Confess (band)

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.[2]

Confess
OriginTehran, Iran
Genres
Years active
  • 2010–2015
  • 2018–present
LabelsOpposite Records
MembersNikan Khosravi
Arash Ilkhani
Erling Malm
Roger Tunheim Jakobsen
Past membersMr.Master
"DicTator"
Samir "Outsider" Malikoghlou

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.[3] Their major influences include Lamb of God, Slayer, Slipknot, Trivium, DevilDriver, and Chimaira.[3]

Criminal charges and conviction

Khosravi and Ilkhani were arrested on 10 November 2015 and held in solitary confinement.[4] 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.[5]

As of January 2017, according to Raha Bahreini, Amnesty International's researcher on Iran, no band members were facing execution.[6] 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 141⁄2 years in prison for the crime of playing metal. Khosravi was also sentenced to 74 lashes.[7]

Life in Norway and new music

Currently, the two live in Norway, where they continue to make music.[8] 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.[9] After a two-year delay, Revenge at All Costs was released on 21 January 2022.[10]

Band members

Current

  • Nikan "Siyanor" Khosravi – vocals, guitar (2010–present)
  • Arash "Chemical" Ilkhani – bass (2011–2012), DJ, sampler (2014–present)


Past

  • "Mr. Master" – DJ, sampler (2011–14)
  • "DicTator" – guitar (2012–14); touring drummer (2015)
  • Samir "Outsider" Malikoghlou – drums (2015)
  • Erling Malm – rhythm guitar, bass (live member, 2019–20)
  • Roger Tunheim Jakobsen – drums (2019–2022)
  • Edvard Sundquist – bass (2020–2022)
  • Steffen Normark – guitar (2020–2022)

Discography

Studio albums

  • Beginning of Dominion (2012)
  • In Pursuit of Dreams (2015)
  • Revenge at All Costs (2022)

EPs

  • Back to My Future (2014)

Singles

  • "Encase Your Gun" (2012)
  • "Painted of Pain" (2012)
  • "Edge of Mind" (2013)
  • "Phoenix Rises" (2018)
  • "Evin" (2019)
  • "Army of Pigs!" (2019)
  • "Evin (live)" (2020)
  • "Eat What You Kill" (2020)
  • "Megalodon" (2021)
  • "Ransom Note" (2021)

References
  1. Sadurni, Sumy (14 March 2016). "Welcome to Iran, Where Loving Metal Might Get You Killed". Vice. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  2. Neilstein, Vince (9 July 2019). "Iranian Metal Band Confess Sentenced to 14 1/2 Years in Prison, 74 Lashes". MetalSucks. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  3. "About". Confess. Retrieved 16 July 2019 – via Facebook.
  4. Hawker, Philippa (22 February 2016). "Iranian metal band Confess reportedly facing execution". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  5. Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (17 February 2016). "Metal band Confess reportedly jailed and facing execution for 'blasphemy' in Iran". The Independent. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  6. Sadurni, Sumy (14 March 2016). "Welcome to Iran, Where Loving Metal Might Get You Killed". Vice. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  7. Hartmann, Graham (9 July 2019). "Iran's Confess Sentenced to 14+ Years in Prison for Playing Metal". Loudwire. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  8. "Iranian Heavy Metal Band Members Escape to Norway After Receiving Prison Sentences". Center for Human Rights in Iran. 30 July 2019. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  9. "Iranian Refugee Band CONFESS Release New Song "Army of Pigs!" To Raise Awareness for Iranian Protests". metalinjection. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  10. "Confess premiere new video Megalodon MMH". mmhradio.co.uk. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
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