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Kuwait Times

Lumina: Kuwait's bold voice in alternative metal

In a dimly lit rehearsal studio in Kuwait City, the sound of heavy guitar riffs and pounding drums fills the air. At the microphone, Latti – the first Kuwaiti woman to front a rock and alternative metal band – sings with a raw, unflinching voice. Her band, Lumina, is carving space for a genre that remains niche in the Gulf, and challenging cultural expectations along the way. 'I believe it's long overdue for women to express themselves freely, whether through rock 'n' roll, jazz, or traditional Arabic music,' Latti told Kuwait Times. 'In my case, I also wanted to bring greater visibility to the alternative women's community to show that we exist, and that we have something powerful to say.' Within her own circles, she says, she has felt safe and supported. 'The fear often comes from the outside, the unknown, the unfamiliar,' she said. 'But you have to do it while you are scared. That's what courage truly is: choosing to live your truth, even when it's hard.' Defying limits Breaking into rock and metal as a woman in Kuwait is not without its challenges. 'Metal is a powerful form of expression and in many cultures, it's still considered taboo,' Latti said. 'Society often urges women to dim their fire, to remain soft, quiet, and contained. But I chose to burn. The more they tried to shrink me, the more I expanded. Resistance only fueled my growth – and that, in itself, became part of my art.' Her lyrics, often co-written with guitarist and composer Mando, pull from personal history. 'Any pain or challenge you encounter, try to alchemize it into your art,' she said. 'That's how we heal: by transforming vulnerability into strength. Some people need to witness that process so they know they're not alone.'For now, Lumina's songs are in English, though Latti keeps the door open. 'Maybe, one day,' she said. A group photo for Kuwaiti band Lumina. --Photo by @Tings A group photo for Kuwaiti band Lumina.--Photo by @ A group photo for Kuwaiti band Lumina.--Photo by A group photo for Kuwaiti band Lumina.--Photo by A group photo for Kuwaiti band Lumina.--Photo by A scene still growing While Gulf neighbors like Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain have seen a rise in alternative music festivals and international metal acts, Kuwait's scene remains smaller. 'In other places there's visible support from major platforms that uplift alternative scenes,' Latti said. 'I hope to see Kuwait granted the same opportunities – a space where individuality is embraced rather than demonized.' Drummer Aziz Baqer says there has been some progress. 'I'd say it's slowly growing – not metal, but rock bands in general,' he said. 'You see so many bands here having their own style, their own sound, and they've got our full support because that's what we do – we're all in the same boat and we all love and support each other.' Aziz, who loves progressive rock and odd time signatures, often experiments with rhythm. 'I've done it with other bands and I'm up for any ideas that represent our music and culture here in Kuwait. That would be cool,' he said. A group photo for Kuwaiti band Lumina.--Photo by Kuwaiti frontwoman Latti from Lumina band perform on stage. photo by @albloushi_96 Kuwaiti guitarist and composer Mando perform on stage. photo by @albloushi_96 Kuwaiti frontwoman Latti pose for a photo.--photo by @thes3od Crafting the sound Mando draws heavily from his influences. 'The music we write usually stems from the bands that inspired me,' he said. 'Heart and Tool are two of my favorite bands ever, and they've shaped Lumina's sound.' Their upcoming album, Radiant Flux, takes a new direction. 'The topics are different,' Mando said. 'It's about the process of overcoming a certain challenge. Radiant flux is a measurement of light in physics – it's our way of saying, no matter how dark things get, there's always a way for the light to shine through.' For Mando, alternative metal is more than just a genre. 'I see alt metal as a musical revolution,' he said. 'We want to show people that authenticity can make you great. Be who you're meant to be.' New single and a message Lumina's upcoming single will take a lighter tone than the band's usual work – but will 'hit just as hard,' frontwoman Latti promised. 'It's about the alchemy of love,' she said. When asked about her message to young women, Latti's response was immediate. 'Your voice is holy, even when it cracks. Softness isn't weakness, and rage isn't shameful. You don't have to be digestible to be worthy, and you don't have to be quiet to be respected,' she said. 'I want young women to look at me and see possibility – if I can do it, they can too. You can shatter expectations and still be whole. You don't have to become someone else to be powerful – you just have to become more of yourself.'