An interview with TOMASZ ORION WROBLEWSKI From BEHEMOTH

BEHEMOTH
An interview with TOMASZ ORION WROBLEWSKI
Interviewed at the Comcast Theater in CT at the 2009 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL
Interviewed by Brandon Lee
Forward and Live Photos by Lena Lamoray
www.LenaLamoray.com

BEHEMOTH has been bringing their visionary construct to the masses since 1991. They take their audience on a visual and auditory journey into their dark world. They are frequently met with opposition due to their artistic interpretation and their favor of the dark arts. Their videos depict vivid imagery that some people choose not to handle but I feel they are inventive and perfect accompaniments to their music. BEHEMOTH just released their ninth studio album, EVANGELION and it available everywhere on METAL BLADE RECORDS so pick up a copy.


Brandon: Let’s talk about your new record.

ORION: It’s our 9th record and we tried to stay more focused on the music itself and the atmosphere. With this album, we are kind of going back, I would say.

Brandon: So, would you say this is a more sinister piece?

ORION: There are so many brutal death metal bands, and we are not trying to compete. People say we are blackened death metal or extreme metal, or whatever. We don’t really fit into any labels.

Brandon: Well, I guess your image, the corpse paint, is the only thing that can sell you as black metal then.

ORION: Probably.

Brandon: So, your fan response in America is very positive, and I have no idea what goes on in Europe. All I know is you’re close to getting banned from your homeland.

ORION: Yeah, they are called the All-Polish Committee for Defense Against Sects. They are giving us a hard time; they are some kind of organization working for one of the government parties. We had some shows cancelled, some court trials, and so far we have won them all.

Brandon: This is all for your anti-Christian act?

ORION: Yes. They are actually giving us a lot of press. Like mainstream kind of press, this is good, even if they speak badly about us.

Brandon: Well, in America, not too many people will chew you out for saying “Fuck Jesus!”

ORION: Still we are having protests at the shows.

Brandon: Well, it gives you more press, like you said, which worked for Marilyn Manson, who you are on tour with.

Brandon: I am to understand you guys are regular guys who enjoy football and lift weights for fun?

ORION: Yeah, we spend most of our time on tour, and once you realize it is your life happening, you should stop treating your body like a bag full of shit. Because when you’re on tour, you’re eating shit, and doing crazy stuff and it doesn’t affect you until the time that you realize that that’s your life and you’re not going to go back home for months. And, Behemoth stage shows are kind of demanding.

Brandon: I just heard your new record leaked on the internet. Now a bunch of people are downloading it for free. Is that the kind of thing that bothers you?

ORION: It is too bad it was a little too early, but it was going to the internet at some time. Still, whoever wants to buy it is going to buy it anyway. Metal music is kind of specific. People buy the records just to have them.

Brandon: So if they download the music for free, then they better go buy a $20 t-shirt!

ORION: Yes! Please. That is awesome.

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