ANATHEMA Embroiled In 'Satanic' Controversy

April 10, 2009

LiverpoolEcho.co.uk reports that U.K. atmospheric rock band ANATHEMA had its concert in Tunisia cancelled when authorities believed rumors they were Satanists.

The group was ready to perform a sold-out gig in the capital Tunis in front of 1,000 fans when they were told they could not go ahead.

They hoped to reschedule for a couple of night later but the gig was cancelled a second time.

Guitar technician Darryl Anthony wrote in his blog: "Our promoter informed 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."

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."

Band member 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 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."

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