Heavy Metal Drummer 'Forced To Flee Iran'

An exiled Iranian man claims he’s been forced to flee his home country due to his love of heavy metal music.

The unnamed 28-year-old, who covertly performed as a metal drummer in Iran, attempted to gain refuge in Australia because he feared for his life.

Currently being held by Australian authorities at a controversial asylum seekers detention centre on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, the man wrote an anonymous email to Aussie newspaper The Age where he detailed his plight.

He explained that the catalyst for his escape was when the notoriously intolerant authorities started to crack down on music fans.

“In an underground concert more than 60 fans were arrested, charged and locked up. Players were taken to Intelligence. Two teachers of mine were arrested also.”

Driven by fear, he says he sold his drums and removed himself from society: “I deleted every history of my music from my life because of my fear of being arrested by the government who were intent on stopping this music.

“During this time six musicians that I knew were arrested in their training place. After that no one contacted each other, even on Facebook.”

He added: “Because heavy metal is completely prohibited and illegal in Iran, and… because of the religion and misjudgments, it's known as 'Evil Music'”

Describing executions as “as common as eating a piece a cake”, the man eventually tried to gain asylum in Australia.

According to The Age, the heavy metal fan is one of 221 people being held at Manus.