I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, but before the war, #Syria had a burgeoning metal scene! Some of the bands are now located in places like Lebanon and Turkey.

While I was in #Damascus, I was lucky to meet Antoun — a #heavymetal #drummer AND a dedicated #veterinarian who remains in his city.

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Producer: Tania Natscheff
Camera: George Stroumboulopoulos and Tania Natscheff
Editor: @NathanSing

With support from the World Food Programme and Canada Development

#STROMBO

From the 1-2-3-4 to the 808's and beyond. Radio, television and digital. For over two decades, George Stroumboulopoulos has been playing the best records in the best order. Finding those songs that'll get you through the night. Interviews, intimate sessions and out-of-its-mind full-blown house concerts. The Strombo Show and House of Strombo reflect the beautiful and the badass of Canada's diverse cultural landscape. There are no boundaries, with the gamut running from Aretha Franklin to Slayer and everything in between.

Some of the wonderful people who have been on the show include international artists like A.R. Rahman, Against Me!, Alice Cooper, Ani DiFranco, Anthrax, Beastie Boys, Bjork, Bonnie Raitt, Charles Bradley, The Cult, De La Soul, Diana Krall, Dinosaur Jr., Dolly Parton, Elvis Costello, Ghostface Killah, Grandmaster Flash, James Hetfield of Metallica, The Kills, Little Stevie Van Zandt, Loretta Lynn, Maynard James Keenan of TOOL, Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, Missy Elliott, Mix Master Mike, Moby, The National, Neko Case, Patti Smith, Queens of the Stone Age, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Robbie Robertson, Robert Plant, Saul Williams, Slowdive, Steve Earle and Vampire Weekend; Canadian talent such as A Tribe Called Red, Alexisonfire, ARKELLS, BadBadNotGood, Barenaked Ladies, Blue Rodeo, City And Colour, Coeur de pirate, Death From Above 1979, Gordon Lightfoot, Joel Plaskett, Rheostatics, RUSH, STARS, Tegan & Sara and The Tragically Hip; emerging acts that include Courtney Barnett, Dilly Dally, Father John Misty, Jazz Cartier, Kate Tempest, Leon Bridges, Lowell, The Lemon Twigs, Margo Price, Pussy Riot, Sampha and The XX.