Nergal is Behemoth!
Of course Inferno is an awesome drum machine and have been a part of the band for a long time. Orion is a great musician and is more than just a bass player, especially live.
But i believe Nergal is the one who is behind all the ideology, lyrics and music writing (well strongly most of it).

Well, I knew of the band long before I knew who this Nergal fellow was. Then I bought a Behemoth CD and there he is.

Written by Hyvaarin on 21.01.2007 at 18:45

I think it's very much Nergal/Inferno. They almost have a Satyr/Frost thing going on there (looking at it through the eyes of someone who doesn't know too much about the band, keep in mind).

The differance between Behemoth and Satyricon is that Satyricon is a two man band, they write and record all the albums themselves and hire musicians to tour with them.

Most bands are actually well known because of their frontmen, so it would not surprise me to see if it is the case with Behemoth, especially since Nergal is the band's force.

Written by Lucas on 21.01.2007 at 15:13

Well, Nergal is the frontman AND the founding member of the band, so he is kind of the 'main' person. At least, in theory. But I am glad all the members have their input.

Building off the above response ...

Behemoth was Nergal's band from day one. He formed the band, he wrote the early lyrics (he doesn't write the majority of lyrics now, he has a partner that he works with), he's the only member present on every recording, and he definitely decides the fate of the band. Behemoth is Nergal and Nergal is Behemoth, regardless of whether or not people identify him or the band as such.

That being said, is that a good thing? The early members who went on to form Hell-Born may not have contributed much to Behemoth, but they certainly didn't do much with Hell-Born either. As many have mentioned, Inferno's drumming is up there with the metal elite. I don't think he gets the recognition he deserves - and if you haven't seen Behemoth live, you'll never fully appreciate his skills - but, then again, he's "just another death metal drummer."

I'm personally extremely disappointed with the last two Behemoth albums. I find them to be very run-of-the-mill death metal albums. I think the switch from black to death was a bad move for them. On the other hand, the black metal scene has become so watered-down in the past few years that it's a total crapshoot either way. Instead of being "just another black metal band" they are "just another death metal band" - it's a wash as far as that goes, but financially it seems to be the best route for them. I just wish Nergal didn't turn into such a media-whore in the process. He's 100% poseur now, right up there with Shagrath and Dani Filth.

I miss black metal behemoth...

My thoughts are completely summed up in my avatar. Nergal is my idol!

Of course, Nergal is the 'main man' in Behemoth.
But sum up a band to only one member is ridiculous and nonsense.
All members on this band are talented.

Written by White Winter Sun on 31.03.2008 at 16:06

Of course, Nergal is the 'main man' in Behemoth.
But sum up a band to only one member is ridiculous and nonsense.
All members on this band are talented.

You have a good strong point, and I agree with you although I voted frontman. I voted Frontman because without Nergal what is Behemoth? When you hear Behemoth who do you picture? Nergal. When your on Metalstorm and you hear Nergal who do you confuse the name with? Nervel. lol

But my point is, a frontman in a band is going to have a ton of attention in their band, nobody can deny that point, but they will be discussed more especially when they write the lyrics and music.

Written by Lord TJ on 31.03.2008 at 16:34

Written by White Winter Sun on 31.03.2008 at 16:06

Of course, Nergal is the 'main man' in Behemoth.
But sum up a band to only one member is ridiculous and nonsense.
All members on this band are talented.

You have a good strong point, and I agree with you although I voted frontman. I voted Frontman because without Nergal what is Behemoth? When you hear Behemoth who do you picture? Nergal. When your on Metalstorm and you hear Nergal who do you confuse the name with? Nervel. lol

But my point is, a frontman in a band is going to have a ton of attention in their band, nobody can deny that point, but they will be discussed more especially when they write the lyrics and music.

Yes, but after a while, with constant enough members, a band becomes who their members are. Dream Theater isn't just James. Morbid Angel isn't just David. Slayer isn't just Tom. Black Sabbath wasn't just Ozzy. Rainbow wasn't just Dio. You get where I'm coming from? Obviously, Behemoth haven't been around for as long, and Nergal is the front man and controls what happens, but he isn't a Dave Mustaine type. To me, Behemoth is Nergal and Inferno right now, but Orion is also very important in the scheme in my opinion.

But to the masses and unfamiliar crowd? I'd say a front man always gets the attention at first.

Written by Clintagräm on 31.03.2008 at 19:09

Yes, but after a while, with constant enough members, a band becomes who their members are. Dream Theater isn't just James. Morbid Angel isn't just David. Slayer isn't just Tom. Black Sabbath wasn't just Ozzy. Rainbow wasn't just Dio. You get where I'm coming from? Obviously, Behemoth haven't been around for as long, and Nergal is the front man and controls what happens, but he isn't a Dave Mustaine type. To me, Behemoth is Nergal and Inferno right now, but Orion is also very important in the scheme in my opinion.

But to the masses and unfamiliar crowd? I'd say a front man always gets the attention at first.

Yea but Behemoth has been around for 17 years, and their newest member being from 2003. Im sure theres lots of fans that recognize Behemoth as band members, those of strong fans that is. So I guess technically its all up in the air depending how big of a fan you are. I just think Nergal is more recognized in the band more than anything.

Written by Lord TJ on 31.03.2008 at 19:55

Written by Clintagräm on 31.03.2008 at 19:09

Yes, but after a while, with constant enough members, a band becomes who their members are. Dream Theater isn't just James. Morbid Angel isn't just David. Slayer isn't just Tom. Black Sabbath wasn't just Ozzy. Rainbow wasn't just Dio. You get where I'm coming from? Obviously, Behemoth haven't been around for as long, and Nergal is the front man and controls what happens, but he isn't a Dave Mustaine type. To me, Behemoth is Nergal and Inferno right now, but Orion is also very important in the scheme in my opinion.

But to the masses and unfamiliar crowd? I'd say a front man always gets the attention at first.

Yea but Behemoth has been around for 17 years, and their newest member being from 2003. Im sure theres lots of fans that recognize Behemoth as band members, those of strong fans that is. So I guess technically its all up in the air depending how big of a fan you are. I just think Nergal is more recognized in the band more than anything.

Well yeah, like you said he is. And like you said also it depends on the fan, and also the exposure of and to the band.

Written by [user id=31729] on 29.03.2008 at 02:41

I miss black metal behemoth...

Although I hate Nergal, I have to admit that Behemoth is synonymous with Nergal.

Written by [user id=119833] on 18.08.2011 at 17:07

Although I hate Nergal, I have to admit that Behemoth is synonymous with Nergal.

Agreed.
I know lots of people love them for the drumming. Sooo powerful.

Behemoth are known for being a BAND that have released some of the most savage Black/Death metal ever. It's people talking on forums, that talk about Nergal who make him the talking point of the moment. Can't think of anything he's done to make himself stand out from the band.

Written by [user id=119833] on 18.08.2011 at 17:07

Although I hate Nergal, I have to admit that Behemoth is synonymous with Nergal.

Of course he is.......it's his band

Nergal with his finger inside own ass saying hey how good I feel - I wan't to share it all with you - is the most common opinion here in Poland. But I'm far from considering Nergal as a "sell-fish" person, but omitting the fact last album I admired was Pandemonic Incantation congrats on mood. Anyway Nergal IS Behemoth as Leader should be, period.

Would this thread have anything to do with him dating some Polish pop star, by any chance? Before that relationship (and the ensuing publicity), I'm sure the band was better known than Nergal as an individual. I don't know what the situation in Poland is like right now re: Nergal's fame, but here in Australia the band is definitely better known than the frontman.

I voted "frontman" but is that the truth?
I saw Behemoth live a couple of times before knowing who the '(''è! Nergal was.
I don't care. It's a band and you love 'em or hate 'em. Nothing to do with their frontman.

If you hate Nergal and you like Behemoth's music, what then?

I have heard of Behemoth. Well, I've at least seen some guys with Behemoth shirts and such. I don't know anything about their music though, but I certainly don't know this Nergal dude. So I suppose I know the band better than the guy.

Written by matos on 22.03.2008 at 03:06

Nergal is Behemoth!
Of course Inferno is an awesome drum machine and have been a part of the band for a long time. Orion is a great musician and is more than just a bass player, especially live.
But i believe Nergal is the one who is behind all the ideology, lyrics and music writing (well strongly most of it).

This is pretty much my opinion on the topic.