interview by: Kristina White

If you know anything at all about death metal, you know about Behemoth. One of the more prolific bands as far as putting out albums and touring, they're well-known and well-liked all over the world. Their newest album, Demigod, is their best selling album to date and the year long tour they've been on during its release internationally has had them circling the globe. Having the opportunity to not only see Polish death metal GODS Behemoth but to have a chat with frontman Nergal was like an absolute metal dream come true. He's quite fun to talk to and very forthcoming. Even with his very busy schedule, I found him sitting at the bar with his laptop open, answering emails and checking the forums on Behemoth's website. “Have to check on the fans, we've been on tour a while, don't want them to miss us too much,” he said with a wink. This is typical of one of the hardest working men in metal, to take time to meet and greet fans, whether it be online or in person. Here's what he had to say:

Maelstrom: You started your band when you were 14?

Nergal: Yes.

Maelstrom: Were the other members the same age as you?

Nergal: Yes, more or less.

Maelstrom: What happened to them?

Nergal: They just left, you know, it's life.

Maelstrom: Are they still in music?

Nergal: Ahh..some are, some are not. Actually the guy I formed the band with, he lives in Boston, he's at Harvard University there. Whenever we are in the area, he comes by and we have drinks. He's a huge fan of the band, always stands in the first row going crazy.

Maelstrom: Does he look like a Harvard man now or does he still look like a “metal guy”?

Nergal: Oh, he's a metal guy, he doesn’t really LOOK like a metal guy, but he's a metal guy. Well, he looks like an American metal guy.

Maelstrom: (laughs) Is there a difference?

Nergal: (laughs and nods head) Yes, yes, there is a difference.

Maelstrom: Which leads me to another question I wanted to ask. What's the difference between the Polish scene and the American scene?

Nergal: Well, the Polish scene is more like a European scene. It's more unified, you know? When you go to a show and see the fans its like one army. They all look like equal, long hair, you know..leather jackets, like an army. In the US, people look more freaked out, you know? (laughs) All different. Each person looks like they come from like, a different planet or something. It's very cool though, it gives you more variety, doesn't get boring.

Maelstrom: Do you get more show participation in Europe or in the US?

Nergal: You can't say, because in Europe you get places that rock and places that suck. I have to say though, the US is killer all the way. There are some places that are kind of mellow, you know, but of course you will find that ANYWHERE. There's good and bad people pretty much everywhere.

Maelstrom: So, did you have a different type of crowd when you played black metal?

Nergal: We didn't play then.

Maelstrom: You didn’t do live shows?

Nergal: No, we were too young, it was more like, you know, evil. You play in a garage and pretend you are evil. Not ready to go out and tour and work your ass off. We had to grow up and get more mature about things. We started to improve the band and to make things going finally. And then you realize how much work it is to be on the road, and you have to work very hard physically. You realize this is the real life, the real band. It's what the band should be about, going out there and starving, and not getting paid and playing for shitty crowds. (laughs) So that's what it starts from, you know, if you can go and you're fine staying with the band, you can get to the NEXT level.

Maelstrom: So, is this a job for you?

Nergal: Yes, it's a job, it's always been a job. I never really had a regular job, you know, because I graduated university. At university, I put out the records, because I never really cared about money, because my parents kind of... “endorsed” me. (laughs) And I was doing my band as a hobby, on the side, and I was trying to protect it. Because, in Poland it's like an unwritten law, you know, when you're starting, your parents, they want to support you financially. So, I was supported by my parents. Then once I graduated, I realized that things are going that good, that I can pretty much do it on my own, and still at the moment, its just slowly getting better and better. So yes, it's my job. I want to keep it as my job. We want to go bigger and bigger of course, get more money, so we can do better things, of course. It's the wish of every band, even though they don't say that.

Maelstrom: They want to stay “true.”

Nergal: They lie! They lie!! Every musician wants to make money off of playing, of course, it's just a matter if you want to confuse people or not. But of course I want to make money on what I love.

Maelstrom: I think that most bands that say that, it's because they don't want the fans to say “Oh, they sold out.”

Nergal: Yeah, but intelligent fans understand that ideally you can't play music, and be on tour for one year and then not having anything to eat, you know what I mean? So all the intelligent fans know that they have to fucking buy merch to support the bands. And it's cool that people actually know it. And I see it all the time here in the US, you know, fans say, “I want to buy your merch, I want to support you guys.”

Maelstrom: Which leads me to my next question, music on the internet. What are your thoughts on that?

Nergal: I have no problems with that, you know. What I think, is good music and its nicely packaged, it will always sell. The only thing that annoys me is music... when the albums are... are... spreading... umm

Maelstrom: When you can get albums before they're released?

Nergal: Yes, yes, that sucks, because I kind of like the mystery, you know what I mean? When I was a kid and I was waiting for the premiere dates of my favorite bands, it was like, waiting, it was like... thrilling, you know what I mean? Everything here (taps his laptop) it's all instant, there's no magic, you know? But besides that, I don't give a fuck, because I know people will always buy our albums. Why? Because there is great production, there is great song writing, there's like 200% dedication from our side, there's like the stuff in it...

Maelstrom: Lyrics, pictures..

Nergal: Yeah, yeah..of course there are people who don't give a fuck. I mean, I don't give a fuck about them, you know. It always works both ways, you know what I mean? If fans saw Behemoth selling like, false product, then I couldn't expect them to buy our albums. But once we pay so much money for graphics, you know, so much money and time on production stuff, people will always appreciate it, you can't fool them. Metal is very dramatic. The BIG bands, they have problems.

Maelstrom: (laughs) Umm, Metallica?

Nergal: Well, Metallica, you know, they have their rights. I totally support internet, but it's still a ripoff, some sort of ripoff. But like I said, if people say, “I don't have money, so I download your albums,” I'm totally fine with that. DO IT!

Maelstrom: Ok, I admit it, I've downloaded ALL your albums, but then I did go out and buy them. Kind of like try BEFORE you buy.

Nergal: Yes, yes, exactly. That's what I do, too. I just downloaded Judas Priest and Black Label Society, and I just can't wait till the premiere date, because I am going to go in the store and buy it myself, you know what I mean?

Maelstrom: I heard that you're a big Judas Priest fan.

Nergal: Ahh..yeah, I, hmm...

Maelstrom: And Danzig.

Nergal: OH, oh yeah, I just talked to Glen last night, we met in Canada. I always buy it anyway. I go to the shows, I buy shirts and stuff, you know, and I feel so good about buying it because I know where this money goes.

Maelstrom: You know, if you just asked those bands, they'd probably just GIVE you a shirt (laughs).

Nergal: But, it's something I never ask. We have the supporting bands on this tour, and I remember sneaking around, going, ok, there's no band members around, and I go to the merch table and buy their shirts, because I know they won't allow... they won't permit me to buy it. But I want to give them a few bucks. I mean maybe because of these few bucks they can make it to another show, you know? Because I know how little they get paid. (laughs)

Maelstrom: Ok so the new album, Demigod, is this the one you're most proud of so far?

Nergal: Of course! (laughs)

Maelstrom: Well, I'd read interviews, and you'd said how much work went into it, and that you're really 100% behind it. I think it's definitely going to be bigger and more popular.

Nergal: It already is. This album is selling like hell. That's another thing I want to say about downloading. I mean anybody can do it now, so why people buy more of our albums than ever?

Maelstrom: Well, it's a good tool, it gets the music out there, so people hear it and get to know it. If they hear it, and they like it, they're going to go buy it.

Nergal: That's what I mean, that's what I mean. So I really have no worries about it. People will buy our albums because they're good. I mean if they suck and we don't sell any albums anymore, I will be surprised, you know (laughs). People feel our dedication, it's obvious. Yes, Demigod is the best album we have done so far.

Maelstrom: I was surprised at the vocals, with the whole layering thing.

Nergal: Yes, yes people say I used effects, there are no effects there.

Maelstrom: That's what I thought at first, too.

Nergal: I just wanted, you know, to keep it maxed. I wanted the vocals to attack you here (taps forehead)

Maelstrom: Oh, yes, they do.

Nergal: Right in the fucking face. All the bands are like, want to keep it natural. I'm like, c'mon, you know, I'm in a studio, I want to make fucking magic.

Maelstrom: Some of the fans don't mind unnatural. I like pitch shifted vocals and I even like drum machines.

Nergal: Well, we don't need drum machines. You'll see tonight, he's even faster live than on the albums. (laughs)

Maelstrom: All this time I've been a fan and I've never gotten to see you live, so I'm very excited.

Nergal: Well, you know, it's the end of the tour, I admit, we're a little tired. You will be satisfied I hope.

Maelstrom: We'll see, we'll see. (laughs)

Nergal: I will do my very best for you.

Maelstrom: Don't make any promises. (laughs) Ok, just one last question, I've always wondered, I know the name Nergal is a Mesopotamian demonic name of some sort, but your real name? I'd heard somewhere. It's Adam? Is it?

Nergal: Yes, yes.

Maelstrom: I actually had something to say to you in Polish, but umm, I can't pronounce it.

Nergal: (laughs very loudly)

Maelstrom: Ok, I'm sure you have to go get ready for the show, thanks so much for your time, I'm sure you guys will be great tonight.

Nergal: Weeeeeeeeell... I certainly hope it. Thank you very much for the talk, it was fun.