Xakestar is a Persian rock band originally formed in Tehran, Iran, and currently active in Sweden. The band was formed in early 1999 by Mo Khojasteh (lead guitar, bass, synthesizers and lyrics), Hani Rajabi (lead vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, and electronics) and Behruz Bazargan (drums).
The band was originally supposed to work as a black metal band but for internal reasons they refused to play in this style preferring to create their own unique sound from a combination of rock, progressive rock and metal styles, and with a particular attention to piano, keyboards and synthesizers.
While still based in Tehran the band performed two very successful high level performances at the Farabi Hall: performances which hit the headlines in many musical and art communities in Tehran as the tickets were sold out very quickly. At these concerts the band played both original material and cover versions of songs from a number of well-known bands such as Pink Floyd, Moonspell, Hypocrisy and Bathory, adding their particular taste for electronic music to the overall sound. After a few years, the drummer, Behruz, was fired by Mo due to technical issues and the band started to work with session drummers.
It was after the second of these live performances that the legal restrictions in Iran made it impossible for the band to go on making music and performing their music the way that they wanted to. Their music was in fact officially banned in 2003 inside Iran and the band decided at that point to move to Sweden.
After some years of hard experimental work, forging their sound the way they want it and recording independently, Xakestar is now working on a new album due for release in the near future. Fans can follow their activities on the band’s official home page by following the link below:
www.xakestar.com
www.reverbnation.com/xakestar