As death metal bands tend to have happen to them in religious countries, Defiled's upcoming show in Malaysia has been cancelled over religious concerns. According to a statement from Season Of Mist, local Christian authorities The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) have successfully petitioned the government to cancel shows in both Sibu on April 21 and Miri on April 20.
Here's what Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri, CCM general secretary, had to say about the cancellations.
"The CCM calls upon the relevant authorities to explain the basis for granting permission to such bands that promote their music by using extremely offensive and denigrating language that can hurt the religious feelings of others. This will be considered an affront to the religious sentiments of Christians in the country."
Apparently Shastri is unaware that nobody actually has to attend these shows – you can just stay home and not participate. That's always an option. Though the Sibu and Miru dates take place on the Saturday before Easter and Easter Sunday, so maybe that's what he means by "an affront to the religious sentiments of Christians in the country"?
Defiled guitarist Yusuke Sumita has responded to the CCM's actions, saying death meal "is just music, like a movie is just a movie!" Sumita goes on to make a ton of great points that always get overlooked by hardheaded religious officials, but need to be said anyway.
"I am quite disappointed that some people still have serious misunderstanding about metal music and metal heads in general. Music is just music, like a movie is just a movie! Some bands may be singing about Satan, but it has to be understood that metal music is just metaphor to stand for intentional aberration. Metal heads listen to metal music for the energy and to have fun; and also indulge in various forms of black humor, making it a kind of cathartic activity, helping them to momentarily forget about daily life's pressure and issues. Most metal heads are peaceful and open minded individuals, nobody has intentions of hurting anyone. Nothing more, nothing less. I truly hope people will start to understand that."
Catch Defiled on tour with Immolation and Broken Hope at one of the dates below. Which still includes Johor Bahru in Malaysia.
18 Apr 19 Taipei (TW) Revolver (no Immolation & Broken Hope)
19 Apr 19 Johor Bahru (MY) Rockin Jamz (no Immolation & Broken Hope)
10 Sep 19 Osaka (JP) Pangea
11 Sep 19 Nagoya (JP) Three Stage
12 Sep 19 Tokyo (JP) Cyclone
