Behemoth Cancel India Show Owing to ‘Credible Threats’ to Safety and Security
The Polish extreme metal band were slated to perform in Bengaluru on March 3, 2026. The announcement follows a similar cancelation of two Turkey shows last week
Nergal from Behemoth performs on the concert as a part of The Unholy Trinity Tour at Showcenter on October 9, 2025 in Monterrey, Mexico. Photo: Medios y Media/Getty Images
Polish extreme metallers Behemoth have called off their upcoming India show in Bengaluru in March, citing “numerous credible threats stemming from religious Christian groups.”
The band took to social media to announce they will not be returning to India for their Chant of the Eastern Lands tour, with the performance originally slated for March 3, 2026. This marks the third show of the tour to be canceled due to a similar nature of complaints, with Behemoth’s show in Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey on Feb. 11 and 12, 2026, also canceled on the day of the shows.
Behemoth, who last performed in India in Hyderabad in 2016, said in a statement, “Over the past few weeks, we and our team have received numerous credible threats stemming from religious Christian groups who have been applying pressure to authorities and to the promoter in an effort to stop the show from taking place. These threats have raised serious concerns regarding the band’s safety and security, including the possibility of arrest or physical danger.”
“To our legions in India, we are deeply disappointed that we will not be able to perform for you on this occasion. We appreciate your support and hope to return soon,” the statement added. SkillBox confirmed on social media that all ticket holders will have their ticket fees automatically refunded. “Moments like these are deeply disheartening, not just for us, but for the wider live music community and the fans who make it all meaningful,” the promoter said.
The band said they were in touch with SkillBox, the local promoters of the India concert, which was to take place at Phoenix Marketcity in Bengaluru. “We want to make it clear that this cancellation is not the fault of the promoter, who has acted in good faith at every stage. Despite genuine efforts, it was not possible to obtain sufficient assurances that the band would be protected from legal consequences or security risks. On that basis, we have made the decision to cancel the show.”
Behemoth, whose music is often centered around anti-Christian and Satanic themes and have had a history of being prevented from performing in countries like Russia as well as their home country Poland, chalked their India cancelation to “another example of religious fanaticism attempting to impose itself on artistic expression.” The post added, “It is deeply concerning to see what feels like a growing movement toward censorship around the world. In this modern age, artists should not face intimidation, threats, or the risk of imprisonment for performing their art.”
The band, led by frontman Adam Darski aka Nergal, put forward that “regardless of religion, race, or culture, freedom of expression must remain a fundamental principle.” We believe it is important that people stand together in support of liberal values and creative freedom.”
