Alex the Terrible - Not so Terrible
Alex the Terrible - Not so Terrible
BY Kelsey Sheppard
Russian-born and larger than life, Aleksandr Shikolay has built a career on extremity. Better known as Alex the Terrible, the shirtless, bear-wrestling frontman of Slaughter to Prevail is covered in tattoos, sports scarification across his face, and growls low enough to be heard across a festival crowd without a microphone. One track from the band’s latest album is titled “Lift That Shit,” a fitting gym anthem for the brutal image he has cultivated. And no, I still have no idea what he is screaming most of the time — I do not speak Russian.
Shikolay’s latest venture has been bare-knuckle fighting. I saw him at Welcome to Rockville at Daytona Speedway just a few nights after he was knocked out in the third round against PBR bull rider Cameron “The Bull” Delano. Shikolay performed on a small stage with a packed crowd on the festival’s final night. A massive bear loomed behind the band — mouth agape as if roaring — while the members performed in their signature demonic masks. Despite appearances, Shikolay’s post-fight interview and his presence on stage were both endearing - he said, “a lot of people say I’m tough - I’m not tough. I’m scared literally of everything but I try to fight my fears.” Beneath the intimidation and spectacle is someone driven less by invincibility than by confrontation with fear itself.
Digging deeper reveals an even softer side. Shikolay has publicly opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has argued that patriotism should never silence dissent. He also supports charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, though his greatest passion is animal welfare. He has helped rescue orphaned bears and fund their care; “Donate for bears” is the first item featured on his website. Fittingly, when he spoke about bears onstage, his voice — usually monstrous — shook with tenderness.
For all the chaos Alex the Terrible projects, the most striking part of his persona may be the humanity beneath it. Behind the growls, scars, and spectacle is a man whose loudest statement is not about violence or fearlessness, but compassion.
