Adam “Nergal” Darski, frontman of Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth, recently shared his perspective on Christmas celebrations. He explained how he embraces the holiday season despite rejecting its religious and commercial aspects. His comments were made during an interview on the Everblack podcast.
Darski discussed how he views Christmas as a time for family and reflection, rooted in pagan traditions rather than Christian beliefs.
“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,” Darski said. “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. 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 bullshit — that is pretty much commerce; it’s all commercial, [and] I don’t give a fuck — 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.”
The musician elaborated on how he finds inspiration in the quieter moments of the season and his plans to spend time with his mother.
“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. 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.”
He continued:
“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 fucking trigger you and piss you off. But everyone has his own skeletons, so fuck it. I’m cool,” he continued. “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, fucking not really doing anything. And for some reason it’s very inspiring and it’s very soothing. So, yeah, I like it.”
Darski’s comments reflect his long-standing position on religious matters. This stance has frequently put him at odds with Poland’s predominantly Catholic society. His rejection of Christian symbolism and embrace of pagan traditions aligns with his broader philosophical stance that has shaped both his personal life and artistic expression.
Nergal’s controversial stance on religion has led to significant legal challenges throughout his career. Consequence reported that he was acquitted in 2025 on charges of “offending religious feelings” related to past social media posts and provocative artworks. This legal victory came after years of facing potential prison time for various incidents, including tearing up a Bible during a 2007 concert. That incident resulted in blasphemy charges that could have led to two years imprisonment.
The musician’s assertion about Christmas having pagan origins finds support among historians and scholars. History for Atheists noted that many Christmas traditions do indeed derive from older pagan festivals such as Yule, Saturnalia, and various sun-god celebrations. This historical perspective provides context for Darski’s claim that Christians “stole those celebrations from Pagans” and simply rebranded them with Christian symbolism.
The broader metal and alternative communities have long embraced this perspective on Christmas. Shortlist highlighted that many within these circles view Christmas as “nothing more than old pagan Yule’s Eve, the celebration of life and light.” They emphasize that Christians appropriated the most significant pagan holiday. This viewpoint resonates with Darski’s approach of celebrating the seasonal aspects while rejecting the religious overlay.
Darski’s ability to separate the cultural and familial aspects of Christmas from its religious connotations reflects a pragmatic approach. This allows him to maintain his anti-religious stance while still participating in meaningful traditions. His emphasis on family time, reflection, and seasonal cycles demonstrates how personal values can transcend institutional religious frameworks. This is particularly relevant for artists who have built careers challenging conventional religious authority.
