Slaughter To Prevail frontman Alex Terrible has responded to accusations of holding neo-Nazi, transphobic, and homophobic beliefs in a recent interview on the Downbeat podcast, hosted by Craig Reynolds of Stray From The Path.
The Russian-born, Florida-based deathcore vocalist, whose real name is Aleksandr Shikolai, denied being racist, transphobic, or homophobic, addressing allegations tied to past statements, photographs, and tattoos.
A major focus of the interview was Terrible’s now-covered Black Sun tattoo, previously on his right elbow. On the tattoo, Terrible explained:
“It was very popular [during Terrible’s teenage years in Russia] to join right-wing guys, which were very strong physically, smart, don’t drink. Before that, I was actually hanging out with members of decentralised anti-fascist movement Antifa, and we were just fucking drinking, using drugs and shit, and I almost died because of that, but not because I was hanging out with Antifa and Antifa are bad guys. Just because I was in bad company, you know? After that, I found myself alone at home and fucking completely lost. I started to ask myself, ‘Who the fuck am I?’ and what I’m living for. I started to read about esoterica, about energy and stuff. But, I’m not stupid. Of course I understand that it was used by the Third Reich, Nazis.”
He added:
“A lot of people in Russia, right-wing guys, they use these symbols like the Black Sun and runes and all this shit, but they’ve never been Nazi or racist or some shit like that.”
Terrible revealed that he covered the tattoo after a 2015 European tour was canceled due to the controversy and admitted that he did not fully appreciate the tattoo’s offensiveness until “three or four” years later.
The interview also touched on his Othala rune tattoo on his left foot and a controversial photo of Terrible wearing a White Rex hoodie, a brand owned by Russian far-right activist Denis Kapustin. Terrible explained:
“The hoodie was just available at a shopping mall in Russia. I put it on my fucking social media! Stupid and silly. I was not a boy – I was, like, around 20 or fucking 19 – but it doesn’t matter, it’s just excuses. I was stupid and I have to take this responsibility, because I wasn’t a boy. I wasn’t like 13 years old or fucking 14 years old; I was a grown man already. I understand, I’m paying the price right now.”
When asked directly if he is racist, homophobic, or LGBT-phobic, Terrible said no to all three. Regarding previous criticism of a 2023 Instagram post titled 4 Rules Of Real Man, he stated:
“If you don’t like that I’m a straight man and have traditional family values, please unfollow me! I don’t give a shit who are you and if you suck dicks, balls, ass or pussy, it’s not my fucking deal I don’t want to know that. That’s your personal fucking stuff.”
Terrible also reflected on himself, saying:
“I hate myself!”
When Reynolds followed up, asking if the only person he hates is himself, Terrible confirmed:
“Yeah! Literally!”
This episode represents Terrible’s most detailed public response to controversies surrounding his tattoos, statements, and social media activity.
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5 Comments
SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL’s Alex Terrible Responds to Racism and Transphobia Allegations: “I’m Paying the Price”
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Just seems weird that theres that many public instances of racist happenings, but hey if you are willing to say “Thats not me and i dont support hate” ill take it. I just wonder if like having that imagery is still kind of a problem? Like if i got a swastika at 14 or whatever, and i was like, “Yeah i know its a nazi symbol, but I dont mean to be or support nazis” I would think about removing that shit. Mostly because you’re on a big platform and a lot of people see you, and might look at that like dog whistling if they haven’t read this specific article you know? When you have a platform, what you do, say, and co-opt has an effect, and these guys are popular so I feel like it’s not really taking responsibility if you still are advertising it whether intended or not. Like if I wore a shirt I bought 20 years ago with a nazi symbol and walked into an American Legion, would they give a shit if I got it a long time ago? Would I be walking out of there on one piece? I dunno
“Allegations” more like crybabies are just mad that people don’t share the same opinions as they do.
Alan Smith this is exactly it. Dude has humbled himself three times a year for the last five years over it.. covered the tattoo and everything… still not enough. They’re just miserable and want others to be miserable too
I say whoever has a problem with him just go ahead and fight him