Happy Sunday - Behemoth: Lucifer

In case you missed my previous posts about them, the Polish Black/Death Metal band Behemoth, is pretty much one of my most favorite things EVER. And since today is Sunday and I can't help but feel the need to post something evil and blasphemic on Sundays, I give you "Lucifer"! They lyrics are all in Polish this time around -Yes, that is the only reason you can't understand them- so here's the translation. You can also view the uncensored version of the video, HERE.

Enjoy.

-CAINE-

Behemoth Frontman Cleared of Blasphemy Charges

Behemoth frontman Nergal was found not-guilty of offending religious feeling by a judge in Poland, again. The charges, in case you forgot, stem from a 2007 performance by the band in Gydnia, in which he referred to the bible as a, "deceitful book", religion as a "criminal sect", and the catholic church as, "the most murderous cult on the planet", before destroying a bible on stage. Nergal was actually cleared of the same charges once before, last year, But prosecutors appealed the ruling.

Late last month, a Polish judge once again found him to be innocent, ruling that his ripping up of a bible during a show was a form of artistic expression consistent with the style of his band. Nergal made the following comments following the ruling:

"I'm so glad to see that intelligence won over religious fanatics in my home country. Though there's still so much work to be done to make things right… But I'm sure that I'm on the right path to ultimate freedom! The battle is won, but the war ain't over."

Amen. (irony intended)

-CAINE-

Source: Metal Injection

Posted by Youtube user: Behemothofficial

Behemoth Frontman Facing Blasphemy Charges in Poland

I first wrote here about Adam Darski, AKA "Nergal", frontman and guitarist for my favorite band Behemoth, about a year ago. At the time, he had just released a statement refuting claims by the religious that he had found god as a result of his leukemia diagnosis; for which he was then awaiting a bone marrow transplant. I also mentioned that earlier that same year blasphemy charges brought against him in Gdynia, Poland, had recently been dismissed. While there's since been plenty of good news where Adam's cancer is concerned, it would unfortunately appear that I was wrong about those blasphemy charges.

The good news is that after a years worth of treatment and recovery, undergoing chemo therapy and a bone marrow transplant Nergal ( sorry, I just can't call him Adam again) , has made a near complete recovery and is reported to be doing well. Just last month the group released some new rehearsal footage on their Youtube channel with Nergal back on the guitar, and though still understandably looking a bit thin, he otherwise appears to be in good shape and says that the band plans to start playing shows again in Poland in October before moving on to other parts of the world. All of which, makes me very happy to say.

The bad news of course, is now that his battle with leukemia is thankfully nearly over, he still has to face the polish legal system for charges of having committed an "offense against religious feelings" (sec. 196 of polish Criminal Code). The charges themselves stem from a performance by the band 14 years ago in Gydnia, in which he (quite fairly in my opinion) referred to the catholic church as, "the most murderous cult on the planet", before destroying a bible on stage. If found guilty of the clearly unforgivable crime of having hurt NAMBLA's, I mean, the catholic church's feelings, he could potentially face up to two years in prison for his "crime". Nergal himself briefly commented on his most recent court appearance last month saying;

"I spent 5 hours In the court in Gdynia today, the case is back on track and there's still [a] few witnesses to be interviewed. It's way too early to give any further comment. I just hope the final verdict is gonna be positive for me. I have a feeling that I'm in this situation for right reasons and I'm not giving up. Cross fingers! The battle ain't over yet..."

As for the actions which earned him the charges in the first place, as today's video from a 2008 show in Tilburg, as well as a variety of other examples on Youtube clearly illustrate; Nergal obviously regrets what he's done in the past, and promises he'll never do it again. No really, swear to god.

Best of luck Nergal.

-CAINE-

Source: noisecreep.com

A little Sunday Blasphemy, Behemoth: Alas the Lord is Upon me

Death Metal, Blasphemy,a Polish Pop-star, and Leukemia

At a glance the union of a man in face paint and a breast plate, fronting a blasphemous Death Metal band, and a blond pop-star described by some as a "polish Britney spears", might seem odd, and not just because the last time I checked no one ever accused Britney of having an IQ over 140.

But polish pop-star "Doda", Behemoth front man Nergal's fiance, made headlines herself in Poland earlier this year after publically saying of the bible, "It is hard to believe in something written by people who drank too much wine and smoked herbal cigarettes." a comment for which she could potentially face two years in prison under Poland's blasphemy laws.

Nergal himself faced the same charges in March of this year after tearing up a bible on stage during a show, which PZ Myers blogged about BTW, I knew I liked that guy!

All of this came to my attention, except the bit about the bible, right after I discovered much to my dismay, that Nergal had been diagnosed with leukemia and was awaiting a bone marrow transplant for treatment. Since Behemoth is not what you would call a mainstream act there isn't a lot of information about his conditional available but, the overwhelming response from fans and the inevitable claim of religious critics that his illness has or will lead to his conversion to chrstianity, have prompted Nergal to release a statement on the bands page which I wanted post in part here.

"Finally, I want to comment on some opinions which, provoked by religious circles, lead to far-fetched and inaccurate interpretations. I was surprised to hear my illness became a pretext for some people to embark on their own crusade. Opinions suggesting I might come closer to God or abandon my ideals and grovel to the only correct world view in this country not only surprised but also frightened me. This is a typical example of supporting one's own views by preying on someone's misfortune. 'He fell ill so he will convert to Christianity, he will discover the religion he fought against is actually close to him.' Halt! Why should the illness change my point of view? It is true this is a difficult time for me and the thoughts of ultimate matters are hard to chase away. But the idea that I will change my opinions, priorities, and values as a consequence of my illness sounds as if someone regards my head, and not my body, ill. Suggesting I might convert are ridiculous. To what would I convert? After all, I know Christian mythology pretty well, not only in its literary version, and I find nothing good, creative or beautiful in it. I read books better and wiser than the Bible. War, blood, blackmail, rapes, incest, pedophilia, zoophilia, collaboration and treachery – each page emanates with evil. Some may say I don't understand the message of the Bible. I'd rather say the Christianity is nothing more than a rusty and archaic structure that is going to fall down any moment. It lasts only because of the gullible that follow the shepherd blindly; without any questions, without any consideration, not to any promised land, but to an intellectual slaughter. So, I say to those, who see some chances to break my rules, and myself because of the illness: over my dead body!"

what ever you may think of his music or his persona, I've seen few people in the world with the strength of character it takes to assert and maintain their personal beliefs and convictions in the face of their own mortality, and it's for that reason I wanted to share this portion of his statement here.

As for his condition, while he does not go into specific detail, he does acknowledge the long and difficult fight ahead him, which he asserts he has no intention of loosing. I sincerely hope he does manage to defy the odds and goes on to continue creating music and challenging religious authority and tradition for years to come. The world needs more angry atheists, not less.

If you'd like to learn about donating bone marrow go to: www.marrow.com, and you read the rest of Nergal's statementHERE on the band's web page.

-CAINE-

Behemoth's newest CD, "Evangelion" has quickly become one of my favorites. Below is the video of one of my favorite tracks from the CD, "Ov Fire and the Void". BUT, be forewarned, this is the uncensored version of the video and there is some brief nudity. So if you happen to have a nipple phobia, do not watch.

Behemoth "Ov Fire And The Void" from Metal Blade Records on Vimeo.