Metal Fans Worldwide Honor Ariel Bibas With Tribute Shirt at Concerts
Ariel Bibas, who was tragically kidnapped and killed in Gaza at age four along with his mother Shiri and infant brother Kfir, continues to inspire many, including metal music fans globally. After Ariel's father, Yarden Bibas, was released from captivity, the family's love for metal music became widely known. This touched the heart of Avner Resel, a metal enthusiast and father of three, who began a personal tradition last year of taking a shirt commemorating Ariel to metal and rock concerts abroad. The shirt features Ariel's photo and the phrase "Ariel would love this show." In 2025, Resel took the shirt to concerts by Korn in Florence, Foo Fighters, and System of a Down in Milan.
Following Resel's viral Facebook post about this tribute, metal and rock fans traveling abroad requested to wear the shirt at concerts. One such fan, Shira Zar, wore it at a My Chemical Romance show in Florence, where it sparked emotional reactions and conversations. Zar emphasized the importance of showing support for Yarden Bibas and remembering Ariel amid widespread pro-Palestinian sentiments in the music scene.
Similarly, Andrei Drebkin, a father of three living in Toronto who relocated his family after October 7, printed the shirt himself for a Muse concert. He described encountering ignorance about the October 7 events in Canada and hopes the shirt will help raise awareness and spark dialogue. Drebkin arrived early to the concert to maximize exposure, noting that while people noticed the shirt, no discussions yet occurred.
Yarden Bibas expressed gratitude to Resel for the tribute, calling it a "small but immense gesture." Resel hopes the shirt will become a broader symbol within the metal community, encouraging more people to wear it at concerts in Israel and abroad. He envisions tribute shows for Shiri and the Bibas children and urges widespread participation to show that Ariel and his family are not forgotten, despite the risks involved in publicly displaying the message.
This initiative highlights how music and personal stories intersect to foster remembrance and solidarity across international metal fan communities.
