Anso DF of MetalSucks recently conducted an interview with BEHEMOTH, whose new album, Evangelion, comes out today.

Frontman Nergal spoke about Evangelion, the reaction it has been receiving from press and fans, not being satisfied with previous album The Apostasy, and possibly becoming the next crossover extreme metal band. An excerpt follows:

Q: Do you feel like things are starting to happen for Behemoth? You guys are everywhere.

A: "Yes! [laughs] I do feel that. I sense it. First of all, we’re perfectly aware that we’re offering the strongest Behemoth album to date. Evangelion is the most significant, defining record of our career. The second thing is that we have back-up from two of the strongest independent labels in the metal business: Metal Blade here in the US, and Nuclear Blast in Europe. These people are so fucking passionate and determined; they push our band so hard.

Just to give you an example: I’ve been doing interviews for four, maybe five weeks? I’ve done more than two-hundred interviews for this record, which is more than The Apostasy and Demigod put together. It’s resources. It’s distribution. And it’s interest. One thing pulling another thing. Its just... it’s happening, y'know?

And the album is more than amazing. I’m so fucking stoked. I’m so fucking happy. It looks like people - both media and fans - are [having the same response] to it. Which is the whole point! That is amazing. We are doing this Mayhem tour now, which is going nothing but great. We have touring plans for later this year and next year. You can definitely see a tendency to grow for Behemoth in the near future."

Q: You said that there’s a lot of interest and passion at the label, and therefore a lot of support. It’s pretty hard not to be interested in Behemoth.

A: [laughs] "I take it as a compliment. I don’t know what to say. All I can say is that we are completely committed to what we do. We’re so devoted, motivated, and passionate about Behemoth and the music we make. That’s it, y’know? And if people pick it up, that’s awesome. And if not, at least I still have an easy conscience, because I do this stuff that I myself love.

But importantly, there’s an energy around us. We’re just bursting with energy, be it on stage or in the studio or in videos. That energy is present. And... I’m just guessing, but maybe that energy is captivating. So people keep their interest on Behemoth and enjoy our music, live shows, and so on. That’s my theory. I don’t know if it’s the reality."

Q: I think that’s accurate. For one thing, Behemoth - and your views in particular - tend to cause a philosophical streak in journalists. And even your personal life is being exposed a bit. How comfortable are you with that?

A: "You know what? That’s part of what it is. But then again, I’m not really an introvert. I have no problem speaking to the media and to people. I’m always very sociable. I’m a good talker - I hope. I love talking. And really that’s part of my life and part of the band. We definitely wouldn’t have made it here, if it wasn’t for us being so available - to people and to the media. I wouldn’t even say it’s a "price" because [we] aren’t really sacrificing anything. You know what I mean? [excitedly] I’m talking to you in the press and I’m on tour [where] there’s really nothing else to do. You know what I mean?!

This is my second interview today, and I’m fucking excited that I can share my answers with people. And the whole point is people are going to pass it over to other people. That’s the way it works. It’s like a chain reaction. I want the energy that we feel to be fucking contagious."

Q: You mentioned the new album, Evangelion. How excited are you? Fans are excited!

A: "Well, you and I didn’t talk after I did The Apostasy, so let me tell you: when we did that album, I was fucking worn out. I hated myself; I hated the record. Of course, I was proud of it. It was fresh. It was new. So I was supporting it. Then there were all the politics involved and we were about to tour. I couldn’t just say no to journalists, obviously. I tried to bring out the best in the record, but there was so much trauma in the studio. I ended up disliking the record. My opinion, of course, is different now; I can see it’s a very strong Behemoth album - the album that brought the band to where we are now. It was like a bridge between Demigod - which was our breakthrough record - and Evangelion, which hopefully is gonna fucking bring us to that next level.

The Apostasy was a very significant and important record. But music-wise, when it was done, I was like "Fuck! This is wrong, we should’ve done that better,’ and so on. With Evangelion, I can hear things here and there; if you tweaked this album to make it perfect - it’s almost perfect - I will never ever be happier with any Behemoth record than I am now. This is probably the only time that I’m leaving the studio with a big smile, and not with depression. This should give you the answer."

Read the full interview at this location.

As previously reported, the controversial and thought provoking new video 'Ov Fire And The Void' from Behemoth, made its wold premiere recently on YouTube. The video was subsequently banned as quickly as it appeared. An alternate, YouTube friendly version is available for viewing below.

'Ov Fire And The Void' was filmed by Grupa 13 in Poland, the same people behind Behemoth’s last video, 'At The Left Hand Ov God'.

Nergal comments on the incredibly powerful video, “We are proud and we are satisfied. This is our life’s work and we are happy to finally get it out to people. Watch and enjoy!”

Evangelion, the band’s ninth full length album, was recorded in the band's hometown at Radio Gdansk studio with longtime sound engineer Malta, the Wieslawscy Brothers, and Daniel Bergstrand (drum engineering) in the producers' chairs. Evangelion was mixed in Miloco Studios by Colin Richardson and will be unleashed in the US on August 11th via Metal Blade Records and in Europe on August 9th via Nuclear Blast.

About the lyrics, leader Nergal comments:

"The Shemhamphorasch is an epithet for a 216-letter name of God discovered by medieval kabbalists in the book of Exodus by reading the letters of three verses in a specific order. The name is composed of 72 groups of three letters, each of these triplets being the name of an angel or intelligence. According to the magical tradition, King Solomon evoked 72 demons, confined them in a bronze vessel sealed by magical symbols, and obliged them to work for him. These demons are catalogued in various magical grimoires, most notably in Lemegeton, which gives descriptions of their powers, appearance and manner, as well as instructions for controlling them. These demons are shadows of the 72 angels of shemhamphorasch. Using their names and sigils, we are able to call on the various demons for various favors. Regardless of our opinions on subjectivity or objectivity of such a phenomenon, despite of our interpretative model of their existence, be it ontological (magicko-religious) or epistemological (magicko-scientific), certain things do happen. Demons and angels enable us to categorize life experience and to face it more consciously. Our life and art is not about providing you with ideology and persuade different 'isms.' It is a battle field for opposite forces, pangs of childbirth whose name will be perfection."

As previously reported, Evangelion will be released in North America as a digi-pak containing the record as well as a bonus DVD that follows the band throughout the recording process. The footage was shot while the band forged Evangelion between January and May of 2009. Fans can view a sneak preview of this footage at this location.

Behemoth are currently streaming their new album, Evangelion, in it's entirety at this location.

Behemoth "Ov Fire And The Void" from Metal Blade Records on Vimeo.