Full Breakdown
Cancellations of Slaughter To Prevail and Behemoth Concerts in Istanbul
2/11/2026, 6:20:45 PM
Cancellations Due to Societal Values
The concerts of Russian-British deathcore band Slaughter To Prevail and Polish blackened death metal group Behemoth were canceled by Turkish officials in Istanbul, citing concerns over "societal values." Istanbul Governor Davut Gül announced the decision, stating it aligned with long-standing morality rules that prohibit activities deemed corruptive to society. The cancellations were prompted by significant public backlash, which the governor's office attributed to the bands' perceived promotion of satanism, a viewpoint echoed by Turkish media outlets, including the Yeni Akit newspaper, which is aligned with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
The events were scheduled to take place at the Zorlu Performing Arts Center Turkcell Stage, but the governor's office invoked Articles 17 and 22 of Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations and Article 32/Ç of Law No. 5442 on Provincial Administration to enforce a two-day ban on all events at the venue.
Public Reaction and Band Responses
The opposition to the concerts was fueled by claims that the bands were "preaching satanism" and "stealing the faith of young people." In response, Slaughter To Prevail's frontman Alex Terrible expressed confusion over the accusations, asserting, “We are not satanic... I personally will go to Valhalla after I die.” He emphasized his respect for Turkey and its cultural values while refuting the claims of promoting satanism. Terrible further explained in an Instagram video that pressure from an "Islamist group" led to the government's decision, stating, “The Satanist claims were completely not true.”
Behemoth's frontman, Nergal, is also expected to respond, as the band has faced similar challenges in the past due to religious opposition to their performances.
Broader Implications
The cancellations reflect ongoing tensions between artistic expression and societal norms in Turkey, particularly regarding heavy metal music, which is often viewed with suspicion in predominantly Muslim countries. The situation raises questions about the limits of freedom of expression in the arts and the influence of religious and political groups on cultural events.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the official narrative from Turkish authorities emphasizes societal values and public reaction, there is a lack of detailed information regarding the specific nature of the complaints against the bands. Additionally, reports vary on the extent of public support for the cancellations, with some sources indicating a significant backlash against the bands, while others suggest that the opposition may be driven by a vocal minority.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Davut Gül, Istanbul Governor
- “I have no clue what they saying but we are SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL…” — Alex Terrible, Frontman of Slaughter To Prevail
- “ Terrible also took to Instagram and posted a video of himself explaining why the show got cancelled: “The Turkey show got canceled because one Islamic group of people put a high pressure on select government, saying we’re spreading satanic propaganda, which is completely not true.” — Alex Terrible, Frontman of Slaughter To Prevail
