Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Due to local opposition, local authorities in Istanbul, Turkey, have banned planned live performances by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth and deathcore group Slaughter To Prevail, as per theprp. Today, February 10, Istanbul’s Governor Davut Gül made a brief social media statement regarding the cancellation of both events due to their perceived inconsistency with “societal values.”
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.
A press release states:
As a result of the preparations for the concert events to be held at the Zorlu Performing Arts Center Turkcell Stage within the boundaries of our district, on February 10th at 21:30 by the group “Slaughter To Prevail” and on February 11th at 21:30 by the group “BEHEMOTH” ;
It has been observed that the events have caused a backlash from many segments of society due to their incompatibility with our societal values.
Therefore, pursuant to Articles 17 and 22 of Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations and Article 32/Ç of Law No. 5442 on Provincial Administration;
It has been decided that all kinds of concerts, festivals, group and ticketed programs, etc., events within Zorlu PSM and Zorlu Center are PROHIBITED for a period of 2 (two) days, from 00:01 on 10.02.2026 to 23:59 on 11.02.2026.
Akit TV, a Turksih broadcaster, seems to have targeted this shows. Per Bianet, this is what one of the host said:
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.
Slaughter To Prevail does not celebrate Satan, in contrast to Behemoth, which has a lengthy history of doing so. In a social media post about one of the news reports on the shows that were shown in Turkey, Alex Terrible, the vocalist for the latter Russian deathcore group, reacted to those accusations of his band’s religious convictions.
I have no clue what they saying but we are SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL not sliden to previl
Also we are not satanic. We are brutal death metal band. I personally will go to Valhalla after I die . Our guitarist @thegrebfather 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
Another video in Alex Terrible instagram stories:
I just found out about the news. The Turkey show got canceled because one Islamic group of people put a high pressure on select government, saying, we spreading satanic propaganda, which is completely not true.
I believe in God. Our guitarist Jack [Simmons], he’s literally performing with the Orthodox cross on his chest. But we cannot do anything against Turkey government, and we’re a guest here. So respectfully, I don’t know what to do. It’s very sad situation.
No comment yet from Behemoth instead.
