Anathema - Concert In Tunisia Cancelled, Band Accused Of Satanism
As reported by Liverpool Echo, Liverpool-based Anathema who were about to play to more than 1,000 fans in Tunisia had the plug pulled on their concert when authorities believed rumours they were Satanists.
Anfield group Anathema were ready to perform a sold out gig in the capital Tunis when they were told they could not go ahead. They hoped to reschedule for a couple of nights later but the gig was cancelled a second time.
Guitar technician Darryl Anthony wrote in his blog: "Our promoter told us that somebody has informed the Tunisian interior ministry that Anathema are Satan worshippers who eat black cats and drink their blood. The ministry have requested song lyrics to peruse over the weekend in order to put their minds at rest."
Anathema formed in 1990 and have released a number of critically acclaimed albums, and although their roots are in dark doom-death metal, their sound has evolved over the years to a more melodic rock sound. Their lyrics, often focusing on love and loss, have never been a matter of controversy and they often play special gigs with accompaniment from friends in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
After the Tunisian show - due to take place in a deconsecrated cathedral - was cancelled last weekend, the band tried to make amends by playing a stripped-down acoustic set for 50 fans at their hotel.
Anthony added to his blog: "It's such a shame for all the Tunisian fans. We don't really know why this happened and who really was to blame - there's been a lot of talk and a lot of silence surrounding the whole affair."
The band plan to reschedule the gig in future.
Danny Cavanagh said: "If you read any of our lyrics, you'll see nothing could be further from the truth than what's been said. We don't even swear in our songs, a lot of lyrics are about healing, and light and are very positive. We're just normal lads - the last band you could accuse of Satanism. I think all it was a rival promoter using any means he could to get the show cancelled and using the magic words 'heavy metal' worked. But there's been a lot of misinformation. It could have been our promoter at that end didn't have the papers in order. This has been big news in Tunisia and a lot of people have been disappointed and we're hoping to go back in June to repay everbody's good faith."
Fans said that the Tunisian authorities should be "ashamed". Aziz Hmaidi said: "We really hope that Anathema will come back to Tunisia. This was a real shame for us, for our country's image, especially because it was the first visit of the band here."
Anfield group Anathema were ready to perform a sold out gig in the capital Tunis when they were told they could not go ahead. They hoped to reschedule for a couple of nights later but the gig was cancelled a second time.
Guitar technician Darryl Anthony wrote in his blog: "Our promoter told us that somebody has informed the Tunisian interior ministry that Anathema are Satan worshippers who eat black cats and drink their blood. The ministry have requested song lyrics to peruse over the weekend in order to put their minds at rest."
Anathema formed in 1990 and have released a number of critically acclaimed albums, and although their roots are in dark doom-death metal, their sound has evolved over the years to a more melodic rock sound. Their lyrics, often focusing on love and loss, have never been a matter of controversy and they often play special gigs with accompaniment from friends in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
After the Tunisian show - due to take place in a deconsecrated cathedral - was cancelled last weekend, the band tried to make amends by playing a stripped-down acoustic set for 50 fans at their hotel.
Anthony added to his blog: "It's such a shame for all the Tunisian fans. We don't really know why this happened and who really was to blame - there's been a lot of talk and a lot of silence surrounding the whole affair."
The band plan to reschedule the gig in future.
Danny Cavanagh said: "If you read any of our lyrics, you'll see nothing could be further from the truth than what's been said. We don't even swear in our songs, a lot of lyrics are about healing, and light and are very positive. We're just normal lads - the last band you could accuse of Satanism. I think all it was a rival promoter using any means he could to get the show cancelled and using the magic words 'heavy metal' worked. But there's been a lot of misinformation. It could have been our promoter at that end didn't have the papers in order. This has been big news in Tunisia and a lot of people have been disappointed and we're hoping to go back in June to repay everbody's good faith."
Fans said that the Tunisian authorities should be "ashamed". Aziz Hmaidi said: "We really hope that Anathema will come back to Tunisia. This was a real shame for us, for our country's image, especially because it was the first visit of the band here."
| liverpoolecho.co.uk | |
| Band profile: | Anathema |
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| AiwiAstwihad AiryanaKhvarenah Posts: 1421  |
Written by Black Winter on 11.04.2009 at 13:01 That explains it, Thanks. I actually was about to write something angry and well, kinda off topic....
---- You who will come to the surface
From the flood that's overwhelmed us and drowned us all Must think, when you speak of our weakness in times of darkness That you've not had to face
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| Lapkritis Posts: 10  |
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| Powerslavex Alexskywalker Posts: 777  |
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| Pegasus Posts: 19  |
Hmmm...very strange....being honest i dont think its something related to religion...i mean it could be just a fake excuse since the Tunisian regime is a pure secularist regime and even much of the simple religious rights r forbidden there...
---- Still I dream but now I know I dream a lie...so I close my eyes and I die...
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| Glabrezu Posts: 107  |
I'm sorry for tunisian fans. I hope that all tunisian authorities die impaled. Branch of idiots...
---- Exploring life Without fear without feeling I am one with my torment And forever blind
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| brandomaster90 Posts: 29  |
Even if they are satanic, who the fuck cares? its just another form of religion like christianity... this is the modern day
---- Long live Metal
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| un/heart/ed The Sufferer Posts: 76  |
Satanism is not a religion
---- My only thrill alone in my own hell
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| Thought. A Dying God Posts: 90  |
I'll believe Britney Spears is a satanist long before i'd believe Anathema are.
---- There is no God but the one that dies with me. I have no life but the one I take with me to the grave. We come into this world alone. And we will die on our own. I live. I die. Ain Elohim.
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| Raven Of Death Posts: 66  |
Fucking news !!!! in our arabic countries always the people accused the Metal Band that they are satanic because they don't understand any thing some of them are listening to Spanish Band which is name "666" and the fools don't know that this band is the mother of Satanic but they love it because its music and the Fooliness is Going on Forever in Arab
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| The Night Wisher Posts: 149  |
Written by Enissa on 11.04.2009 at 14:13 I am with you 100% in Syria there won't be any gigs, because of that silly reason "Satanism" Althought we don't ask anyone to bring us "Dimmu Borgir" or "Immortal", we just want bands like Anathema, Metallica , Megadeth , Slayer , Nightwish ...etc But Unfortunately No band dare to come to Syria, I went to a local rock concert by a band called "The Core" and they didn't dare to play more Metal songs after they played "Wherever I may Roam - Metallica" , although they must have noticed that the fans jumped from their seats when they've heard the intro of the song all because of the silly reason "Satanism" , but anyway Tunisia is away better at least they see bands like "Epica" .
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| Zuzuz0r Posts: 507  |
Anathema, satanism...sense this makes not.
---- If this grand panorama before me is what you call God Then God is not dead.
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| Ellrohir Heaven Knight Posts: 8669  |
At least you see, how czech Antifa works...they already accused from nacism practically every single black metal band...and people belief...
---- My rest seems now calm and deep Finally I got my dead man sleep 
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