Rotting Christ‘s upcoming South African shows in early July will have to be played under an assumed name. The move comes as religious protestors continue to threaten performances from satanic bands such as the Greek outfit mentioned above and Behemoth, who have some March shows scheduled. Promoter Shaughn Pieterse tells Metal Hammer:
“What we’re going through is what the metal scene dealt with in the late 80s and early 90s, with religious folks challenging them and trying to stop the shows because they disagreed with the opinions and messages of the bands.
It started early last year with Witchfest 2015. In order to host an event you’ve got to get certain certificates from the council. Every time we made a move to do everything by the book, the councils were getting shot down by so-called Christians and religious protesters.
Every time we had to move venue we lost the deposit and you keep hemorrhaging money. But you have to make the show happen because if you don’t then they’ve won. You have to take quite a knock to show that they can’t stop you.
It’s started again with Behemoth and more so with Rotting Christ. But we even accommodated that and spoke to the band and they will be playing in South Africa under an alternative name so as not to offend people in that sense. Rotting Christ was maybe a little bit too far for some people, it’s really in your face.”
Metal Hammer notes that Rotting Christ have yet to reveal their temporary new moniker for the performances.
