Slaughter To Prevail vocalist Alex Terrible issued a new statement on social media today, September 14th,. In it, he once again denied allegations of Nazism that have plagued him through much of his career with the Russian deathcore outfit. Terrible went on to address his Black Sun tattoo, which has since went on to cover up, and his past ties to to hanging around with ‘right-wing people.’ He also spoke of how some have refused to work with him given his past, which has also included denied allegations of homophobia. His new statement reads:
“I want to make something very clear to anyone who works with me, wants to work with me, or is considering doing business with me in the future.
I have big plans for my music, my career, and everything I’m building around it. Over the years, some people and companies have chosen not to work with me because of controversies surrounding my past. Some of them have even told me privately that they respect me and support me, but they’re afraid of how being associated with me might affect their reputation.
I understand that. Everyone has the right to make their own decision. But I also want people to understand exactly where I stand. I am not a Nazi. I have never considered myself a Nazi, and I never will.
When I was a teenager in Russia, I spent time around right-wing people and the football hooligan subculture. I knew what the Black Sun was and I knew its history. But within the specific subculture I was part of in Russia at that time, I did not perceive wearing that symbol as a declaration of Nazism or fascism. To me, it represented something extreme, rebellious, and connected to the environment I was surrounded by.
Looking at it now as an adult, I understand that my personal interpretation of a symbol doesn’t erase its history or what it represents to other people. I understand why people see it and immediately make certain assumptions about me. I also understand that choosing to put that symbol on my body was my decision, and I take responsibility for that decision. But it does not mean that I was, or am, a Nazi.
At that point in my life, I could barely even leave my house because of panic attacks, depression, and heart problems after an overdose.
And I’m saying this clearly right now: I am not right-wing. I am not left-wing. I am a musician, a father, and a husband who is trying to understand himself and become a better version of himself every single day.
If you don’t want to move forward with me or work with me because of the controversy surrounding my past, I understand. But I also won’t work with you in the future.
A lot of people turned their backs on me in the past, but once I became successful, suddenly they wanted to work with me despite the exact same controversy. No, thank you.
And to everyone who has worked with me and continues to work with me — every label, band, company, and every person involved — I truly appreciate you. I understand that sometimes you’re putting your own reputation on the line by standing beside me.
Thank you, genuinely, for not turning your backs on me because of the mistakes I made in my past, and for believing in me as a human being.”
