Behemoth and Polish authorities just don't get along when it comes to Behemoth being Behemoth. This time the band is in trouble over its "The Republic Of The Unfaithful" shirts, which Polish authorities have deemed to allegedly disrespect the White Eagle. The eagle is a part of the national coat of arms of Poland.
Behemoth has been ordered to stop selling the shirts altogether.
“So here I go again. On my way to the prosecutors office in Gdansk to be questioned as a suspect in “The republic of the unfaithful” case. Me and my partner in “crime” Maciek Manticore Gruszka is showing up too. Several individuals have been already questioned including heraldists who have made their statement clear: THIS IS NOT A POLISH EMBLEM. Apparently it’s not nuff for the decision makers in the court. Are they looking for a scapegoat?
Is this another attempt of the Polish government to convict Nergal and give an example for other artists? What’s the hidden message of those actions may I ask? “Do NOT fuck with us”? “Polish emblem as well as other religious symbols are meant to be untouchable”?, “art has its strict borders and thou shalt obey Nergal!”? Weird times, weird country, weird vibes… I do NOT feel safe and comfortable here I must admit but do I feel guilty? Fuck no.
I worship the reason and I’m a massive fan of logic therefore it is OBVIOUS that the eagle that has NO crown can NOT be a Polish emblem. Period. Sadly we have stopped selling shirts with this motive (but hey, it’s ALREADY the best selling shirt in our catalogue! huurraaay!) but what we r gonna do with fans who have tattooed “The republic of the unfaithful” on their back? Shall we arrest them? Peel the skin off? Cover it up?
These rhetorical questions I’m gonna leave unanswered here and go to do what I do best: piss stupid people off with sincere and honest art and I shall NEVER give up on my freedom to do so. “Do what Thou wilt shall be the whole of the law”! Enjoy your day folks!”
You can find pictures of the shirts below, as well as The White Eagle for comparison. This isn't the first time Nergal and Behemoth got in trouble with Polish authorities. Back in 2010 Nergal faced up to two years in prison for ripping up a Bible on stage and calling it a "book of lies," though ultimately he was let off without any prison time.
