Salim Ghazi Saeedi

Lore & Background

Salim Ghazi Saeedi was born in 1981 in Tehran, Iran. He began teaching himself to play guitar in 1999. He composed three albums with the band Arashk: Abrahadabra (2006), Sovereign (2007), and Ustuqus-al-Uss (2008). He subsequently released the solo albums Iconophobic (2010), Human Encounter (2011), and namoWoman (2012). All albums were entirely self-produced, with Saeedi laying down guitar and keyboards, drum arrangements, and mixing.

On namoWoman, he incorporates Persian microtonal music influences. Critics have compared his sound to a wide range of artists including Univers Zero, Art Zoyd, John Zorn, Patrick O'Hearn, Mike Oldfield, Djam Karet, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, David Bedford, Richard Pinhas, ZNR, Mecano, Present, Aranis, the entire Belgian chamber rock scene, Dick Dale, Anne Dudley, Jaz Coleman, and X-Legged Sally. Some progressive rock publications have also compared his music to King Crimson and Robert Fripp.

Reader's Guide

Salim Ghazi Saeedi's significance lies in his self-produced, genre-blending work that bridges Iranian musical traditions with Western progressive and avant-garde styles. His incorporation of Persian microtonal music on namoWoman marks a distinctive fusion. The breadth of critical comparisons—from Univers Zero to Dick Dale—underscores his eclectic approach. His legacy is that of an independent composer-guitarist who, without institutional support, produced a body of work that draws from progressive metal, jazz fusion, RIO, and art rock, while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. His discography with Arashk and as a solo artist demonstrates a consistent output of experimental music that has garnered attention in progressive rock circles.

Did You Know?

• Salim Ghazi Saeedi began teaching himself guitar in 1999.
• His solo album namoWoman incorporates Persian microtonal music influences.
• Critics have compared his sound to Univers Zero, Art Zoyd, John Zorn, and King Crimson.