Polish extreme metal giants Behemoth have addressed the sudden cancellation of their planned concerts in Turkey, pointing to outside pressure and government intervention as the reason the dates were pulled.
The band was scheduled to perform in Istanbul and Ankara, but local authorities made the final call to shut the events down. In a statement to fans, Behemoth made it clear they pushed hard to keep the shows alive: “To our fans in Istanbul and Ankara, we are deeply disappointed to confirm that our scheduled performances in Turkey have been cancelled. Despite exhausting every possible avenue throughout the day and engaging in extensive discussions, the decision from the local authorities remains final. There is simply nothing further we can do to overturn it.”
According to the group, the cancellations followed complaints from religious factions who labeled their work as unacceptable: “The cancellations come after pressure from religious groups who have characterized our art as satanic propaganda and deemed it unacceptable. This is another example of ideology being used 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. Music is not a threat, but silencing it should concern anyone who values freedom of expression.”
The band also offered an apology directly to supporters who were preparing to attend: “To those who planned to attend, who travelled, and who stood ready to share this night with us, we are truly sorry. We fought to make these shows happen and we share your frustration and disappointment. Turkey has some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in the world and we hope the day will come when we can return to Istanbul and Ankara and perform for you without interference. Until then, thank you for your unwavering support.”
The Beşiktaş District Governor’s Office officially canceled the Istanbul and Ankara concerts, saying the events clashed with public sentiment after online backlash and accusations of satanism.
“The events were found to have caused public reaction due to their incompatibility with our societal values,” the governor’s office said in a statement.
The office also cited legal grounds for wider restrictions in the area: “Based on Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, all concerts, festivals, group and ticketed events, and similar activities within Zorlu PSM and Zorlu Center have been banned for two days,” the office said.
İstanbul governor Davut Gül backed the decision publicly, repeating the district’s stance that “no activity that corrupts society has ever been allowed in İstanbul, and none will be allowed in the future.”
Reports from Turkiye Today noted that the ruling affected more than just Behemoth, canceling “all concerts, festivals, and ticketed public events at Zorlu PSM and the wider Zorlu Center complex” for the same two-day window.
The controversy also spread beyond one band. A pro-government Islamist broadcaster recently targeted both Behemoth and Slaughter To Prevail, whose February 10 Istanbul concert was also canceled, accusing them of promoting satanism:
“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,” the broadcaster remarked. “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,” he said.
While Behemoth has faced controversy throughout its career, the band last played Istanbul back in 2019 at the Volkswagen Arena. For now, Turkish fans will have to wait and see if the group gets another chance to return without interference.
