Motör Militia
| Company type | Independent band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Isa Town , Bahrain |
| Products | Heavy metal music albums and live performances |
Motör Militia (also referred to as Motor Militia) is a Bahraini heavy metal ensemble, distinguished as one of the earliest bands in the Persian Gulf and broader Middle East region to independently produce and distribute a full-length album featuring original tracks.
Beginning in 2003, Motör Militia cultivated a dedicated audience through grassroots word-of-mouth within local and regional Middle Eastern music circles. The group actively partnered with fellow artists in Bahrain’s heavy metal community, spearheading numerous DIY heavy metal and hard rock events at an unmatched frequency. Their dedication to performing predominantly original songs and releasing them motivated many emerging local bands to adopt similar practices.
Celebrated for their distinctive selection of cover songs, energetic live performances, and original songwriting, Motör Militia continues to hold significant influence within the Middle Eastern heavy metal and hard rock scenes.
Biography
Established in 2001 by friends from school, Motör Militia quickly became trailblazers in the heavy metal scene across the Persian Gulf. By 2003, they had amassed a substantial regional following through grassroots efforts.
The band played an instrumental role in shaping Bahrain’s heavy metal landscape by organizing frequent DIY concerts. Their emphasis on original compositions inspired other groups to embrace comparable creative approaches.
On October 23, 2003, Motör Militia hosted the first-ever FVF Music Festival, attracting an audience exceeding 1,000 attendees.
Riding the wave of their growing popularity in early 2004, they secured a deal with Saudi Arabia-based independent label SandStorms Records to record their debut album, The Sound of Violence, which was released in June and unveiled at the concluding FVF event.
After reforming with new members in 2007, Motör Militia contributed significantly to rejuvenating Bahrain’s live metal scene, which had experienced a downturn during their break. In 2010, they self-produced Cloaked in Darkness.
Following the 2011 release, the band broadened their exposure by headlining Bahrain’s Dorrak Festival, performing twice in Dubai, and appearing at Hyderabad’s Deccan Rock Festival alongside death metal group Decapitated. They also broke new ground by participating in Bahrain’s Bud Battle of the Bands—a competition traditionally reserved for hotel cover bands—leaving a notable impression.
The launch event for Cloaked in Darkness was captured by Studio 77 and subsequently released in 2012 as a split live DVD entitled Resurrection: The Bahrain Underground Vol. 1.
Motör Militia continued performing live, opening for Nervecell’s second Bahrain concert in 2012 and appearing at the 2013 Bahrain National Day Festival held at the Bahrain International Circuit before a nationwide audience.[1]
Current members
- John Baker – vocals (2016–present)
- Hisham Alawadhi – guitars (2007–present)
- Ahmed Janahi – guitars (2014–present)
- Mohammed Alkhuzaie – bass (2017–present)
- Abdulla Muijrers – drums (2001–present)
Past members
- Mahmood Abdulla – bass, vocals (2001–2015)
- Yousef Hatlani – guitar (2003–2005)
- Ahmed Abualkhair – guitar (2008–2013)
- Salem Sulaibeekh – guitar (2003–2004)
- Abdulrazaq Awadh – bass (2007–2016)
Discography
- The Sound of Violence (2004)
- Cloaked in Darkness (2011)
- Resurrection: Bahrain Underground Vol. 1 (2012)
- World in Flames (2018)
- Metal! Live In Bahrain Vol. 1 (2019)