Confess (band) explained

Background:group_or_band
Confess
Origin:Tehran, Iran
Label:Opposite Records
Current Members:
  • Nikan Khosravi
  • Arash Ilkhani
  • Erling Malm
  • Roger Tunheim Jakobsen
Past Members:
  • Mr. Master
  • DicTator
  • Samir "Outsider" Malikoghlou

Confess is an Iranian heavy metal band. They are known for having faced charges in Iran for their music, in which they expressed anti-religious and anti-government views. The band, at the time a duo, received prison sentences totalling 14.5 years.[1]

Background

Confess was formed in 2010 by Nikan Khosravi, and was later joined by Arash Ilkhani. They define their music as groove, nu metal, NWOAHM, and thrash.[2] Their major influences include Lamb of God, Slayer, Slipknot, Trivium, DevilDriver, and Chimaira.

Criminal charges and conviction

Khosravi and Ilkhani were arrested on 10 November 2015 and held in solitary confinement.[3] At that time, they potentially faced execution after being charged with blasphemy for "writing Satanic music and speaking to foreign radio stations". Their second album, In Pursuit of Dreams, included tracks entitled "Teh-Hell-Ran" and "I'm Your God Now", words which are considered blasphemous by Iran's hardline Islamic government.

The full charges levelled 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.[4]

As of January 2017, according to Raha Bahreini, Amnesty International's researcher on Iran, no band members were facing execution.[5] Khosravi and Ilkhani petitioned for political asylum in Norway and their petition was granted.

On 9 July 2019, the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran handed Khosravi and Ilkhani a combined sentence of 14 years in prison for the crime of playing metal. Khosravi was also sentenced to 74 lashes.[6]

Life in Norway and new music

Currently, the two live in Norway, where they continue to make music.[7] They have added two local musicians, Erling Malm and Roger Tunheim Jakobsen, to their touring lineup. In November 2019, they released the song "Army of Pigs!", with plans to issue their next album, titled Revenge at All Costs.[8] After a two-year delay, Revenge at All Costs was released on 21 January 2022.[9]

Band members

Current

Past

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Iranian Metal Band Confess Sentenced to 14 1/2 Years in Prison, 74 Lashes. Neilstein. Vince . MetalSucks. 9 July 2019. 16 July 2019.
  2. Web site: About. Confess. Facebook. 16 July 2019.
  3. News: Iranian metal band Confess reportedly facing execution. Hawker. Philippa . The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 February 2016. 16 July 2019.
  4. News: Metal band Confess reportedly jailed and facing execution for 'blasphemy' in Iran. Eleftheriou-Smith. Loulla-Mae . 17 February 2016. The Independent. 16 July 2019.
  5. Web site: Sadurni. Sumy . Sumy Sadurni. Welcome to Iran, Where Loving Metal Might Get You Killed . Vice . 14 March 2016 . 23 January 2017.
  6. Web site: Iran's Confess Sentenced to 14+ Years in Prison for Playing Metal. Hartmann. Graham . Loudwire. 9 July 2019. 16 July 2019.
  7. Web site: Iranian Heavy Metal Band Members Escape to Norway After Receiving Prison Sentences. 30 July 2019. Center for Human Rights in Iran. 31 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205023130/https://www.iranhumanrights.org/2019/07/iranian-heavy-metal-band-members-escape-to-norway-after-receiving-prison-sentences/. 5 December 2019. dead.
  8. Web site: Iranian Refugee Band CONFESS Release New Song "Army of Pigs!" To Raise Awareness for Iranian Protests . metalinjection . 18 November 2019 . 18 August 2020.
  9. Web site: Confess premiere new video Megalodon MMH. mmhradio.co.uk. 10 October 2021. 1 October 2021.

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