Photo courtesy of the band
Khshathra’s debut offering, “War Drums,” is weird and historical, the perfect soundtrack to an internet rabbit hole about the Battle of Carrhae. Nothing like a little history to get your Thursday going. We have it first.
About the backstory of the track, the band say, “In 53 BCE, the Roman legions, led by General Crassus, marched into the desolate deserts of Carrhae (modern-day Harran, Turkey) with 40,000 men. Ignoring the Armenian King’s offer of safe passage, Crassus chose a direct route across the Euphrates. Facing severe exhaustion and dehydration, the Romans soon found themselves pursued by the Parthian army, led by the renowned General Surena. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Parthians used psychological tactics, including massive war drums, to intimidate and encircle the Roman forces. The Romans, trapped and outmatched, endured relentless attacks from the Parthian cavalry. Crassus’s hopes of survival were dashed as the Parthians maintained their siege, leading to a brutal defeat. After the battle, Crassus was killed, and his head was allegedly used in a grisly display at a royal banquet. This historical episode highlights how greed and strategic blunders can turn a seemingly favorable situation into utter disaster.”
“War Drums” draws on this historical narrative to evoke the emotions of the Battle of Carrhae. It uses riffs, chants, and dynamic compositions to make a truly powerful song.