BEHEMOTH frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski, long known for his outspoken anti-Christian stance and provocative imagery, has revealed that he does, in fact, celebrate Christmas — and without hesitation.
In a new interview with the Everblack podcast, the Polish extreme metal icon was asked whether Christmas has any place in his life, given his public rejection of organized religion. Nergal, who was raised Catholic but later became one of metal’s most vocal critics of Christianity, answered bluntly (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “Absolutely.”
“In the first place, the fact that Christians stole those celebrations from Pagans — [they] just put a different emblem, different sticker on it, and just adjusted some elements — it’s [not] gonna stop me from enjoying the fact that I can just chill and do nothing and relax with my family, because that’s what Xmas is really all about. You know what I mean? It’s about the family time and there’s nothing wrong about it, and it has no religious associations whatsoever,” he continued. “It’s a time when everyone takes time off and everyone needs tranquility and peace and relaxes and breathes. And, to me, it doesn’t really associate with Catholic tradition. Of course, Catholics made it all Santa Claus and all that bulls**t — that is pretty much commerce; it’s all commercial, [and] I don’t give a f**k — but the fact that towards the end of the year, you’re just slowing down, you’re taking your time, you don’t need to rush. And the weather here [in Poland] — sometimes we get snow, but it’s doom and gloom here.”
“I’m not a depressive kind, but — I don’t know — this period of the year can be very joyful, even though it’s not sunny and it’s not full of energy whatsoever,” Nergal added. “No, I get that when the time comes. Of course I was raised here in Poland, so I’m no stranger to seasons. We have four seasons — not really four seasons anymore. It used to be four seasons. Now I’d say it’s two or three seasons, because of all the climate changes. But let’s call it cycles. We do have those cycles. And I still enjoy the cycles, and that is a great part of the year. It’s very relaxing and it’s cool, and I’m happy not to be traveling. And I live far from my mom because my father died three years ago. So it’s just my mom that’s left. So she lives in another city, a four-hour drive from me. So I’m bringing her to my place. And we’re gonna spend two or three days together, I guess. More is not bearable for either one [of us]. But blood is thicker than water, as they say. So you can’t deny it; it’s there. Even though those family members probably are the ones that it’s the easiest for them to f**king trigger you and piss you off. But everyone has his own skeletons, so f**k it. I’m cool. There’s a space and time for reflection now. I can go through things, I can go and read my book. And there’s hours and hours that pass and I’m, like, f**king not really doing anything. And for some reason it’s very inspiring and it’s very soothing. So, yeah, I like it.”
In October 2026, BEHEMOTH will join forces with DIMMU BORGIR for the “In League With Satan” co-headline tour, storming across Europe and the UK. As special guests, the Swedish black metal icons DARK FUNERAL will add even more ferocity to an already devastating lineup.
The “In League With Satan” tour promises to be one of the most anticipated extreme metal events of the decade.
Confirmed tour dates
09 Oct 2026 – Zurich, Switzerland – Halle 622
10 Oct 2026 – Zwickau, Germany – Sparkassen-Arena Zwickau
11 Oct 2026 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal
13 Oct 2026 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
14 Oct 2026 – Munich, Germany – Zenith
16 Oct 2026 – Paris, France – Zenith
18 Oct 2026 – Den Bosch, Netherlands – Mainstage
20 Oct 2026 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium
22 Oct 2026 – Hamburg, Germany – Inselpark Arena
23 Oct 2026 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
24 Oct 2026 – Brno, Czech Republic – Hala Vodova
27 Oct 2026 – Helsinki, Finland – Ice Hall
29 Oct 2026 – Stockholm, Sweden – B-K
30 Oct 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark – K.B. Hallen
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.