Commented BEHEMOTH guitarist/vocalist Adam “Nergal” Darski: “It’s crazy. The making-of video is 10 minutes long and you watch it like it was three minutes… it’s so intense, and still, [it] doesn’t look like anything we’ve done before!

“‘Lucifer’ was a huge artistic challenge and I managed to create a VERY unique atmosphere.”

BEHEMOTH recently rehearsed for the first time since Darski was diagnosed with leukemia last August. The group also started writing a new song, which was described by Nergal as “fast, furious, but more evil in a way.”

In an interview with Metal Sucks, Nergal stated about BEHEMOTH’s upcoming touring activities, “The October shows [in Poland] are just to get warmed up. Then we might do some shows in Australia and Asia — that’s the plan. Then the priority for early 2012 is a European tour, then shortly after that, a U.S. tour. This is our top priority for the next year and we’re going to fucking do it!”

He added, “Just wait and see us on the stage. You’ll see. I’m not going to reveal anything about it, but we … It’s not gonna just be BEHEMOTH. It’s not like time stood still for us, like we were frozen in time and are just going to appear with the same entourage and in the same outfits. No. We’re going to come back, we want to remind people of our existence obviously, but we want to make a fucking impact, an impression. We want to show them that, hey, we are still fucking evolving. We’re not just hoping that you’ll come to see us because I was sick. Fuck that. I’ll be better soon and we’re going to deliver!”

“Lucifer” video:

Behemoth “Lucifer” (OFFICIAL VIDEO | Uncensored) from Metal Blade Records on Vimeo.

Making of “Lucifer” video:

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

More photos from Nergal’s Newsweek photo session can be seen at Newsweek.pl.

Darski is currently taking part in the Polish version of the hit singing competition “The Voice”, appropriately named “The Voice Of Poland”.

In a recent interview with Terrorizer magazine, Nergal stated about his new television gig, “It’s going to be fun. The first black metal judge ever in history doing a mainstream thing, you know? People are going to freak out! Some are going to love it, some are going to fucking hate it. But that’s what this music has always been about, right? To provoke, to cause different opinions. The more extreme opinions, the better, I think.”

He added of the attention he has received in his home country, “This so-called celebrity life is not my environment at all, but I am a part of it if I want it or not. So it’s been crazy. Then the whole case with my sickness and me getting out alive [Nergal was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2010 and underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure in December. — Ed.], it just brought some extra attention to it. And there’s definitely some people that want to make some money on it because it’s a cool story for them to write about and stuff, but I was like, ‘Okay, if they’re going to make money, I want to have my share, too.’ I was away from music and away from being active live for a good year, so yeah, I need to get something in return!”

It was previously reported in the Polish media that the producers of “The Voice Of Poland” were hoping that Nergal’s presence on the program would attract a new audience as well as improve its chances of competing against rival television talent-show franchise “X Factor”.

The American version of “The Voice” was a big hit for NBC and helped breathe new life into the careers of coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green.

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

Nergal, who underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure in December, said,, “It’s been two weeks since we began rehearsing for tour. Things are going very smoothly and the chemistry is definitely back! We feel very much refreshed. But what excites me the most is the fact that we’ve already started jamming out NEW song. Crazy, ain’t it? I’m super-stoked. It sounds so fuckin’ sinister, I can’t even describe it… Fast, furious, but more evil in a way. Stay tuned, more info will follow!”
Video footage from a June 2011 BEHEMOTH rehearsal session can be seen below.

In a recent interview with Metal Sucks, Nergal stated about BEHEMOTH’s upcoming touring activities, “The October shows [in Poland] are just to get warmed up. Then we might do some shows in Australia and Asia — that’s the plan. Then the priority for early 2012 is a European tour, then shortly after that, a U.S. tour. This is our top priority for the next year and we’re going to fucking do it!”

He added, “Just wait and see us on the stage. You’ll see. I’m not going to reveal anything about it, but we … It’s not gonna just be BEHEMOTH. It’s not like time stood still for us, like we were frozen in time and are just going to appear with the same entourage and in the same outfits. No. We’re going to come back, we want to remind people of our existence obviously, but we want to make a fucking impact, an impression. We want to show them that, hey, we are still fucking evolving. We’re not just hoping that you’ll come to see us because I was sick. Fuck that. I’ll be better soon and we’re going to deliver!”

Speaking to Revolver magazine in April, Nergal said, “We just decided to play some so-called comeback shows in Poland just to warm up and see how we feel, just to be onstage again together. And I really hope that it’s going to turn out great and that it’s going to cause other tours and stuff. We have plans until the summer of next year. We already have some cool offers. We’re talking to our agents. There’s some really, really cool ideas. I don’t want to reveal anything yet, but once we’re done with October shows, and we feel good about it, and there’s chemistry onstage, we definitely want to continue the ‘Evangelion’ touring cycle. There’s still some markets we didn’t even touch. We’ve done over 100 shows so far to ‘Evangelion’. We’re going to do another 100 at least, and then we can focus on the next record.

“To be honest, we can’t wait to hit the stage again. I’m so fucking anxious. I’m so excited, so psyched about it. I have dreams about coming back onstage. I dream about BEHEMOTH shows. It’s insane, I know, but I can’t tell you how much it’s a relief to the band and how much it means to us.”

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

Nergal, who underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure in December, said, “Sooo, first rehearsals after the transplant are under our belts! I didn’t want to get overexcited at first, just wanted to see how things would go, but I have to tell you… the second rehearsal we fuckin’ nailed ‘Ov Fire And The Void’, ‘Lucifer’, ‘Conquer All’ and ‘Antichristian Phenomenon’ flawlessly! One of us even asked, ‘Did we really take a year off from each other?’ Ha ha… it was good times in great company! But the biggest surprise were the songs we NEVER played live ever and planning to do on the upcoming ‘Phoenix Rising Tour’. I won’t reveal any names yet, let it be a mystery ’till we hit the stage, all right?” He added, “In other news, I started jamming out some NEW shit too… [It's] too early to give any further comments, but it sounds VERY disturbing and eerie. Can’t fuckin wait to unleash those ideas to my friends…”

Check out photos from the rehearsal sessions below.

In a recent interview with Metal Sucks, Nergal stated about BEHEMOTH’s upcoming touring activities, “The October shows [in Poland] are just to get warmed up. Then we might do some shows in Australia and Asia — that’s the plan. Then the priority for early 2012 is a European tour, then shortly after that, a U.S. tour. This is our top priority for the next year and we’re going to fucking do it!”

He added, “Just wait and see us on the stage. You’ll see. I’m not going to reveal anything about it, but we … It’s not gonna just be BEHEMOTH. It’s not like time stood still for us, like we were frozen in time and are just going to appear with the same entourage and in the same outfits. No. We’re going to come back, we want to remind people of our existence obviously, but we want to make a fucking impact, an impression. We want to show them that, hey, we are still fucking evolving. We’re not just hoping that you’ll come to see us because I was sick. Fuck that. I’ll be better soon and we’re going to deliver!”

Speaking to Revolver magazine in April, Nergal said, “We just decided to play some so-called comeback shows in Poland just to warm up and see how we feel, just to be onstage again together. And I really hope that it’s going to turn out great and that it’s going to cause other tours and stuff. We have plans until the summer of next year. We already have some cool offers. We’re talking to our agents. There’s some really, really cool ideas. I don’t want to reveal anything yet, but once we’re done with October shows, and we feel good about it, and there’s chemistry onstage, we definitely want to continue the ‘Evangelion’ touring cycle. There’s still some markets we didn’t even touch. We’ve done over 100 shows so far to ‘Evangelion’. We’re going to do another 100 at least, and then we can focus on the next record.

“To be honest, we can’t wait to hit the stage again. I’m so fucking anxious. I’m so excited, so psyched about it. I have dreams about coming back onstage. I dream about BEHEMOTH shows. It’s insane, I know, but I can’t tell you how much it’s a relief to the band and how much it means to us.”

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

A three-and-a-half-minute video interview with Nergal conducted by SoundShock.com at last night’s event can be viewed below.

BEHEMOTH will return to the live stage in October — marking the band’s first public appearances since Nergal was diagnosed with leukemia last August.

In a recent interview with Metal Sucks, Nergal stated about BEHEMOTH’s upcoming touring activities, “The October shows are just to get warmed up. Then we might do some shows in Australia and Asia — that’s the plan. Then the priority for early 2012 is a European tour, then shortly after that, a U.S. tour. This is our top priority for the next year and we’re going to fucking do it!”

He added, “Just wait and see us on the stage. You’ll see. I’m not going to reveal anything about it, but we … It’s not gonna just be BEHEMOTH. It’s not like time stood still for us, like we were frozen in time and are just going to appear with the same entourage and in the same outfits. No. We’re going to come back, we want to remind people of our existence obviously, but we want to make a fucking impact, an impression. We want to show them that, hey, we are still fucking evolving. We’re not just hoping that you’ll come to see us because I was sick. Fuck that. I’ll be better soon and we’re going to deliver!”

Speaking to Revolver magazine in April, Nergal said, “We just decided to play some so-called comeback shows in Poland just to warm up and see how we feel, just to be onstage again together. And I really hope that it’s going to turn out great and that it’s going to cause other tours and stuff. We have plans until the summer of next year. We already have some cool offers. We’re talking to our agents. There’s some really, really cool ideas. I don’t want to reveal anything yet, but once we’re done with October shows, and we feel good about it, and there’s chemistry onstage, we definitely want to continue the ‘Evangelion’ touring cycle. There’s still some markets we didn’t even touch. We’ve done over 100 shows so far to ‘Evangelion’. We’re going to do another 100 at least, and then we can focus on the next record.

“To be honest, we can’t wait to hit the stage again. I’m so fucking anxious. I’m so excited, so psyched about it. I have dreams about coming back onstage. I dream about BEHEMOTH shows. It’s insane, I know, but I can’t tell you how much it’s a relief to the band and how much it means to us.”

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

Nergal’s fiancée Doda (also known as the 26-year-old Polish pop singer Dorota Rabczewska) told reporters: “Adam feels good and is resting comfortably but cannot see any visitors as he can’t risk viral infections.”

In a recent online posting, Nergal stated that the search for a suitable bone marrow donor “would have been difficult to achieve if it wasn’t for the support of so many people . . . The concerts for charity have been organized all over the world and people of show business, bands and, most of all, the fans got deeply involved. You are beyond great! One of you made my transplant possible, but remember, your attitude may save many others in need.”

Every year, more than 10,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma, and a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated person is their best or only hope for survival. There is no data available on how many people die waiting for a match, but only four out of 10 patients receive the needed transplant.

BEHEMOTH’s “Evangelia Heretika” DVD was released in the U.S. on November 9 via Metal Blade Records, in Poland via Mystic Records, and in the rest of Europe through Nuclear Blast. It contains three discs featuring two full shows (“Live In Paris 2008″ and “Live In Warsaw 2009″); every BEHEMOTH music video ever made; “Evangelion” tour documentary featuring band interviews plus tons of backstage footage; and a bonus “Live in Warsaw” audio CD.

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

Interview by: Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.
Video editing by: Archon.

Darski made headlines in his native country in September 2007 when he reportedly called the Catholic Church “the most murderous cult on the planet” during a BEHEMOTH performance in Gdynia and tore up a copy of the Bible onstage (see video here).

After the incident, Ryszard Nowak, head of the All-Polish Committee for Defense Against Sects sued BEHEMOTH for promoting Satanism. Although a court expert witness on religious matters said that the act of destroying the Holy Bible could offend somebody’s religious feelings (a criminal offense under Polish law), the case was discontinued because no one except Nowak accused BEHEMOTH of insulting their religious beliefs. (Under Polish law, there must be at least two formal complaints before a charge is laid. The previous complaint was made in 2008, and recently an unspecified number of other complaints had been filed.)

Nergal is pleading not guilty to the charge.

According to Metal As Fuck, in the first hearing, under cross examination, Darski stated what he does on stage is part of artistic license and it wasn’t supposed to offend religious feelings. However, an expert on religious history and studies from Jagellonian University in Krakow stated that every copy of a bible could be considered a religious icon.

There was no judgment ruled against Darski in the first hearing, but now that a second complaint has been filed, the matter will be heard by the courts.

If found guilty, Darski faces up to 2 years in prison.

In a 2009 interview with Decibel magazine, BEHEMOTH bassist Tomasz “Orion” Wróblewski explained that the Bible-tearing incident was by no means a spontaneous outburst. “We’d been doing that for two years on tour before it happened in Poland,” he said. “So, we had discussed it many times before. A BEHEMOTH show is a BEHEMOTH show, and BEHEMOTH fans are coming to a BEHEMOTH show. BEHEMOTH fans know what BEHEMOTH is about, know what the lyrics are about, and know at least a little of the philosophy behind the band. So, it’s kind of surprising that there are people coming to the shows and feeling offended with what we do onstage. If such a person comes to a show, he comes with the purpose of being offended, I guess, and it shouldn’t be like that. We’re not offending any particular person. We’re just offending the religion that we’ve been raised in.”

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

It was one of these nights, where in the end you leave the place with a big smile on your face, having the belief that your money were worth the spending and the wait you had to see such a concert. What brings me more joy is that apart Behemoth, all fans witnessed two great Greek bands kicking serious ass and proving that the scene in our country is raising its level as years pass by.

The direct playing and straight to your face deliverance of the goods they offer, makes us hope about a better future in the raising of metal music in a country that always used to kill its own children in many ways.

First to enter the stage were brutal technical deathsters Terrordrome, natives of Thessaloniki, having the best drummer of Greece in their group, not luckily called Octopus. Together with their steady and talented bass player, they were the driving force of this bestial machinery. Their guitar player produces massive insane riffs that lead to groups like Dying Fetus and Origin easily. His hand goes up and down so fast, that you sometimes distract yourself from the outstanding growler they have. His vocals are even more brutal than in the album. The played two new songs which will be released as a 7” and the first sample of what follows is phenomenal. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Mass Infection are also an experienced band, having their new second album ready in a fresh situation, released some months ago, it got the band a step higher than their debut. However, their live appearances are not affected at all, regardless the material. And this is proved on songs like the title track of the debut album ”Atonement For Iniquity”. Their sound was much better than Terrordrome and their music got better through the audience. Eight frenzied songs and the band in tremendous shape. What a perfecto combination of Vader and Malevolent Creation in terms… The future is bright for both bands. They know what they want and how to get it. Well done to both of you!

Then everything got darker and the Polish assault of Behemoth began with their newest hit ”Ov Fire And The Void”, at first the crowd got frozen just before outbursting into screams of ecstasy and redemption. Next was the title track from the very well achieved ”Demigod” album, but this seemed to be just the warm-up for what was to follow. The affinity of Nergal on ”Shemhamforash” was something that few people have the opportunity to see live, and as he was totally out of control, with no hesitation goes on to play ”Conquer All” and Eightball is definitely conquered, as 400 people can’t believe their eyes and ears.

Alongside Nergal exists a well built force, with Seth on his right supporting with his riffs the leader of the band, and the ready for battle rhythm section of catastrophic drummer Inferno (so comfortable playing, not even a drop of sweat) and the colossal bass player Orion who really was the best presence on the scene, hard as a rock and banging his head together with Seth in the same relentless rhythm. With such friends and allies, who gives a fuck about enemies and contradictors? The set included the great surprise called ”LAM” from ”Satanica”, a track that still proves its worth through the test of time.

Behemoth continues without mercy on favorite tunes such as ”As Above, So Below” from ”Zos Kia Cultus”, shortly to be followed by one of the most brutal tracks in music history, ”Slaves Shall Serve”, where everybody is freaking out, mumbling hard to understand words and heads go up, down, left, right, sideways and backwards. All directions that is. That doesn’t mean that things ease, and ”At The Left Hand Ov God” completes the unholy trinity of these blasphemous heretics.

A short drum solo by Inferno follows as an intro to ”Alas, The Lord Is Upon Me” from the latest ”Evangelion” album, for which Nergal told us who proud he is.

Then the other surprise that followed was ”Antichristian Phenomenon”, a track I didn’t expect them to play and was surely welcome. Next was the moment all Greeks were waiting for. ”I want you malakas sing your guts out on this because you all know it: APO PANTOS KAKODEMONOS!” is the chant of Nergal and ”Decade Of Therion” tears up the air and heads explode leaving victims on the ground.

But this is not the end because ”Chant For Eschaton” is presented and it whistles through the hall a grim and rolling riff that was the end of the normal set. Until it was time for them to return under the demand of the fans.

Last but not least was the final track from ”Evangelion” called ”Lucifer”, a triumphant ending to a glorious live experience, with Nergal wearing his custom made mask looking like a minion in The Fallen One’s army, convincing in his every word and closing the song like a ceremony, where in the end they drifted away slowly like nothing happened the previous 70 minutes.

All in all, the band is in its best shape ever, with a great album as a package for which they do everything to promote. And you can tell what they do is pure brutality, they don’t pose, they don’t need to overreact. They just blast everything they can. Quality is the hidden truth here and if you want to do a favor to yourselves, don’t miss them live for the world.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

Polish extreme metal veterans BEHEMOTH have been nominated in five categories at this year’s Fryderyk Awards, music awards presented in over 20 pop, classical and jazz categories.

BEHEMOTH is up for the following awards:

* Production Of The Year
* Best Album Artwork
* Album Of The Year (Heavy Metal)
* Band Of The Year
* Video Of The Year (“Ov Fire And The Void”)

Full “Album Of The Year (Heavy Metal)” nominees are as follows:

* AMETRIA – Nowy dzien
* BEHEMOTH – Evangelion
* HUNTER – Hellwood
* TURBO – Straznik swiatla
* VADER – Necropolis

The awards ceremony will take place on April 19 in Warsaw, Poland.

The Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry (ZPAV), comprised of nearly 800 performing artists, record industry professionals, and music journalists, acts as the jury for the Fryderyk Awards. It was founded in December 1999 at the initiative of ZPAV members to honor artists nominated to the Fryderyk Awards.

In an interview with Metal As Fuck, BEHEMOTH guitarist/vocalist Adam “Nergal” Darski talked about the fact that he recently won the Gdansk Young Culture Creators award, which recognizes young people for their contribution to a country’s culture — a far cry from the allegations that keep following BEHEMOTH.

“It’s funny — it’s a big contradiction,” he said. “On one hand there’s all these accusations of us being Public Enemy Number 1, we should be prison, we should be stabbed and burned. And then on the other hand we are winning everything on the way. It’s crazy and awesome at the same time. On one hand, we are doing something very artistic and it’s always recognized and respected by a renowned group of people — the BEHEMOTH fans. And now it seems like the big people in the mainstream media recognize that there is a band that does something for this country and it’s good and quality — and it’s art, and it’s recognized in the world. And that’s a good feeling; it’s something that is, in a way, humorous.

“In one of the biggest polish magazines, The Activist, we picked up the award for the best band, and we picked up awards with all these big pop artists. It’s awesome, it’s good.”

In a summer 2009 interview with Decibel magazine, Darski and BEHEMOTH bassist Orion (real name: Tomasz Wróblewski) both admitted that they have given serious consideration to moving away from Poland. “The more places we see, the less connected we feel with the place we live in,” Wróblewski said. “All of them seem more attractive than Poland. But you get used to a place where you live, and it’s kind of hard to move. But it’s possible, yes.”

“I’m always thinking about it,” Darski admitted. “I was just in New York for a few days, and I was thinking about it then. I mean, I’m rooted here, right? I’ve got my family here; I’ve got a nice apartment; I’ve got a few friends. And I was born here. But I would have no problems to live my life a few months in Poland and maybe a few months somewhere else. If one day I fall in love in Portugal or Brazil, I’m not gonna think twice. I’ll buy an apartment in one of those countries and just move there and try to live a normal life.”

Darski continued, “I can’t understand why people come to Poland and say, ‘Oh, this country is so nice and the people are so cool.’ I tell them, ‘No — these people are not cool. It’s just a façade. They just pretend. Deep in their hearts, they are evil human beings.’ You see, people in this country are very backward-thinking and very conservative. People who don’t grow up here don’t know the reality, and they will never find out.”

Source: www.blabbermouth.net