Confess (band)
Confess is an Iranian band of musicians in the heavy metal genre.[1] Band members Nikan "Siyanor" Khosravi and Arash "Chemical" Ilkhani were arrested on 10 November, 2015 and held in solitary confinement.[2] At that time, they potentially faced execution after being charged with blasphemy for 'writing satanic music and speaking to foreign radio stations'. Their latest album included tracks named 'Teh-Hell-Ran' and 'I'm Your God Now', which are among the titles that may be considered blasphemous by Iran's hardline Islamic government.
The full charges levied against the band reportedly included blasphemy; advertising against the system; forming and running an illegal band and record label “in the satanic metal & rock music style”; writing anti-religious, atheist, political and anarchistic lyrics; and conducting interviews with “forbidden” foreign radio stations.[3]
Formed in 2010, Confess is based in Tehran, Iran and defines its music as Groove / Nu Metal / N.W.O.A.H.M / Thrash. Its members are "Siyanor" : Vocalist / Lead & Bass Guitars; "DicTator" : Drummer "Touring Member"; "Chemical" : DJ / Sampler; and "Outsider" : Drummer "Recording Member". [4]
As of January 2017, according to Raha Bahreini, Amnesty International’s Researcher on Iran, no band members were facing execution. However, they may still suffer consequences as a result of Iran's crackdown on freedom of expression.[5]
References
- ↑ "Iranian heavy metal band Confess face execution after being charged with blasphemy". Mail Online. 19 February 2016.
- ↑ Philippa Hawker. "Iranian metal band Confess reportedly facing execution". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ↑ Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith (17 February 2016). "Metal band Confess reportedly jailed and facing execution for ‘blasphemy’ in Iran". The Independent.
- ↑ "Security Check Required".
- ↑ "Welcome to Iran, Where Loving Metal Might Get You Killed - Noisey". Noisey.vice.com. Retrieved 2017-01-23.