He has been deemed one of "Iran's guitar monsters" according to Iranian Rock magazine "Zirzamin".
Agah was a member of the band Meera
http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/arts/story/2005/09/050930_7thday_bs_meera.shtml, until he left Tehran
for Toronto Canada
, where he currently resides. Agah has had 4 performances as a guest guitar player at ICOM (International college of music) in Malaysia.http://www.zirzamin.se/reviews/rev_2006/agah_prog_rock.html
, Iran
. He started studying music at the age of seven, playing the recorder flute and xylophone. At ten, he moved on to the classical guitar
, but soon switched to keyboards which he played for four years.
At age fourteen, he started experimenting with an electric guitar, practising tunes from Metallica
, Megadeth
and other speed/thrash metal bands, playing rhythm guitar in this style for four years.
By 2002, he was ready to play five sold-out performances for more than 1,000 people at the Tehran Art University with the band Exir.
Soon after, he formed his own experimental trio, D.N.A. in 2003. D.N.A. performed four shows, for over 800 people, with proceeds benefiting a charity for children with cancer. D.N.A. broke up about a year later because of problems musicians in Iran face with producing albums. Soon after, Agah was asked to write a song for a video and music exhibit called "Depression: A Multimedia Project" at the Tehran art gallery Tarrahan Azad.
In the Fall of 2004, he was invited to join the band Meera who had released their first album in both Iran and Australia. Agah performed guitar, songwriting and composing duties with the band, and recorded three new songs with them, one of which he wrote. This song later reached Number One on Iran's unofficial music billboard.
In 2005, Agah moved to Kuala Lumpur
in Malaysia for five months to attend the International College of Music (ICOM). He studied music and performed as a guest guitarist, obtaining his pre-foundation certificate. He returned home to Iran and re-joined the band Meera, playing four sold-out shows. After another live performance at the Taraneh Music Institute in Tehran, he began to write and record his own music.
, Derek Sherinian
on keyboards, Virgil Donati
on drums and Rufus Philpot on bass. The Planet X members recorded their parts in Hollywood and then added Agah's guitar tracks, which had been recorded in Tehran
. The song was produced by Derek Sherinian
.
In October 2006, the Iranian Ministry of Guidance and Culture announced that Agah has been officially banned from having any further performances and/or recordings in Iran. On October 11, 2006, Agah left Tehran permanently for Toronto
, Canada
.
On January 8 of 2006, Agah resumed working on a debut solo album with the keyboard virtuoso, Derek Sherinian
, as well as other legendary names in Progressive/Fusion music such as Virgil Donati
and Ric Fierabracci
.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian Rock musician.
Agah's works are Instrumental Progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
/Rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
. He has been deemed one of "Iran's guitar monsters" according to Iranian Rock magazine "Zirzamin".
Agah was a member of the band Meera
Meera (band)
Meera is an Iranian rock band based in Tehran.Band members are Babak Akhondi , Dara Daraee , Farzam Rahimi , Reza Moghaddas , and Kasra Ebrahimi ....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/arts/story/2005/09/050930_7thday_bs_meera.shtml, until he left Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
for Toronto Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where he currently resides. Agah has had 4 performances as a guest guitar player at ICOM (International college of music) in Malaysia.http://www.zirzamin.se/reviews/rev_2006/agah_prog_rock.html
Career
Agah Bahari was born on July 3, 1983 in TehranTehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. He started studying music at the age of seven, playing the recorder flute and xylophone. At ten, he moved on to the classical guitar
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
, but soon switched to keyboards which he played for four years.
At age fourteen, he started experimenting with an electric guitar, practising tunes from Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
and other speed/thrash metal bands, playing rhythm guitar in this style for four years.
By 2002, he was ready to play five sold-out performances for more than 1,000 people at the Tehran Art University with the band Exir.
Soon after, he formed his own experimental trio, D.N.A. in 2003. D.N.A. performed four shows, for over 800 people, with proceeds benefiting a charity for children with cancer. D.N.A. broke up about a year later because of problems musicians in Iran face with producing albums. Soon after, Agah was asked to write a song for a video and music exhibit called "Depression: A Multimedia Project" at the Tehran art gallery Tarrahan Azad.
In the Fall of 2004, he was invited to join the band Meera who had released their first album in both Iran and Australia. Agah performed guitar, songwriting and composing duties with the band, and recorded three new songs with them, one of which he wrote. This song later reached Number One on Iran's unofficial music billboard.
In 2005, Agah moved to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
in Malaysia for five months to attend the International College of Music (ICOM). He studied music and performed as a guest guitarist, obtaining his pre-foundation certificate. He returned home to Iran and re-joined the band Meera, playing four sold-out shows. After another live performance at the Taraneh Music Institute in Tehran, he began to write and record his own music.
International collaborations
In June 2006, the first song, "Revolving Universe", was recorded with members of Planet XPlanet X
Following the discovery of the planet Neptune in 1846, there was considerable speculation that another planet might exist beyond its orbit. The search began in the mid-19th century but culminated at the start of the 20th with Percival Lowell's quest for Planet X...
, Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian is a rock keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, and Alice In Chains. He was also a member of Dream Theater and is the founder of the instrumental metal-fusion band Planet X...
on keyboards, Virgil Donati
Virgil Donati
Virgil Donati is an Australian drummer, frequent drum clinician and a producer. He is currently playing with the band Planet X and Seven the Hardway among other projects. Virgil is perhaps most well known for his fast, highly technical drumming skills...
on drums and Rufus Philpot on bass. The Planet X members recorded their parts in Hollywood and then added Agah's guitar tracks, which had been recorded in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. The song was produced by Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian is a rock keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, and Alice In Chains. He was also a member of Dream Theater and is the founder of the instrumental metal-fusion band Planet X...
.
In October 2006, the Iranian Ministry of Guidance and Culture announced that Agah has been officially banned from having any further performances and/or recordings in Iran. On October 11, 2006, Agah left Tehran permanently for Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
On January 8 of 2006, Agah resumed working on a debut solo album with the keyboard virtuoso, Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian is a rock keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, and Alice In Chains. He was also a member of Dream Theater and is the founder of the instrumental metal-fusion band Planet X...
, as well as other legendary names in Progressive/Fusion music such as Virgil Donati
Virgil Donati
Virgil Donati is an Australian drummer, frequent drum clinician and a producer. He is currently playing with the band Planet X and Seven the Hardway among other projects. Virgil is perhaps most well known for his fast, highly technical drumming skills...
and Ric Fierabracci
Ric Fierabracci
Ric Fierabracci, is an American bass guitarist who has toured and/or recorded with such artists as Frank Gambale, Chick Corea, Sir Tom Jones, Dave Weckl, Bradley Joseph, Shakira, Nancy Sinatra, Planet X, The 5th Dimension, The Beach Boys, and Yanni...
.
External links
- Agah Bahari's Official Website
- Text of interview of Deutsche WelleDeutsche WelleDeutsche Welle or DW, is Germany's international broadcaster. The service is aimed at the overseas market. It broadcasts news and information on shortwave, Internet and satellite radio on 98.7 DZFE in 30 languages . It has a satellite television service , that is available in four languages, and...
's Persian service with Agah Bahari:http://news.gooya.eu/culture/archives/047543.phpReferences