There are plenty of politically charged heavy metal bands, but few of them are as ambitious as Avram. Avram is less a band than a musical project, and its purpose is to disseminate the ideas of renowned leftist linguist, philosopher and activist Noam Chomsky. Even if high-minded political philosophizing gives you migraines, you should still give Metal Noam a chance. The music stands on its own merits and the ideas presented in each song may even give you something to think about.
Metal Noam opens with "No Right To Live," a pastiche of various metallic styles ranging from black metal, thrash and traditional metal that serves as a soundtrack to clips of Chomsky speaking about an individual's right to live and how that right has been stamped out by capitalism in the United States. The other two songs on the EP follow a similar template; the main difference in each song being the subject matter the Chomsky samples deal with. The second track, titled "Weak and Miserable Men," features audio taken from a debate between Noam Chomsky and noted conservative choad William F. Buckley, about the Vietnam War. The EP ends with "Minority of the Opulent" which deals with the government's role in protecting wealthy people.
Metal Noam is an interesting experiment. If you're a metalhead and a political nut, this EP is worth checking out. If you're the type who prefers more traditionally metallic fare like demons and grimness from your metal you may be put off initially. Try giving this EP a chance anyway. It never hurts to challenge yourself, you slackers. Metal Noam is out now. Go to Avram's website to sign up and receive the EP for free.
