While much of the world has sharpened their attention on Israel and Palestine after the October 7th attack of last year, conflict, displacement, and death has been occurring for many decades. The Dubai-based group Callous Minds are using their socio-politically fueled ‘progressive war metal’ to bring attention to the timeline of such modern genocide.
“Project 1948”
Setting the stage with Eastern percussion, orchestration, and guitar chugs, a mix of Born of Osiris, Demonic Resurrection, and Gojira is summoned for this single. Vocalist Manav Chawla expresses genuine frustration for the historical inhumanity in the region with loaded lyrics (“It’s been seventy years, the apartheid is clear”), and the song title referring to the Nakba of 1948. Although the track is rich in optimism, the line of “a war we fight alone” is impactful, drawing attention to the consistent lack of significant international support that the Palestinian people have endured.
Most notably, Chawla sings and screams the political chant “min an-nahr ʾilā l-baḥr (من النهر إلى البحر)” / “from the river to the sea,” a slogan birthed in the past and revived in this 21st century genocide.
“Project 2023″ featuring Abzy
The six-piece followed up “Project 1948” with a new single titled “Project 2023,” doubling down on both the musical intensity and thematic furor of the climbing Gaza death count. A more cut-throat production sharpens Manav’s lyrics, lobbing harsh words such as “murderers,” “ravagers,” “demon-like being,” “tyrant of terror,” and an “ethnic cleansing regime.” There are no holds barred. Nonetheless, the song’s aggression halts with the heartstring-noose sample of a 10-year old plea and confusion: “I just wanna be a doctor or anything to help my people, but I can’t… I literally cry everyday. I keep saying to myself, why do we deserve this.”
“Project 2023” sounds massive in scope. The clean vocal guest feature of Abzy is beautiful, the desperation behind every lyric stabs deep, and the overall message is a necessity.
You can read more about Callous Minds‘ stance on the “conflict,” Hamas, America’s role, collective punishment, and racism in UAE, or discuss the Dubai and Indian metal scene.