A fundraiser launched by advocacy group Metalheads for Humanity aims to get metal band Rig Veda and other artists out of Afghanistan before it's too late.

The New York Times recently noted that "The Taliban banned most forms of music when they previously ruled Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001," citing its "history of violence toward artists and its general intolerance for music without religious meaning." Over the past 20 years, a healthy music scene has thrived in Kabul, but with the recent Taliban takeover, many local artists are afraid of being targeted and/or killed.

The members of Rig Veda have already made the Taliban kill list, thus the necessity of Heavy Metal Airlift.

Explained Rig Veda founder Metal Sam, “Rig Veda is not satanic, as the Taliban claim; we do this for freedom of expression." Added Metalheads for Humanity co-founder Doug Cameron, "This is a shitshow of epic proportions. It’s clear the U.S. government isn’t going to do anything to help these bands. Our brethren are trapped. We feel a responsibility for what’s going on. The global metal community needs to act now.”

MFH is trying to raise $250,000 to charter a military plane to get Rig Veda and other musicians out of the country.

For details and to donate, go here.