Artist: Behemoth
Title: “Demigod”
Label: Olympic Recordings
Release Date: 10/11/2004
Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Rating: 7/10
Proving themselves that they are a force to be reckoned with in the genre of Death Metal music comes Krakow Poland’s own “Behemoth”. The release of “Demigod” on Olympic Recordings (a subsidiary of Century Media Records) is a pummeling assault to all of the senses in the most brutal of fashions. The difference between Behemoth and other purveyors of the genre is apparent right off the bat. The band lays down the power as soon as the CD begins for the band holds a stark difference to many others in the technical precision. What I heard on the CD has yet to be matched and clearly they are out to raise the bar on the Death style as much as Dimmu Borgir has raised the expectations of those who follow the Black Metal stuff. Most impressive to me was the intense drumming by Inferno. He holds the record in my book on faster double-bass drums recorded if you ask me. I think he even is faster than the mighty Dave Lombardo of Slayer. Nergal growls with the best of them about the Dark Gods they follow and it is definitely a bleak world they sing of. One expects that in Death Metal after all. The lineup on the CD is rounded out by Orion on bass, and Seth on guitar.
To time it, the record will speed by you faster than you might expect, running a mere ten songs with the longest number being the last (which runs over 8 minutes while others are topped at 3.30). I had some immediate favorites in the thunder and these were perhaps “Demigod”, “Conquer All” and “The Reign” (I am a sucker for epics be they Death or anything else).
The CD is a close amount to what you will see live in concert, and I advise fans of the music to check the band out live if they make a visit. They really do the stuff as fast in concert if not faster. You will quickly be taken by their presence and foreboding power. Enjoy, if you dare.
Track Listing:
1. Sculpting The Throne Ov Seth
2. Demigod
3. Conquer All
4. The Nephilim Rising
5. Towards Babylon
6. Before Aeons Came
7. Mysterium Coniunctionis (Hermanubis)
8. XUL
9. Slaves Shall Serve
10. The Reign ov Shemsu-Hor
Official Website: www.Behemoth.pl
Editor’s Note: This article was written for another medium prior to the 2005 launch of PiercingMetal.com and has been added to our content for your enjoyment.