BEHEMOTH Frontman: 'I Left The Hospital Victorious'

Adam "Nergal" Darski, the 33-year-old leukemia-stricken guitarist/vocalist of the Polish extreme metal act BEHEMOTH, left the hematology division of Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne (UCK) in Gdansk four weeks after he underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure.

Nergal has since released the following statement on his condition:

"Hey! What's up! At last — one could say.

"After almost half a year of treatment in various hospitals, several cycles of chemotherapy, irradiation and a bone marrow transplant, I have been finally released home in a pretty fuckin' good condition.

"I'm feeling OK, taking the intensity of treatment under consideration.

"That was not an easy period of my life, but, as I envisioned, I left the hospital victorious. I never considered any other options, but anyway, there were rough moments, too…

"At this point I must express my thanks to the people who made all of those downs fairly bearable. My parents — thank you. You deserve a monument for all your love and patience. Dorotka [Darski's fiancée, 26-year-old Polish pop singer Doda; real name: Dorota Rabczewska], thank you for your heroic attitude, love and support. I can't forget Doda's fans, who made a gigantic effort for me and other ill people. You rule! Absolutely fantastic BEHEMOTH fans from all over the world were organizing various events to make people aware of what leukemia is. To all of you out there — my deepest respect! Thank you — the real heroes — Prof. Hellmann, Dr. Piekarska, Dr. Knopinska, Doc. Giebel, Prof. Holowiecki and all the nurses of the hematology division of the Medical Academy in Gdansk and the Oncology Clinic in Gliwice for all the professionalism and great hearts. My bandmates for all the friendship and never-ending support. All my friends for sticking to me throughout the whole period of my illness. The list is too long to mention you all, but remember, you have special place in my heart."

Nergal will now go through a recovery which will last for several months. During this time he will stay in his flat in one of the Gdansk's districts.

He added, "Although the whole treatment went really good, as well as the bone marrow transplant and the post-transplant period, the next several months is the time when I must really take care of myself. Of course, I will have plenty of time to recover, think about the strategy and my return to the stage — which approaches imminently. (laughs) First of all, however, I must rebuild my physical condition…

"Apart from that, I hunger for playing, I haven't been playing the guitar for a half of year now!

"Really much to catch up, but also a huge motivation and a desire to work again at the same time.

"This year will be a really important one for me and the band!"

BEHEMOTH's "Evangelia Heretika" DVD was released in the U.S. on November 9 via Metal Blade Records, in Poland via Mystic Records, and in the rest of Europe through Nuclear Blast. It contains three discs featuring two full shows ("Live In Paris 2008" and "Live In Warsaw 2009"); every BEHEMOTH music video ever made; "Evangelion" tour documentary featuring band interviews plus tons of backstage footage; and a bonus "Live in Warsaw" audio CD.