Although the band Behemoth has been around for almost twenty years, the band is still a fairly new band to the United States.  Upon the completion of their final tour of the United States this year with Danzig in support of Demigod, it is safe to say that they came, they destroyed, and they conquered. Nergal was able to take some time with me on our walk and chat in search of Starbucks.  Ironically, there was not a Starbucks open at 10pm in Seattle that night; however, I was still able to participate in amazing chat with one of metal’s most revered guitarists, Nergal.

Alexi Front: While on the Danzig/Doyle Tour [Blackest of Black Tour] you played in front of a diverse group of kids who liked mainly music that isn’t like Behemoth.  What was it like to play in front of those kinds of fans?

Nergal: It is a challenge, and that is why we were put on this bill in the first place.  When we were asked to join the tour, we were honored because I have always been a huge Danzig fan.  I just wanted to be a part of this bill regardless, but then I was like fuck yeah, it is good we are the only blast band on the bill, and with all the scary, crazy, fuckin’ war imagery, all that attitude.  It was interesting to challenge ourselves.  It is what we did and it is working.

Alexi: Because you have done so many tours in the US these last few years, you have been able to break in the crowd.

Nergal: Yeah, we had this experience where we had an off-date were  it was just us and The Black Dahlia Murder, and it was just a college town and all college age kids came.  And we thought, “Fuck, who are we playing for?”  But then from the first hit, we knew it was going to be an excellent show!  And the kids totally loved it!  They were screaming louder than the music!  So, I think it is all about energy and how we are projecting our vision, and how confident we are on stage.  This is what we are selling to people, and so long as we are honest to ourselves, I don’t care what size crowd we play in front of to be honest.

Alexi: You have done shows in South America recently and also done tons of traveling.  How has the bonding experience been for you and the rest of the band?

Nergal: We are like family you know?  The coolest thing is to know how exactly you should deal with them and not just stand in the way of each other.  Sometimes people have bad days and things go up and down, but you learn how to deal with it.  Let me tell you, we have spent months together non-stop, and well there have been some problems occasionally, but after everything it is all good!  No problems, no big deals!

Alexi: How was touring in South America?

Nergal: It was crazy man!  I love South America for many reasons!  Good food, women, crazy fans, and it is a new market to win!  That is why everything in South America and North America is so important to us, because they are new markets for us to win.  I feel like we need to push this hard also!

Alexi: Let’s talk a bit about Demigod.  During the preparation for the album, did you feel at all as though it would be the biggest Behemoth release?

Nergal: We always think and try to think that.  Let’s over do everything, let’s outdo ourselves, and fuckin’ challenge ourselves.  We want to challenge ourselves as much as possible!  Of course, that is the only way to go.  You can’t just lay back there and just release something and say, people will buy it anyway because it is Behemoth.  That would be so cheap you know [Laughter]  That would be such a shitty attitude!  We try to top ourselves each time.  That is the only way to go!  You can be? sure that with the next record – which I cannot tell you whether it will be better or worse.  It is all up to tastes, some people think our demo tapes are the best.  So, you never know but, we, ourselves, want to be sure and confident and happy, especially with the result.  So long as we are happy with it, I don’t really care.  If it is great and it sells, that is good.  If it is not great and it doesn’t sell, well then, fuck it, what can you do?

Alexi: What kind of research did you do before the writing of Demigod?  What kind of concepts are woven into the music and lyrics?

Nergal: Different concepts.  Demigod is a pretty complex record, so it is pretty difficult to give an explanation in one or two sentences.  You have to listen to it yourself and discover things on your own.  We are not giving answers.  What I believe in is that Behemoth is giving the keys to open the door.  We are not opening the doors for you, we are giving the keys for you to use.  The record is so confident, militant in the mental sense, it is conquering, fresh, and it has a spiritual approach.  I was like re-born during the process.  I was struggling through some crappy situations, but Demigod brought some new powers out.  So this is what the record is about.  Of course there are many layers and dimensions that you can deal with.  I can’t say the record is this or that because is a lot of different things.  It is also really individual. 

Alexi: Tell me about the artwork and what does the artwork represent?

Nergal: It has to be one thing, a package!  When you see the live show, you can link it to the album cover, the lyrics, the fuckin music, it is a package.  We have always tired to make it look like that.  The Demigod package suits the music perfect.  I love it, especially the colors.  It is so symbolic and striking, conquering, powerful! 

Alexi: How did you hook up with Karl Sanders for the solos?

Nergal: I just dropped him a line on e-mail.  He was like, “Fuck yeah, let’s do it!”  So in three days I had his solo on my computer!  I fuckin’ love the solo!  There are so many emotions in it!

Alexi: Is the production part of being bigger and conquering?

Nergal: In some ways the production is cleaner and more professional.  But it is the most insane sounding album out there!  It crosses many boundaries.  It is not safe production.  It is not like, let’s be safe and do it so kids can accept it.  No! Lets go fuckin’ crazy, the album hits you like a machine gun.  That was the idea, so with the new record it will not be slower.  We are just gonna move from where we are now to improve things a bit, quality wise.  We are gonna try new things, it is gonna be crazy, blasting, and fucking insane!

Alexi: Tell me a bit about the video for “Conquer All.”

Nergal: It was the first professional experience with a video.  We had fifteen people around us.  It was cool with the lights, analog equipment which was very unique and expensive.  It was high production.  The new video was made with the same people, but it is crazier.  I love videos because they really complete the vision.  If there is no video, something is missing in my opinion.  If you have a really kick ass video, you complete the vision, I feel.

Alexi: Now let’s talk a bit about death metal in Poland.  Something I have always been interested in is, Why Poland?

Nergal: [Laughter] I don’t know!  Maybe it is because of frustration, weather, or our heritage or history.  There are probably a million factors that have had an impact on the Polish metal scene and why it is so death metal.  I don’t know, maybe there is some history of extreme metal.  For example, there are hardly any power metal bands from Poland.  Which is great of course!  It is thrash, speed, black and death metal!  I cannot speak on behalf on all the bands.  It is totally awesome and I love it though!

Alexi: Now how strong is religion within everyone’s life in Poland?

Nergal: It is part of tradition: that is why people take it.  I don’t think people give it a deeper thought.  The just do it because it is mechanical.  They do it after their parents, grandparents, and such.  It has been a tradition in the country for a thousand years.  I don’t think it is really intelligent to take things and not question them or challenge them.  That is why we are against that stuff. 

Alexi: One thing I have thought about was that repression of Communist government made some of this happen.

Nergal: Yes, the church and Christianity was a weapon against Communistic system.  It was much stronger than it was in other Communistic countries.  Communism was repressive, but not that repressive.  The pope was also Polish, so there was some history, Christianity was a tool.  That is how I see Christianity, as a tool against Communism.  That is why some people think Christianity is so important, because it was against Communism.  But it is really not so important anymore.  It doesn’t play a role in people’s lives, it is just in people’s lives as a tradition.

Alexi: Tell me a bit about other forms of metal in Poland.

Nergal: All accept power metal are very strong.  Death metal is reigning though.

Alexi: Will death metal become tradition?

Nergal: It is tradition.  It is in the musical tradition.  It is not big in mainstream, but it is big in the underground.  I cannot see videos on MTV.

Alexi: What would you think 30 years from now if kids were saying that Nergal is their idol?

Nergal: I feel confused.  I am still a kid and I am learning.  I am only half way there.  I feel flattered.  I am confused.

Alexi: With Olympic down, what is going to happen with the labels.

Nergal: We are on Century Media for the next album.

Alexi: Are you happy with Century Media?

Nergal: Fuck yeah!  So far it is as smooth as possible.  They are pushing the band and it has been fruitful for us.  They are the best US label.

Alexi: How about Regain in Europe?

Nergal: They are good.  They still need to improve and there are things they need to work on some more.  We may stay on them or we may start with someone new. 

Alexi: When will the work on the new Behemoth album begin?

Nergal: In February after all the touring is done.  We need to take our time.

Alexi: Will it be a collaborative process?

Nergal: It is always like that.  I start an idea and the other guys pick it up.

Alexi: Have you thought to record the album outside of Poland.    

Nergal: We mixed Demigod in Sweden, so we are gonna mix the next record outside of Poland.  But for tracking we don’t need anything special.

Alexi: Where does your name Nergal come from?

Nergal: It comes from Babylonian mythology.  It is the name for the god of the underworld.  I had the name when I was thirteen or fourteen. [Laughter]  I just wanted to identify with it and the powerful meaning behind it.

Alexi Front (alexi@pivotalrage.com)

We'd like to thank Alexi for submitting this article, to the Century Media camp, and of course to the Chief Officer of Metal, Nergal.

Click here for another in-depth interview with Nergal