Slaughter To Prevail’s Alex Terrible has defended waving a Russian flag during Warped Tour’s D.C. show, addressing ongoing criticism and fan division.
Slaughter To Prevail frontman Alex Terrible has responded to backlash after waving a Russian flag during the band’s performance at the Washington, D.C. stop of the Vans Warped Tour 30th anniversary celebration on June 14. The band played at the RFK Stadium Grounds, marking the first of three dates for the revived tour.
The move drew immediate criticism online, largely due to current geopolitical tensions and the performance’s proximity to the U.S. capital. Although Terrible has publicly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the past – calling himself a “man of peace” earlier in 2025 and opposing the war in 2022 – his display of national pride has reignited controversy.
Terrible addressed the incident in a statement shared on Instagram:
“I’m grateful to represent my country worldwide. I really want to make this legacy of the Russian heavy metal band smashing the stages everywhere and spreading a good message. Motivate people with our music to not to give up on yourself and do more than you think you can do.
@vanswarpedtour we appreciate your hospitality! Crowd was insane.”
In a longer follow-up post, Terrible pushed back against critics, saying:
“Over the years of being in the spotlight, I’ve come to clearly understand just how selfish people can be. No matter what you do, it’s never enough for them… If you do something, but it goes against their opinion? You become the enemy. You should be canceled, thrown in jail, even killed.”
He continued: “With the rise of the internet, you see just how many of these people there actually are — and you start to understand why the world is the way it is… No matter what, I’m going to act the way I want to — the way that benefits me.”
The incident follows weeks of heightened scrutiny around the band, including backlash over Slaughter To Prevail headlining a tour supported by Dying Fetus and Suicide Silence. Terrible’s polarising presence in the scene has long sparked debate, with critics accusing him of nationalistic posturing, even as he claims he left Russia due to persecution for being a metal musician.
While some Slaughter To Prevail fans celebrated the performance, others saw the flag display as tone-deaf, particularly given the ongoing war in Ukraine and the location’s political symbolism.
Despite the controversy, Terrible seems unfazed. His message to fans and critics alike is clear: he’s not backing down. Slaughter To Prevail remain scheduled to headline major upcoming tour dates across North America.
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