|
|
|
|
Behemoth - The Apostasy
|
Poland’s overlords of blackened death metal
have returned. With each and every album it seems that Behemoth grows
bigger and bigger, mirroring their name in some ways, though the name
itself is a reflection of Biblical demons. The Apostasy follows up their
highly successful Demigod release of 2004 and the wait has been well
worth every moment.
The band starts out by hitting the listener with a moderately paced,
short instrumental "Rome 64 C.E.", a track which really is a sign of
what’s to come complete with female chants, and the track flows nicely
into the intense "Slaying the Prophets ov Isa". This is the Behemoth
that any fan knows, and Nergal’s vocals haven’t changed in the
slightest, though The Apostasy doesn’t rely on overlapped vocals nearly
as much, taking the band back to an earlier sound in may ways found on
releases like Thelma 6 and Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond). More chants
are layered into the song, and these are found on a number of tracks as
well as instrumentation such as trumpets and French horns, giving
Behemoth a more orchestral sound at times, but one that definitely
doesn’t compromise the intensity that their long time fans already know
and love.
"At the Left Hand ov God" in some ways is like the Behemoth heard on
Demigod complete with an acoustic intro before giving way to some
fantastic guitar riffs couple by Inferno’s amazing drum which has really
become one the driving forces behind Behemoth. "Kriegsphilosophie" in my
opinion is one of the single best tracks on the release and definitely
exemplifies why I have become such a fans of the band. The quick paced
drums and guitar that begin and continue the song hit you upside the
head as the song begins and this is one of the perfect examples of
Behemoth’s unrelenting and brutal style. "Be Without Fear" is another
song that would be classic Behemoth, and the melodies mixed into the
track are fantastic. Nergal’s vocals and singing patterns really add to
the song a great deal as well making this a track that isn’t to be
passed by while listening to the disc.
"Arcana Hereticae" is yet another song that really reminds one of
Demigod, complete with more fantastic drum work, and guitar riffs that
really are reminiscing of what was found on the previous release. "Christgrinding
Avenue" was the teaser released for the CD and once again is a brillaint
track, much like just about everything that you’ll find on The Apostasy,
in fact the only tr5ack I don’t care much for is "Inner Sanctum", a
rather slow song that includes piano and some actually sang, not growled
or screamed, lyrics.
Behemoth’s lyrics stick true to what the band has always presented.
Ancient gods and religions, demonic and dark entities, anti-Christianity
and religion and general are all the subject of focus. Listening to the
lyrics is almost like reading the chants of the ancient religions that
have been long forgotten by all but a few.
The Apostasy is a brilliant follow-up to Demigod, and while there is
still the opinion from some that the band has turned its back on their
black metal roots, I’ve never felt that to be the case at all. If
nothing else, Behemoth has taken their brand of black metal in a
different direction and as they have proved in albums past, the marriage
of death metal and black metal is a glorious and unholy union that makes
from some great listening. Behold the might of Behemoth and back in the
beauty of The Apostasy. -mike-
|
Lineup:
Adam "Nergal" Darski - lead vocals, electric and acoustic
guitars, synthesizer, programming
Tomasz "Orion" Wróblewski - bass guitar, backing vocals
Zbigniew Robert "Inferno" Promiński - drums and percussion
Patryk "Seth" Sztyber - guitars, backing vocals
Leszek Możdżer - piano on "Inner Sanctum"
Warrel Dane - guest vocals on "Inner Sanctum"
|
Track Listing:
01 - Rome 64 C.E.
02 - Slaying the Prophets ov Isa
03 - Prometherion
04 - At the Left Hand ov God
05 - Kriegsphilosophie
06 - Be Without Fear
07 - Arcana Hereticae
08 - Libertheme
09 - Inner Sanctum
10 - Pazuzu
11 - Christgrinding Avenue
Total Playing Time:
39:52
|
|
|
