Metal has always been a genre that divides opinion. Some see it as an art form that channels raw emotion and rebellion, while others—especially in more conservative societies—view it as dangerous or even evil. In many places, the backlash is just social stigma. But in some countries, the consequences are far more extreme. In Iran, playing metal isn’t just frowned upon—it can land musicians in prison.
In fact, two Iranian metal bands, Arsames and Confess, found themselves at the center of a brutal crackdown for their music in the past. Accused of blasphemy, anti-government propaganda, and promoting ‘satanic’ values, they were arrested and faced severe prison sentences.
Arsames: Music Branded As ‘Satanic’
Arsames, a death metal band active since 2002, built a strong reputation in the region. Despite metal being considered illegal in Iran, they played shows in places like Turkey, Dubai, and Armenia, managing to keep their music alive under the radar. But in 2020, the Iranian government came after them.
The band members were arrested and charged with 15 years in prison. The official charge? Being part of a ‘satanic metal band’ and opposing the Islamic government. Their arrest wasn’t just about the music—it was about control. The government saw metal as a threat to its strict cultural and religious policies, and Arsames became a target.
After their arrest, the band members, initially released on bail, escaped their country. “Is it a crime that we are playing metal music!?” they later wrote in a statement. “Is it [a] crime that we are talking about Persian history?! Is it a crime that you think we are into Satanism when we have songs about Cyrus the Great and monotheism!? Is it a crime that we love music and our country?!”
Confess: From Prison Cells To Norwegian Asylum
For the members of Confess, the nightmare started in 2015. Vocalist/guitarist Nikan Khosravi and DJ Arash Ilkhani were arrested for writing anti-establishment lyrics. Charged with blasphemy and propaganda against the state, they were thrown into Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.
Khosravi spent three months in solitary confinement, enduring psychological torture. For 18 months, he and Ilkhani remained locked up, waiting for trial. Eventually, they were convicted and sentenced to six years in prison. But before they could be thrown back behind bars, they managed to flee the country, eventually seeking asylum in Norway.
Later, free from Iran’s grasp, Khosravi used his music to fight back. Confess released ‘Revenge at All Costs,’ to share their struggle. Songs like ‘Evin’ and ‘Phoenix Rises’ took direct aim at their former captors, making it clear that the Iranian government failed to silence them.
Despite being safe in Norway, the Iranian authorities didn’t let go easily. After the album’s release, Khosravi’s sentence was extended to 12.5 years, with an added punishment of 74 lashes. But he refused to back down. “We are making the statement that you cannot do this to a human,” he told The Guardian in 2022. “Now, I have so much potential to cause damage from far away.”
What Are They Doing Now?
Confess’ latest album, ‘Destination Addiction,’ arrived in January 2025. Some critics described the follow-up to ‘Revenge at All Costs’ as the band’s ‘career-best.’ Meanwhile, Confess’ whereabouts remained unclear, but they certainly didn’t give up on metal, either. Most recetly, the group released the English version of their ‘My Name Is Cyrus’ on their YouTube.
