BEHEMOTH’s NERGAL On Celebrating Christmas: “It’s About Family Time, Not Religion”

Despite his long-standing anti-Christian stance, Behemoth vocalist and guitarist Adam “Nergal” Darski says he genuinely enjoys celebrating Christmas — just not for religious reasons.

In a new interview with the Everblack podcast, Darski, who was raised Catholic in Poland but later became one of extreme metal’s most outspoken critics of organized religion, was asked whether he celebrates Christmas with his family. His answer was an emphatic yes.

“Absolutely,” Nergal said. “In the first place, the fact that Christians stole those celebrations from Pagans—they just put a different emblem on it—it’s not gonna stop me from enjoying the fact that I can just chill and do nothing and relax with my family.”

According to Nergal, Christmas has little to do with Christianity at all: “It’s about the family time and there’s nothing wrong about it. It has no religious associations whatsoever,” he continued. “It’s a time when everyone takes time off, slows down, and needs tranquility and peace.”

Living in Poland, where winters can be bleak and gray, Nergal described the season as introspective rather than depressing: “This period of the year can be very joyful, even though it’s not sunny and full of energy,” he said. “It’s very relaxing, and I’m happy not to be traveling.”

Nergal also shared that he plans to spend the holidays with his mother, who lives several hours away, following the death of his father three years ago.

“Blood is thicker than water,” he said. “Even though family members are often the ones who can trigger you the easiest… there’s a space and time for reflection now. I can read, think, and just not really do anything—and for some reason, it’s very inspiring and soothing.”

Nergal‘s comments may surprise some, given his well-documented history of religious controversy, including public acts like tearing pages from a Bible onstage and the infamous YMCA hoax. That same confrontational energy has recently resurfaced with Behemoth’s upcoming thirteenth studio album, The Shit Ov God.

The album title sparked immediate backlash and plenty of jokes, but Nergal insists critics are missing the point: “Some people get it, some people didn’t,” said Nergal in a recent interview with Heavy. “No, I can’t do better. This is the best I can give you.”

He emphasized that The Shit Ov God isn’t a cheap shock tactic: “Just get the record, read the lyrics. It’s not a stupid title. It’s a very challenging, very demanding album—and it’s more philosophical than you think it is.”

Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir will embark on the In League With Satan co-headlining tour in Europe come October 2026 alongside openers Dark Funeral. Get your tickets here.

10/9 Zurich, Switzerland Halle 622
10/10 Zwickau, Germany Sparkassen-Arena Zwickau
10/11 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg Rockhal
10/13 Milan, Italy Alcatraz
10/14 Munich, Germany Zenith
10/16 Paris, France Zenith
10/18 Den Bosch, Netherlands Mainstage
10/20 Cologne, Germany Palladium
10/22 Hamburg, Germany Inselpark Arena
10/23 Berlin, Germany Columbiahalle
10/24 Brno, Czech Republic Hala Vodova
10/27 Helsinki, Finland Ice Hall
10/29 Stockholm, Sweden B-K
10/30 Copenhagen, Denmark K.B. Hallen