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Behemoth's Nergal acquitted in religious offense case

06.02.2025 17:22
Adam "Nergal" Darski, the frontman of the world-famous Polish death metal band Behemoth, has been officially acquitted in a case involving the offense of religious feelings.
Adam Nergal Darski, pictured in 2023 at the Fryderyk Festival, a prestigious event celebrating pop and jazz music, held at Arena Gliwice in southern Poland.
Adam "Nergal" Darski, pictured in 2023 at the Fryderyk Festival, a prestigious event celebrating pop and jazz music, held at Arena Gliwice in southern Poland.Photo: PAP/Zbigniew Meissner

The Gdańsk District Court upheld last year’s ruling that acquitted musician of two charges and conditionally dropped a third.

The case involved social media posts from 2016 and 2017 featuring phallic sculptures with crucifixes, which were deemed offensive by some. The appeal focused only on a 2018 video, but the court maintained the original decision.

The court ruled that while his actions were disrespectful, they did not convey any specific opinion or message, and therefore, his behavior was deemed "meaninglessly empty."

Behemoth is a Polish extreme metal band, formed in 1991, known for its aggressive sound, elaborate stage performances, and controversial themes that often challenge religious norms.

In 2007, they became the first band in Polish popular music history to appear on the Billboard sales chart, debuting at No. 149 in the first week. In Poland, their eighth album, The Apostasy, reached No. 9 on the OLiS sales chart.

Behemoth has been featured in major publications such as Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, L.A. Weekly, The New York Times, and Decibel Magazine, which ranked frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski 17th among the "Top 20 Death Metal Guitarists."

Their latest single, The Shit Ov God, is out now.

Source: PAP/X/@BehemothBand

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