“We were shocked and heartbroken by the events taking place in Sudan” — Manapart on the band’s new single “El Fasher”

Armenian-Russian metal outfit Manapart has shared a new single called “El Fasher“. Listen to the track below.

“El Fasher” is a new dynamic track dedicated to the tragic events taking place right now in the city of El Fasher, Sudan. The song is about the complete silence surrounding the ongoing humanitarian disaster. It is about a civil population feeling abandoned and having to face its destiny.

This track points out a disturbing silence around this tragedy: a lack of mass rallies, weak media coverage and an absence of attention by celebrities. Manapart is bringing up the subject of hypocrisy and selectivity of global politics: it is about the simplicity of human rights, war crimes, and tens of thousands of victims being outside of any global agenda, if there isn’t enough money, oil or any other geopolitical benefit.

To discuss this release in more detail and find out more about it, Chaoszine sat down with guitarist Arman Babaian and drummer Zakhariy Zurabian. Here’s what they had to say:

“El Fasher” addresses a crucial issue. Regardless of the specifics of the situation in Sudan, the fact remains that Africa has always been the forgotten continent throughout history. I feel that, in part, it is only fair to shine a light on what is happening in Sudan. Do you agree?

Zakhariy Zurabian: We don’t tend to divide injustice between continents or countries. Every act of injustice should be equally condemned and punished. We were shocked and heartbroken by the events taking place in Sudan, and we were equally furious about the lack of media attention to this conflict. This song does shine a light on what’s happening in Sudan, but it also addresses every conflict that receives neither attention nor help. It raises the idea that even in today’s modern world—full of global media, the internet, and mobile devices—it is still possible to take and destroy thousands of human lives without attracting any attention.

Absolutely true. And I’d argue that there are ‘mainstream’ genocides on the global agenda – as if some matter more than others. Nobody talks about what’s happening in El Fasher, just as nobody spoke about the Rwandan civil war at the time. The Armenian genocide isn’t widely remembered either…

Zakhariy Zurabian: We wouldn’t like to argue about what could be considered a “mainstream genocide,” because that might sound as if we were skeptical about conflicts that receive more attention. That’s not true. Every conflict should find its resolution peacefully, and no human lives should ever be at stake in any disagreement.
However, we do feel and see that some conflicts receive less attention, and we simply don’t find that fair. No matter the country or the continent, people should never feel abandoned or left alone to face their cruel reality.

Musically, the track reminds me a bit of Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” in the intro, mixed with System of a Down and thrash-oriented riffs that nod to Slayer. What was the writing process for this track like?

Arman Babaian: This is actually funny, because there is absolutely nothing taken from Marilyn Manson, Slayer, or System of a Down in this song. Maybe Artyom’s vocal style might remind some listeners of SOAD, but that’s the only possible connection. During the composition process, we were heavily inspired by other bands such as Melechesh, Rage Against the Machine, Sepultura, and even Nile and Shokran. That’s why this song is full of desert-like vibes and Arabic and Middle Eastern elements mixed with an anti-political message.
Maybe one of these bands will even collaborate with us as a featured artist on future songs. We’re actually already in touch with some of them.

Nice! Guys, what are Manapart’s plans for 2026?

Zakhariy Zurabian: We actually have plenty planned. Musically, we have a few singles coming out this year, and we’re actively writing songs for a new album planned for release in 2027. So all these singles and EPs are a warm-up for the major release.

That’s awesome…

Regarding shows, the number is growing. We’re at the very beginning of our spring tour, and we’re looking forward to some summer festivals (and we’re especially proud and happy to be headlining some of them). We’re also already booking the autumn leg of our tour. Meanwhile, we’re actively working on expanding our fanbase in Brazil, Mexico, and Latin America in general, and discussing the details of organizing a tour there as well. We want to dedicate the rest of 2026 to expanding our geography. So let’s see how it goes!

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Currently, several genocides and wars are happening simultaneously. I know that several band members are Russian, so it affects them personally. What role does music play in the lives of Manapart’s members? Beyond social media and statistics, I believe that music is the healthiest weapon of all. It doesn’t destroy, but heals instead.

Arman Babaian: Music doesn’t only heal—it can also do the opposite. Think of it like rain. Rain can be healthy and nourishing for nature, but when it exceeds a certain level, it can lead to floods and become a destructive force that harms people, animals, and entire environments. So we wouldn’t be that optimistic about its nature. Beautiful Wagner’s melodies, for example, became part of the soundtrack of Hitler’s Nazi regime, and an enormous amount of silly pop music may lead to the stupification of minds and degradation of brain cells.

Indeed.

Anyway, answering your question: when the world has gone crazy with wars, hatred, restrictions, and conflicts over freedom, music becomes a form of communication with people. We send our messages—our energy, concerns, fears, and feelings—to our fans when we write and perform music, and we receive their responses when they listen to it. In a certain sense, we are building a network of people who care, love, and communicate with each other through music on a transcendent level.

Chaoszine’s view.
“El Fasher” is a powerful piece of criticism that calls for an end to violence in Sudan and highlights the media’s failure to cover issues that fall off the agenda. The track features riffs that ride firmly across a desert of power and drums that pound hard alongside the bass to create a solid structure. Meanwhile, Artyom Popov’s piercing and powerful vocals lodge themselves in the listener’s subconscious. Manapart’s signature blend of Arabic and Middle Eastern elements with heavy metal is evident once again in this track, with the band raising the bar. Following the releases of “Manapart” (2020) and “Red” (2024), the Armenian-Russian group is poised for definitive recognition with their upcoming LP. History will tell. One thing is certain, however: Manapart leaves no one indifferent.

More info about the band here.