While currently on the road as part of the traveling Knotfest Roadshow, black metal force Behemoth decided to pump the iron right quick before their next scheduled performance. However, their plans for a cheeky shred sesh were cut short after the bands vocalist, Nergal, was kicked out of the Clarkston, Michigan YMCA for not “worshipping” Jesus Christ.
Taking to Instagram in an extended video, Nergal explains to his driver what went down. Upon entering the gym wearing the merch from Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone, Nergal explains he was stopped by YMCA staff and asked up front if he worships Jesus Christ as his lord and saviour. Anyone aware of Nergal or the work of Behemoth well know the answer was a swift and resounding Yeah, Nah.
YMCA does stand for Young Men’s Christian Association.
“We don’t.” He explains to his driver recalling the incident, “We come from Poland and we worship Odin…And they would’t let us work out at the YCMA.” Throughout his recollection, Nergal seems equal parts baffled and annoyed at what went down, and ponders the logic behind the YMCAs decision to kick them out, given his understanding of Darkthrone, and indeed Norwegian Black metal on a whole as “The most friendly music on earth”
A known class act, Nergal decided to laugh it off rather than go full church-burning on everyone involved. The caption of his Instagram video reads, “U can ask your buddies to censor my art, u can ask your disciples to bring me to courts, u can ask your sons to boycott Behemoth’s shows… but u can’t FUCK with my work out routine!
Nergal’s post was picked up by Darkthrone who shared it to their socials.
“I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry when I heard about it.” Darkthrone’s post read, “Have any of you had any simular problem wearing a Darkthrone shirt?” they ask their followers in disbelief.
After recounting the while situation to the driver, Nergal decides to move on. “We have to go to Anytime Fitness now, hopefully they’ll let us work out in Darkthrone shirts.”
