Confess released their debut album “Beginning of Dominion” in 2012, with a heavier, death metal-leaning sound, followed by “In Pursuit of Dreams” in 2015. Soon after the second album’s release, both founding members were arrested and imprisoned in solitary confinement for their outspoken lyrics, facing charges including blasphemy and propaganda against the state, which carried the threat of a lengthy prison sentence and corporal punishment. After more than a year in prison, they were able to escape Iran, first to Turkey and then to Norway, where they received asylum.wikipedia+6youtube
Once based in Norway, Confess rebuilt their lineup with local musicians and resumed playing and recording music without fear of persecution. Their third album, “Revenge at All Costs” (2022), chronicled their experiences and received significant critical acclaim—Metal Hammer listed it among the best metal albums of the year. In 2025, they’re set to release “Destination: Addiction,” which continues their mix of personal struggle, protest, and heavy, groove-driven metal, earning attention in the international metal scene.metal-archives+4
Key current and past members include:
Nikan Khosravi (vocals/guitar), founding member and primary songwriter
Arash Ilkhani (DJ/sampler and electronics)
Norwegian musicians have joined the lineup for touring and recent albums.last+2
Confess is recognized not just for their music but for their resistance—both artistic and literal—to political oppression, and they openly describe themselves as “a five-piece street protest”. Their story has been widely reported in global media as an example of music defying censorship and persecution.metal.fandom+4
The members of Confess managed to escape Iran through a combination of clandestine action, external support, and international asylum programs. After they were arrested in November 2015 on charges such as blasphemy and propagating anti-state sentiment through their music, Nikan Khosravi and Arash Ilkhani spent months in solitary confinement and then were released on bail while still facing severe sentences—over a decade in prison and, in Khosravi’s case, 74 lashes.iranhumanrights+2
Their escape unfolded in stages:
Khosravi’s Escape: After being banned from leaving Iran and having his passport confiscated, Khosravi made use of underground networks. He arranged for a human trafficker—recommended through family contacts—to help him cross the border into Turkey illegally. The journey took about five to six days, ending with a bus ride to Istanbul.loudwire+1
Ilkhani’s Route: Ilkhani was initially not under a travel ban and managed to leave Iran legally for Turkey before traveling to Norway a few weeks later.iranhumanrights
Once both band members reached Turkey, they used their situation as persecuted artists to apply for political asylum through organizations like ICORN (International Cities of Refuge Network) and Freemuse, both noted for helping at-risk artists. Norway granted them asylum, allowing them to start rebuilding their lives and careers in relative safety.loudersound+3
Rebuilding in Norway
After arriving in Norway, Confess faced the complex process of starting anew:
They added local Norwegian musicians to the band’s lineup, expanding Confess into a group capable of writing, recording, and touring in Europe.news.sky+1
The band released new music, notably the album “Revenge at All Costs” in 2022 and subsequent projects, chronicling the ordeal and expressing reflections on censorship, freedom, and resistance.confessband+1
They became part of Norway’s artistic community, often speaking about their story as an example of music’s power in the face of political repression.metalhasnoborders+1
Challenges included adapting to a new culture and rebuilding their professional and personal networks from scratch. In interviews, Khosravi has stressed the importance of mutual support, both within the band and from international organizations, in overcoming the trauma of persecution and solitary confinement.news.sky+1
Confess’s journey from Iran to Norway is now regarded as an emblematic story of artistic defiance and survival, with the Norwegian metal scene offering not just a safe haven, but also renewed opportunities for creative expression and activism.heavymetal+1
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