[1] Arsames has had many lineup changes; vocalist and first drummer Ali Madarshahi is the only original member remaining.

The band plays death metal despite this genre being illegal in Iran and, according to them, considered Satanic by the government.

[10][11] In 2017, Madarshahi, Mokari, and Kheradmand were arrested on charges of Satanism and taken to Vakilabad Prison.

The Iranian government eventually sentenced the band members to 5 years in prison each.

[13][14] Two members of another Iranian metal band, Confess, had been similarly persecuted and sentenced to prison time before fleeing the country in 2015.