Originally featured on 2015 EP The Suspended Kid by the title “Underneath,” “Shahmaran” takes a new form in a remastered and stripped-down version as the opening song off ISON.

The title alludes to the mythical creature in the Iranian traditional culture, a hybrid between a woman and snakes. “Shahmaran” (شاهماران) literally translates to “King of Snakes”, but, according to the legend, is represented as a beautiful, wise, and intelligent woman.

Shahmaran is probably another figure used to represent the Sevdaliza’s identity through an alter ego, in similar fashion to the later track “Amandine Insensible.”

The official music video was released a little over a year after the release of ISON. Directed by Emmanuel Adjei, the video has been universally acclaimed, receiving numerous video-award nominations and wins.