Behemoth’s Nergal: Decapitated wouldn’t hurt a fly

Adam ‘Nergal’ Darski
Adam \u2018Nergal\u2019 Darski (Image credit: Oskar Szramka)

Behemoth vocalist and guitarist Adam ‘Nergal’ Darski has given his thoughts on Decapitated, after charges against them were dropped in the US late last week.

Michal Lysejko, Waclaw Kietlyka, Rafal Piotrowski and Hubert Wiecek were alleged to have raped a woman on their tour bus after a show in Spokane, Washington, on August 31, 2017.

But just days before their trial was due to begin, the charges against the band were dropped – leaving them free to return home to Poland after spending months in the US.

Negal says: “Four months ago, Decapitated were accused of kidnap and gang rape – subsequently they were put in a county prison and later into a local jail – and the shit hit the fan!

“I recall the similar case of my friends from Satyricon/Keep of Kalessin who spent two months in a Canadian prison because someone accused them of rape. It took two months of legal bureaucracy and the help of the Norwegian government to get them out.

“The accuser finally recanted the allegations, claiming it was a mistake. They never received compensation for financial losses or emotional trauma, just a brief apology and a document to prove their innocence – which they must always carry around with them.”

He continues: “Somehow, from the very beginning my intuition told me my friends from Decapitated would be just fine. Now, I’m not claiming to be a prophet but I’m an optimist and a good judge of character. I know these guys and I know they couldn’t/wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“They are now released and have had charges dropped – without prejudice. It’s obviously a big relief to their families and friends, including myself. So… what’s next for their career after such severe defamation?

“What about their good name? What about their families? I hope they get their justice and strike back soon! And Justice For All? Well… not quite. But getting innocent people back home… hell yes!”

Nergal’s statement concludes: “Last thing, friends – stay rational and reasonable and think carefully before you speak and cast a stone at innocent people. Welcome home brothers.”

Following the legal case being dropped, Decapitated issued a statement of their own.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.