Published: January 30, 2025
Heavy metal is considered blasphemous and forbidden in Iran and can lead to severe punishment, imprisonment and even death
The Court of Appeal in Norway has rejected the final appeal of Iranian black metal musician Atash (who performs under the project name Kaaboos), leaving him with no further legal recourse. He now faces imminent deportation to Iran, where he is at grave risk of torture and prosecution due to his music and activism.
Atash's case highlights the severe persecution faced by artists in Iran who challenge the regime's oppressive laws. Heavy metal music is considered blasphemous and forbidden, with those associated with it facing severe punishment, including imprisonment and even death.
Atash's situation is particularly precarious due to his public profile. He has openly protested against the Iranian government, including a performance outside the Iranian embassy in Oslo in 2023. "My face is all over the internet," Atash stated in a previous appeal to the Norwegian government. "Upon return to Iran my life would be in great danger due to the recognition I have received from the governmental people, also known as Basij."
In addition to his music and activism, Atash faces compulsory military service in Iran, which he has been absent from since leaving the country. This absence, combined with his artistic expression and public protests, makes his return to Iran a near-certainty of imprisonment and further persecution. He previously expressed concerns about facing execution.
"I beg you to spare my parents the thought of losing a son," Atash pleaded in his letter to the Norwegian government.
Atash's music project, Kaaboos, which translates to "Nightmare" in Farsi/Persian, uses black metal as a vehicle to express his experiences and challenge the oppressive environment he fled. His music reflects the struggles against religious and dictatorial oppression in Iran. His latest album, "Anti-Cosmic Rebellion", is available digitally, with physical versions to follow in 2025. Two videos from his performance outside the Iranian embassy in Oslo, "Wrath of Gods" and a Taake cover, are available online. "Wrath of Gods" was featured as Metal Hammer UK's track of the week.
