Even in 2025, black metal can still get you arrested.
Five members of the Turkish band SARINVOMIT were taken into custody on September 16, 2025, accused of “insulting religious values” and “inciting hatred and hostility.” The Anadolu state news agency reported that prosecutors in İstanbul launched an investigation into the band’s lyrics and social media posts alleged to have disparaged religion.
After being questioned, the members — identified only as B.S., Ç.Y., G.K., İ.A.K., and K.R.Ç. — denied all accusations, telling prosecutors they had not performed the songs in question and had no connection to the cited posts. Despite their defense, a judge ordered all five to be held pending trial on charges of “inciting hatred and hostility or insulting the public.”
They remained imprisoned until October 20, when they were released — but the consequences were already irreversible.
The court has reportedly ordered the band to disband and remove all their music from streaming platforms.
All Sarinvomit releases have vanished from Spotify, their Facebook page has been deleted, and their Instagram account now reads simply:
“Split-up in 2025, band is not active anymore.”
The Legal and Cultural Fallout
Under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code, publicly insulting religious values shared by part of the population is a criminal act punishable by up to one year in prison if deemed likely to “disturb public peace.”
Formed in İstanbul in 2013, Sarinvomit became a fixture in Turkey’s underground metal scene for their fusion of black and death metal. Their 2018 album “Malignant Thermonuclear Supremacy” gained notoriety for its destructive themes and provocative artwork — typical for the genre, but apparently too much for Turkish authorities.
The arrests have renewed debate over artistic freedom and censorship in Turkey, where musicians, artists, and journalists continue to face legal challenges over expression deemed “offensive” or “indecent.”
Earlier this month, members of the Turkish girl band Manifest were placed under judicial supervision and travel bans after being investigated for “obscene acts” during a performance. In July, five staff members of the satirical magazine LeMan were arrested over a caricature accused of depicting the Prophet Muhammad — charges they firmly denied.
Freedom of Expression on Trial
Rights groups argue that Turkey’s laws on “insulting religion” and “public morality” are increasingly used to silence cultural voices. In Europe, seeing musicians arrested and legally forced to split up is almost unheard of — yet Turkey continues to walk the thin line between modern democracy and medieval blasphemy law.
Because while Turkey wants to join the European Union, it seems black metal still needs a special permit to exist.
