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Nergal (musician)

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Adam Darski
Darski performing at Rock am Ring 2017
Darski performing at Rock am Ring 2017
Background information
Birth nameAdam Michał Darski
Also known as
  • Nergal
  • Holocausto
  • Howlin' De Ville
Born (1977-06-10) 10 June 1977 (age 47)[1]
Gdynia, Poland
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1991–present
Member ofBehemoth

Adam Nergal Darski[2] (born Adam Michał Darski, 10 June 1977), often referred to by his stage name Nergal, is a Polish musician, best known as the frontman of the extreme metal band Behemoth.

Career

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Nergal performing at Hellfest 2010

Nergal was born Adam Michał Darski in Gdynia, raised Catholic, and started playing guitar at age eight.[3] He goes by the stage name Nergal (naming himself after a Babylonian deity), and he is the founder, lyricist, main composer, frontman and manager of the band Behemoth, which he started when he was still a teenager. He also plays lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar. For a brief time, he used the alias Holocausto,[4] inspired by Beherit leader Nuclear Holocausto.[5][verification needed] In the late 1990s, he was a vocalist and guitarist of the Danzig-influenced band, Wolverine,[6] which was showcasing Nergal's capability of clean singing. He is also known for his contributions with the following bands: Hermh, Nile, Damnation, Vader, Sweet Noise, Mastiphal, December's Fire, Mess Age, Corruption, Hangover, Ex Deo, and Hefeystos.

Inspired by Norway's Black Circle, Nergal formed together with Blasphemous (from the band Veles) and Venom (from Xantotol) the Temple of Infernal Fire. Later other bands joined and far-right politics were introduced, and the group renamed the Temple of Fullmoon. Nergal then distanced himself from the group, mainly because he had no interest in politics. This led to remaining members of the Temple of Fullmoon to accuse Behemoth of betrayal and caused tensions between Nergal and Rob Darken, frontman of the Polish NSBM band Graveland, leading to death threats. Several years later, the tensions are gone and Nergal and Darken are on good terms nowadays; as Nergal said in an interview: "We don't share the same interests but we share a mutual respect."[7]

Nergal has completed six years of history, including one year of Latin at University of Gdańsk, and is qualified to be a museum curator.[3]

In 2009, ESP guitars released the first Nergal's signature guitar. It is a 7-string guitar with a V-style body, which is called the "Hex-7".[8]

In March 2010, Nergal was held on trial in Poland on blasphemy charges for publicly denouncing religion by ripping up a Bible on stage in 2007. Nergal made the argument that he has artistic license to enhance his live performances by doing such an action, and suggested that it was not meant to be offensive. He also believes that freedom of speech should come before religion in Poland. He faced up to two years in prison due to the Bible-tearing,[9] but Darski's charges were dropped on 28 June 2010.[10]

In 2011, he assumed the position of a coach on the Polish TV show The Voice of Poland.[11]

In July 2012, Nergal became the newest spokesman for Demon Energy drinks that would be distributed throughout Poland. Nergal appeared in full Behemoth attire on the front of four different flavors of the Demon Energy brand alongside the brand's slogan of "No Limits, No Laws". Darski reportedly donated the majority of funds for this limited edition placement to one of the world's most renowned bone marrow donor centers.[12]

In October 2012, Nergal returned to the Polish Supreme Court regarding the 2007 incident where he tore up a bible and denounced the Catholic Church. The Supreme Court ruled that Darski could be guilty of the crime of "offending religious feelings" even though he did not act with the "direct intention" of doing so. The case was returned to a lower court which found him guilty of "intentionally insulting the Holy Bible" but the following appeal dismissed the case due to the statute of limitations.[13][14][failed verification]

Nergal started a solo project alongside John Porter called Me and that Man, which focuses on country, blues and folk. The project's debut album titled Songs of Love and Death was released on 24 March 2017. The project's follow-up album, New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 1 was released on 27 March 2020, and features guest vocals from Corey Taylor, Niklas Kvarforth, Matt Heafy, Ihsahn, and others.[15][16]

Personal life

[edit]

From mid-2009 through early 2011, he was in a highly publicized relationship with Dorota Rabczewska, a Polish pop singer professionally known as Doda.[17] On 17 March 2011, News.pl reported the couple had called off the engagement and broken up.[18]

In 2012, Darski legally changed his middle name to 'Nergal'.[2]

Since 2014, Nergal has been the co-owner of three barbershops in Poland—two in Warsaw and one in his hometown, Gdańsk.[19][20][21] In 2015, he opened a nightclub in Sopot named Libation.[22]

Health

[edit]
Maciej Maleńczuk and Nergal on the shooting set for the Behemoth video clip "Lucifer", 2011

On 8 August 2010, Nergal was rushed to the hematology ward of the Gdańsk Medical University Hospital for treatment of a then-undisclosed illness. All Behemoth shows through November 2010, including a Russian and North American tours, were cancelled.[23] On 24 August 2010, Darski was diagnosed with leukemia. The illness was thought to have advanced far enough to make chemotherapy ineffective, but such reports have since been proven false.[24] His then-fiancée Dorota Rabczewska-Stępień offered to donate her marrow, but her marrow didn't match.[25][26] On 8 November 2010, following his then-girlfriend's appeal to the wider public, which has been met with a great response, Darski underwent treatment to receive a bone marrow transplant.[27]

Nergal was discharged from the Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne (UCK) hospital in Gdańsk on 16 January 2011, three weeks after undergoing a bone marrow transplantation. "Adam feels good and is resting comfortably but cannot see any visitors as he can’t risk viral infections", said his ex-fiancée, Doda.[28] However, Nergal was readmitted to the hematology division of Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne (UCK) in Gdańsk after he developed an infection six weeks later. At the time, it was not immediately clear if the infection would affect Nergal's adoption of the bone marrow transplant and how long he would have to remain in hospital.[29] On 30 March 2011, MetalSucks published an interview with Nergal where he said that his health was improving. As of the interview, he had been out of the hospital for several weeks, and, according to Darski, "everything is going according to plan".[30]

Equipment

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Behemoth

[edit]
Main article: Behemoth discography

Me and that Man

[edit]
  • Songs of Love and Death (2017)
  • New Man, New Songs, Same Shit: Vol. 1 (2020)
  • New Man, New Songs, Same Shit: Vol. 2 (2021)

Guest appearances

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  • Mastiphal – Nocturnal Landscape (1994; drums)
  • Hermh – Crying Crown of Trees (1996; bass guitar)
  • December's Fire – Vae Victis (1996; vocals)
  • Damnation – Coronation (1997; bass guitar)
  • Hefeystos – Psycho Cafe (1998; vocals)
  • Hangover – Terrorbeer (2002; vocals)[42]
  • Vader – Revelations (2002; vocals)[43]
  • Mess Age – Self-Convicted (2002; vocals)[44]
  • Corruption – Orgasmusica (2003; vocals)[45]
  • Sweet Noise – Revolta (2003; vocals)[46]
  • Frontside – Teoria Konspiracji (2008; vocals)[47]
  • The Amenta – n0n (2008; vocals)[48]
  • Ex Deo – Romulus (2009; vocals)[49]
  • Vulgar – The Professional Blasphemy (2010; vocals)[50]
  • Czesław Śpiewa – Pop (2010; vocals)[51]
  • Root – Heritage of Satan (2011; vocals)[52]
  • Voodoo Gods – Shrunken Head[53] (2012; vocals)
  • Grzegorz Skawiński – Me & My Guitar (2012; guitar)[54]
  • Maciej Maleńczuk – Psychocountry (2012; vocals)[55]
  • Rome – The Lone Furrow (2020; vocals)[56]
  • Ibaraki - Rashomon (2022; vocals)

Filmography

[edit]
  • Historia polskiego rocka (2008, documentary, directed: Leszek Gnoiński, Wojciech Słota)[57]
  • Ambassada (2013)

Publications

[edit]
  • A. Darski, P. Weltrowski, K. Azarewicz, Spowiedź heretyka. Sacrum Profanum, G+J Gruner+Jahr Poland 2012, ISBN 978-83-7778-197-5

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Nergal's profile at the official website". behemoth.pl. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Interview: "Nergal is my legal name too" – Nergal from Behemoth discusses Bloodstock, surviving leukaemia, and *becoming* his stage name". ThrashHits.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b Bowman, AnneMarie. "MetalManiacs interview with Nergal". behemoth.pl. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  4. ^ Walaszczyk, Maciej. "Przed "Nergalem" był "Holocausto"" (in Polish). naszdziennik.pl. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  5. ^ Trzmiel, Antoni; Tycner, Adam. "Cztery oblicza Nergala (Wymagana rejestracja/Registration Required for Full Access)" (in Polish). rp.pl. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  6. ^ Błachewicz, Krzysztof. "Wywiad: Wolverine" (in Polish). rockmetal.pl. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  7. ^ "The Quietus | Features | A Quietus Interview | The Shade And The Light: Nergal Of Behemoth Interviewed". The Quietus. 10 February 2014.
  8. ^ "Behemoth: Nergal ESP Signature Guitar Unveiled". BlabberMouth.Net. Archived from the original on 4 April 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  9. ^ "Behemoth Frontman Nergal Facing Prison Time Over Bible Tearing Incident in Poland". metalunderground.com. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  10. ^ "Behemoth Frontman off the Hook in 2007 Bible-tearing-Case". blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 13 August 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  11. ^ "The Voice of Poland: trenerzy" (in Polish). tvp.pl. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  12. ^ "Nergal, new face of Demon energy drink". Truemetalhead.com. True Metalhead. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  13. ^ "Court rules against BEHEMOTH Frontman in Bible-tearing-Case". blabbermouth.net. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Poland". newhumanist.org.uk. 23 May 2013.
  15. ^ "Songs of Love and Death". 3 May 2017 – via Amazon.
  16. ^ "(NSFW) BEHEMOTH's Nergal Unveils First Folk Single from ME AND THE MAN, "My Church is Black"". 13 January 2017.
  17. ^ "Behemoth Frontman stepping out with Polish Pop Star". metalsucks.net. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  18. ^ "BEHEMOTH Frontman Dumps Polish Pop-Star Girlfriend?". blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 21 March 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  19. ^ "Nergal otwiera salon kosmetyczny dla brodaczy tak zwany barber shop". Dziennik Bałtycki. 28 August 2014.
  20. ^ "Barberian Academy Warszawa - nowy biznes Adama "Nergala" Darskiego". 26 September 2014.
  21. ^ "Behemoth's Nergal is Opening a Bar and a Second Barbershop in Poland". MetalSucks. 21 April 2015.
  22. ^ "Nergal otworzył Libację, swój klub w Sopocie". trojmiasto.pl. 2 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Behemoth Frontman Rushed To Hospital; All Previously Announced Shows Cancelled". blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  24. ^ "Behemoth Bassist Offers Update on Nergal's Leukemia". metalinjection.net. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  25. ^ "Nergal's Illness Confirmed to be Leukemia; Nergal Awaiting Marrow Transplant". metalunderground.com. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  26. ^ "Behemoth Frontman 'In Great Spirits' Following First Round of Chemo". blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  27. ^ "Behemoth: Leukemia-Stricken Frontman Finds Bone Marrow Match". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  28. ^ "Behemoth Frontman Leaves Polish Hospital". blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 10 December 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  29. ^ "Behemoth Frontman Nergal Back in the Hospital Due To Infection". metalunderground.com. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  30. ^ "Metalsucks Exclusive: Behemoth Frontman Nergal's First Interview Since Being Diagnosed with Leukemia". metalsucks.net. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  31. ^ a b c Salnikow, Bogusław. "Adam "Nergal" Darski (Behemoth)" (in Polish). magazyngitarzysta.pl. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  32. ^ "Mayones Signum Gothic Custom / Behemoth" (in Polish). mayones.pl. Archived from the original on 31 March 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  33. ^ Witold Trelecki. "May-Player News". "Metal Hammer". 3/2005, p. 28. Dariusz Świtała. Metal Mind Productions Sp. z o.o.. ISSN 1231-9759 (polish).
  34. ^ "Dean Guitars: Nergal". deanguitars.com. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  35. ^ Jon Wiederhorn, Tune-ups profiles – Behemoth Ankle's Away, Guitar World, October 2007, ISSN 1045-6295, s. 42
  36. ^ "ESP Guitars: Nergal". espguitars.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  37. ^ "Nergal z nową miłością w MC !" (in Polish). musicollective.pl. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  38. ^ a b c "Mark L: Nergal (search for Nergal)" (in Polish). marklcustom.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  39. ^ "Laboga Amplification Artists" (in Polish). laboga.pl. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  40. ^ "Radio Rebellion Tour With Behemoth". krankamps.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  41. ^ "Sommatone Amplification Artists". sommatone.com. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  42. ^ Hangöver, Terrorbeer, Deathstrike Records, Catalog Number DR 016
  43. ^ Revelations, Vader, Katowice, 2002, Metal Mind Productions, MMP CD 0154 DG.
  44. ^ Dutkowski, Lesław. "Mieszanka stylistyczna" (in Polish). muzyka.interia.pl. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  45. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Behemoth Biography". musicmight.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  46. ^ Łucyan, Przemek. "SWEET NOISE 'REVOLTA' - wywiad z Glacą" (in Polish). hardzone.pl. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  47. ^ "Nergal gościnnie u Frontside" (in Polish). nuta.pl. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  48. ^ "The Amenta Biography". theamenta.com. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  49. ^ Falzon, Denise. "Ex Deo Give Their First New Taste of Roman-Themed Death Metal". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  50. ^ Zegler, Zbigniew. "Na pohybel... wszystkim!" (in Polish). muzyka.wp.pl. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  51. ^ Dutkowski, Lesław. "Czesław śpiewa nudnawe baśnie dla dorosłych" (in Polish). muzyka.wp.pl. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  52. ^ "ROOT: New Album Title, Special Guests Announced". blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  53. ^ "Behemoth's Nergal, Ex-Members of Morbid Angel, Manowar Join Forces in Voodoo Gods". blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  54. ^ "Solowy album Skawińskiego w przyszłym roku" (in Polish). magazyngitarzysta.pl. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  55. ^ "Maleńczuk nagrał country z Nergalem" (in Polish). cgm.pl. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  56. ^ "Rome releases 16th album 'The Lone Furrow'". Music:LX – Luxembourg Export Office. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  57. ^ Dutkowski, Lesław. "Nergal Biografia" (in Polish). muzyka.onet.pl. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
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