Rock Band Responds to Concert Cancellation Over “Satanic Propaganda” Allegations

Polish metal band Behemoth has been forced to cancel their scheduled performance in Istanbul, Turkey, after facing opposition from local authorities and religious groups who deemed their music incompatible with the country’s societal values.

The band was set to perform at the Zorlu Performing Arts Center Turkcell Stage on February 11th. American deathcore group Slaughter to Prevail, who had a show planned at the same venue a day earlier, also saw their performance cancelled under similar circumstances.

In an official press release explaining the cancellations, promoters cited “backlash from many segments of society due to their incompatibility with our societal values.” This reasoning was publicly endorsed by Istanbul’s governor, Davut Gül, who took to social media on February 10th to defend the decision.

“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,” Gül wrote, making the government’s stance clear on performances they consider controversial.

Behemoth, known for their extreme metal sound and provocative imagery, released a detailed statement addressing the cancellation. The band expressed frustration after “exhausting every possible avenue throughout the day and engaging in extensive discussions” with authorities, only to find “the decision from the local authorities remains final.”

The Polish group specifically highlighted the role of religious pressure in the decision, stating that “cancellations come after pressure from religious groups who have characterized our art as satanic propaganda and deemed it unacceptable.” They framed this intervention as an attempt to suppress “artistic expression and restrict cultural freedom.”

“Behemoth has always stood for creative independence and the right of artists to express themselves without censorship,” the band stated, defending their artistic vision. “Music is not a threat, but silencing it should concern anyone who values freedom of expression.”

The band concluded their statement with an apology to Turkish fans who had planned to attend the concert, acknowledging their shared “frustration and disappointment” while emphasizing that they “fought to make these shows happen.”

Slaughter to Prevail’s frontman Alex Terrible had earlier responded to the situation on Instagram, attempting to distance his band from religious controversy. “Turkey’s people I love you and respect your country and religion views. But don’t call me satanic,” he wrote, specifically clarifying that his band “are not satanic.”

This is not Behemoth’s first encounter with government-imposed performance restrictions. In 2014, the band faced multiple similar situations: their planned Russian tour was abruptly terminated when they were detained upon entry, accused of having improper work visas, and subsequently banned from the country for five years. That same year, authorities in Poznan, Poland – the band’s home country – also cancelled one of their concerts in what Behemoth described as a “political decision.”

The Istanbul cancellations highlight ongoing tensions between artistic expression and religious or cultural conservatism in various regions. Turkey, which has a predominantly Muslim population but maintains a constitutionally secular government, has seen increased religious influence in public policy decisions in recent years.

For metal bands like Behemoth, whose artistic identity often involves challenging religious orthodoxy and exploring controversial themes, such cancellations represent both a practical setback and a symbolic challenge to their creative freedom. Meanwhile, fans in affected regions lose rare opportunities to experience live performances from international artists.

Neither the venue nor Turkish government officials have indicated whether refunds will be provided to ticket holders or if there are plans to reschedule the performances under different circumstances.