Jafar Panahi Iran. In April 2011 Time Magazine named Panahi number 3 in their list of the Top 10 Persecuted Artists who have challenged authority. In Spring 2011, Boston's American Repertory Theater and System of a Down's Serj Tankian dedicated their production of "Prometheus Bound" to Panahi and seven other activists, stating in program notes that "by singing the story of Prometheus, the God who defied the tyrant Zeus by giving the human race both fire and art, this production hopes to give a voice to those currently being silenced or endangered by modern-day oppressors". On 26 October 2012, Panahi was announced
Prior to the Fire could challenge themselves musically, but not specifically to be heavier: "I don't think we go in wanting to write a heavier record," guitarist Dan Watchorn stated. "I don't think we have a preconceived notion of what we want, the riffs and melodies just kind of come. The fact that "Hello Master" was a bit more on the poppy side and "Prior to the Fire" has a bit more edge to it is just where we're at right now with music." Of the end result, drummer Vince Nudo said, "Our individual tastes came out more [on this record than they did