Artist: Behemoth
Title: “Live Eschaton: The Art Of Rebellion” – Deluxe Edition
Label: Metal Mind Productions
Release Date: 4/19/2009
Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Rating: 4/5
Even though the band had been around for a good decade before I ever was able to see them, I was instantly made a fan when the band performed in NYC as opener for Suffocation back in 2004. I’m not the only one that had been affected by the bands powerful music and presentation based on its overall intensity. One of the releases I looked into some time later after this show was the 2002 DVD release of “Live Eschaton – The Art Of Rebellion” which captured the band in concert in their native Poland. We reviewed this DVD and are representing our thoughts for you below from the original version and then we shall examine the new deluxe edition afterwards.
“If you are a follower of the goings on in the Death Metal genre then it is quite possible that you are already aware of the appeal and impact that the mighty Behemoth has had on it. The band is a touring machine that continually appeared as the support for such notable bands as King Diamond, Suffocation and most recently Morbid Angel. Those who attended any of the shows referenced know how powerful Behemoth is on stage and how they make the audience their own no matter who is headlining that night. This DVD filmed in 2000 in front of a studio audience in Krakow Poland is the perfect introduction for anyone who is choosing to brave the world of Behemoth, it is a journey worth taking if you like your Metal on the extreme side. The concert footage for me as a recent fan serves good as an origin point on the band for in 2005-2006 when I began to see them often it is a far more powerful presence and lineup than is depicted on the video. Front man Nergal is the mastermind of the group while Inferno provides levels of destruction that no drum kit should be subject too very often. Guitar is handled by Havoc and bass by Novy (the line up of 2006 finds Seth and the giant Orion on guitar and bass respectively). The ten performance pieces are good and you will recognize some songs from the recent shows if it has been your only exposure to the group. The spoken language is Polish as the band performs before a home audience masked in their signature corpse-paint. It is a crystal clear production and has a great sound but the audience seems a little bit dead. Perhaps it is because they were mesmerized or perhaps they were restricted from moving about, I only know the Behemoth show I attended found me fielding bodies from every direction I looked. Behemoth has been around for almost 15 years by my estimation and each time I see them show a higher amount of dominance over the Metal scene. It is time for you to join the ranks of those who fall under their watch. After you watch this DVD be sure to get a copy of “Demigod”, the CD is a Death Metal masterpiece and will leave you begging for more.”
Bonus Features: A healthy amount of features makes up this DVD release and here is the rundown for information hungry readers. Two rare videos (Decade Of Therion & Chant For Eschaton 2000; Six rare audio tracks (Cursed Angel Of Doom, The Dark Triumph, Forgotten Empire Of Dark Witchcraft, Forgotten Cult Of Aldaron, Dragon’s Lair, With Spell Of Inferno); Discography; Biography and a full-length interview with leader Nergal. That’s the only downside; the interview is in Polish so call a friend who can translate for you since there are no subtitles to read along with.
The Deluxe Edition is the exact same thing as the standard edition with the inclusion of a live CD audio of the concert portion of the DVD. That alone makes this release worth looking into should you not already own a copy of it. Its great to hear Behemoth live in their earlier days and now with the chance to load this material onto your music player with everything else that came out after it, one is sure to become an educated pupil in the bands sinister teachings. It’s packaged in a slim cardboard digipak for the deluxe edition while the original was in the plastic clamshell but the small booklet it exactly the same. If you already own the older version of this then I suggest that you upgrade to this one and make a present of this one to a worthy ally in Metal or put it up for sale to make back part of your investment. There is no need to own two of them after all. Behemoth has continued to grow in power and scope and in overall musical ability. Watch for greater things from them in 2009.
Track Listing:
1. Decade Of Oepion
2. LAM
3. Satan’s Sword
4. From The Pagan Vastlands
5. Driven By The Five Winged Star
6. The Entrance To The Spheres Of Mars
7. Starspawn
8. Carnage
9. Chant For Eschaton 2000
10. Pure Evil & Hate
Official Website: http://www.behemoth.pl