Behemoth Condemns Turkish Concert Cancellation: "Artistic Expression Suppressed by Ideology"

Polish blackened death metal giants Behemoth have issued a scathing response following the abrupt cancellation of their planned performance in Istanbul, calling it a blatant restriction of cultural freedom.

The band’s concert, scheduled for February 11, 2026, at the Zorlu Performing Arts Center (Zorlu PSM), was prohibited by the Beşiktaş District Governorate just 24 hours before the event. The ban also affected a performance by Russian deathcore group Slaughter To Prevail, which was set for the previous evening.
"Incompatible with Societal Values"

The official justification from Turkish authorities cited public backlash and an "incompatibility with societal values." Istanbul Governor Davut Gül supported the move on social media, stating, "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."

The decision followed a targeted campaign by conservative media outlets and pro-government broadcasters like Akit TV, which accused the bands of promoting "Satanism" and "poisoning the youth."
Behemoth’s Response: A Stand for Artistic Freedom

In a statement addressing the ban, Behemoth framed the incident as a troubling sign of growing censorship.

"This is another example of ideology being used to suppress artistic expression and restrict cultural freedom," the band stated. "We have performed in Turkey many times over the last two decades without incident. To see a show cancelled on such vague, subjective grounds—based on pressure from reactionary groups—is a loss for the fans and for the spirit of open cultural exchange."

Frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski, a longtime advocate for secularism and free speech who has faced numerous legal battles in his native Poland over "blasphemy" charges, emphasized that the band's imagery is a form of theatrical art, not a criminal threat to public order.
Broad Venue Ban

In an unusual move, the governorate did not just ban the metal shows; it imposed a total prohibition on all ticketed events, festivals, and concerts at the Zorlu PSM and the wider Zorlu Center complex for a period of two days (February 10–11). This effectively shuttered one of Istanbul's most prominent cultural hubs, affecting numerous other artists and thousands of ticket holders.
Slaughter To Prevail Rejection of Allegations

Slaughter To Prevail vocalist Alex Terrible also pushed back against the "Satanist" labels in a video message, stating, "I believe in God... we are not spreading satanic propaganda. We were told an Islamic group put high pressure on the government. It’s a very sad situation."
What’s Next for the Tour?

Behemoth was scheduled to perform in Ankara on February 12 as part of their "Chant Of The Eastern Lands Tour." While the Istanbul show is officially scrapped and refunds are being processed, the status of the Ankara date remains uncertain as fans await further updates from local promoters.

The cancellation has sparked a wider debate within Turkey regarding the erosion of secularism and the increasing use of administrative bans to police "public morality" in the arts.