“No activity that corrupts society in Istanbul has ever been permitted up to this day, and it will not be permitted in the future either.”
Local authorities in Istanbul, Turkey have cancelled planned performances by Polish blackened death metal legends Behemoth and Russian deathcore proponents Slaughter To Prevail, saying that the concerts’ very existence was “[incompatible] with our societal values.”
The shows were scheduled to take place at Zorlu Performing Arts Center Turkcell Stage, with Slaughter To Prevail playing February 10 and Behemoth on February 11. According to Turkiye Today, the ruling handed down by the Besiktas District Governorate cancelled not only those shows, but “…all concerts, festivals, and ticketed public events at Zorlu PSM and the wider Zorlu Center complex” for a two day period.
The PRP even has Istanbul’s Governor Davut Gül speaking on the matter, saying, “No activity that corrupts society in Istanbul has ever been permitted up to this day, and it will not be permitted in the future either.”
Meanwhile, an official release quoted on the same site notes that the ban hammer was wielded in response to “…a backlash from many segments of society due to their incompatibility with our societal values.”
Which you might think is par for the course for the amiably Satanic Behemoth, at least. The Polish power provocateurs have been doing the devil’s work for 35 years and 13 studio albums so far, and are no strangers to a bit of faith-flavoured controversy now and again. However, they did play Istanbul’s Volkswagen Arena in 2019 without too much hubbub.
According to Turkish news site Bianet, the whole thing is a beat up, with the concerts targeted by Akit TV, a pro-government Islamist broadcaster. Bianet quotes Akit TV host Erkan Tan as saying, “Bands named Slaughter To Prevail, who preach Satanism and steal the faith of young people, and Behemoth, who blatantly oppose religion with their satanic attire, are coming to Turkey.
“These two groups are banned in Russia. We call on the authorities to act urgently and cancel these events that poison our children and youth.”
Slaughter To Prevail vocalist Alex Terrible expressed his bafflement on social media, saying “I have no clue what they saying but we are SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL… Also we are not Satanic. We are brutal death metal band. I personally will go to Valhalla after I die. Our guitarist… probably will go to hell coz he is orthodox Christian. Turkey’s people I love you and respect your country and religion views. But don’t call me Satanic.”
Behemoth have yet to make a statement, but Australian fans who are down for a little youth-poisoning and Satanic attire are in luck! The Polish purveyors of punishment are headed our way very shortly as part of their Chant of the Eastern Lands tour.
Behemoth Australian Tour Dates:
The Tivoli in Brisbane on February 18
The Metro Theatre in Sydney on February 20
The Forum in Melbourne on February 21
The Gov in Hindmarsh on February 22.
Get full details and tickets here.
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