Earlier this month, Adam “Nergal” Darski, frontman of Polish satanic death metal act Behemoth, was hit with new blasphemy charges for “offending religious feelings” due to a picture on his Facebook where he was standing on an illustration of the Virgin Mary. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that Nergal had been convicted of these crimes, and would be forced to pay PLN 15,000 (roughly $4,000), not to mention having to pay an additional PLN 3,500 in court costs, in punishment. In retaliation, Nergal has launched a GoFundMe to collect money to help Polish artists battling the country’s strict blasphemy laws.
Nergal has labeled the fund ‘Ordo Blasfemia,’ with the goal of aiding his fellow countrymen in having the funds to fight against charges of blasphemy and pay for their legal fees.
“Many Polish artists, including myself, have been dragged into court rooms, at our own significant costs, to defend ourselves against nonsensical blasphemy laws made by tenuous Politicans [sic]. Their intent is to censor anyone who does not conform to the archaic religious laws of our country. The time has come for Polish artists to fight back – join us in the Ordo Blasfemia.
“Your donation will help fund a sustainable legal challenge to squash the existing and incoming bogus prosecutions. Help us reach the target so we can distribute to other artists facing their own legal challenges. If you are unable to donate – thank you for your support. Please keep checking back in and sharing updates!”
The vocalist explains the situation in a YouTube video, which can be watched below:
Nergal recently outlined his plans to appeal the blasphemy conviction against him, telling The Irish Times, “We can’t be part of the European Union if we are upholding different standards. We have a blasphemy law, and we are the only country in Europe that still holds to that law — and that is insane. That is an excuse for all of those people, all those opportunists. I must win, because we can’t see my case becoming a precedent. People like myself need to be protected to freely express themselves.”
More on this story as it unfolds. Meanwhile, European fans can catch Behemoth with Arch Enemy, Carcass, and Unto Others at one of the following dates:
Sep. 28 – IE – Dublin, Olympia Theatre
Sep. 30 – UK – Glasgow, O2 Academy Glasgow
Oct. 01 – UK – Manchester, O2 Academy Manchester
Oct. 02 – UK – Birmingham, O2 Academy Birmingham
Oct. 03 – UK – London, O2 Academy Brixton
Oct. 05 – FR – Paris, Le Zénith
Oct. 06 – FR – Toulouse, Le Bikini
Oct. 08 – PT – Lisbon, Sala Tejo
Oct. 09 – ES – Madrid, Palacio Vistalegre
Oct. 10 – ES – Barcelona, Palau Sant Jordi
Oct. 12 – FR – Lyon, Le Radiant
Oct. 13 – IT – Milano, Alcatraz
Oct. 15 – DE – Berlin, Columbiahalle
Oct. 16 – CZ – Prague, Tipsport Arena
Oct. 17 – PL – Katowice, MCK
Oct. 19 – HU – Budapest, Barba Negra
Oct. 20 – AT – Vienna, Gasometer
Oct. 22 – DE – Ludwigsburg, MHP Arena
Oct. 23 – NL – Den Bosch, Mainstage Brabanthallen
Oct. 24 – BE – Brussels, Forest National
Oct. 26 – CH – Zurich, Samsung Hall
Oct. 27 – DE – Frankfurt, Jahrhunderthalle
Oct. 29 – DE – Munich, Zenith
Oct. 30 – DE – Düsseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Oct. 31 – DE – Hamburg, edel-optics.de Arena
Nov. 01 – SE – Gothenburg, Partille Arena
Nov. 03 – FI – Helsinki, Ice Hall
Nov. 05 – SE – Stockholm, Annexet
Nov. 06 – DK – Copenhagen, Forum
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Words by Chris Krovatin
