CANNIBAL CORPSE: Moscow Concert Canceled For 'Technical Reasons'

According to Interfax, CANNIBAL CORPSE's October 11 in Moscow, Russia was canceled at the last minute for "technical reasons."

"Everything was fine, and all the equipment had already been set up on stage. However, a few minutes prior to the concert's scheduled start, the organizer came out and told the audience that the show was canceled," said an eyewitness.

CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Pat O'Brien told C-Lebrity: "We played here several times [before], [and] there were no problems." Drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz added: "Nobody cared ever. We figured this was our sixth time here. So the other five times were fine."

CANNIBAL CORPSE's eight-date tour of Russia kicked off on October 2 in Krasnodar.

Dmitry Tsorionov, the head of "God's Will," a Russian Orthodox social movement, last month implored authorities in the country to cancel CANNIBAL CORPSE's tour, saying the musicians violate Russia's anti-blasphemy law.

Tsorionov (who sometimes goes by Dmitry Enteo) said believers condemned the band's lyrics, which promote "religious hatred" and describe in detail rape and murder of children.

In July 2013, Russia passed a new anti-blasphemy law introducing fines and possible prison sentences for offending the "feelings of religious believers."

CANNIBAL CORPSE is far from the only Western rock band to have run into problems in Russia recently. Back in June, shock rocker Marilyn Manson was forced to cancel his show in Moscow due to a bomb threat while another concert in Russia was scrapped over fears his performance would insult Orthodox believers and promote sadomasochism.

One month earlier, Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH had their concerts in Khabarovsk, Tomsk, Novosibirsk and Krasnodar canceled following a string of protests by Christian activists.