Confess (band)

Lore & Background

Confess was formed in 2010 by Nikan Khosravi, who was later joined by Arash Ilkhani. The duo defined their music as groove, nu metal, NWOAHM, and thrash. They released two albums before their arrest on 10 November 2015, after which they were held in solitary confinement. Their second album, In Pursuit of Dreams, included tracks entitled 'Teh-Hell-Ran' and 'I'm Your God Now', words considered blasphemous by Iran's hardline Islamic government.

After their arrest, the duo potentially faced execution after being charged with blasphemy for 'writing Satanic music and speaking to foreign radio stations'. The full charges reportedly included blasphemy; advocating 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. As of January 2017, according to Raha Bahreini of Amnesty International, no band members were facing execution. 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 14.5 years in prison for the crime of playing metal. Khosravi was also sentenced to 74 lashes. Currently, the two live in Norway, where they continue to make music. 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, Revenge at All Costs, which was released on 21 January 2022 after a two-year delay.

Reader's Guide

Confess is significant as an Iranian metal band whose music and views led to severe legal consequences under Iran's hardline Islamic government. Their case highlights the risks artists face in countries where anti-religious and anti-government expression is criminalized. The band's arrest, potential execution, and eventual 14.5-year prison sentence for 'playing metal' underscore the tension between artistic freedom and state censorship. Their successful petition for political asylum in Norway allowed them to continue their musical career, releasing new material like the 2022 album Revenge at All Costs. The band's story is a notable example of how metal music can become a vehicle for political and religious dissent, and the personal costs that can accompany such expression. Their legacy includes raising awareness about the persecution of musicians in Iran and the broader struggle for freedom of expression in the arts.

Did You Know?

• The duo was arrested on 10 November 2015 and held in solitary confinement.
• They received a combined prison sentence of 14.5 years on 9 July 2019.