BEHEMOTH : EVANGELION
Nuclear Blast
Poland. Or more formally known as the home country of Behemoth. If any bands of the newly acclaimed black/death metal genre were to combine intense, jaw-shattering speed and an architecture of historic, avant-garde inspired melodies, such as influence from traditional arabic, and dare I say Egyptian periods, then Behemoth would have scratched their signature into this unique surface years ago. And quite rightly so; “Pandaemonic Incantations”, was almost like carving upon the tapestry of the European black Metal scene, taking the black metal sound further by incorporating traits of styles and conventions, very similar to the so-called death metal style.
I admit it pains me slightly labelling bands, especially a band such as Behemoth – the band certainly possesses a significance above most other acts: Behemoth have the ability to create such a vast atmosphere within their music, keeping the flame of thelemic themes and rebellion alive within each individual track. The release of “Demigod” in 2004 proved that Behemoth were not at all afraid of experimenting with a variety of speeds and melodies, and the release of “The Apostasy” in 2007 proved them entirely capable of taking speed and melodies to the most highest of levels, and all at a more raw, minimalist level of studio production. “Evangelion”, however, prioritises a slightly more ‘traditional’ level of black metal sound. If there is a ‘traditional’ black metal sound at all, Behemoth have still managed to deliver this 110% and portrayed it perfectly through their signature style of blistering speeds and technical guitar structures. For example, 6-string guitar chords are more frequent upon “Evangelion”; these chords in particular are common within the black metal genre. Production-wise, “Evangelion” has been what some can describe as ‘polished’. I merely interpret this as defining and extinguishing every sound to be perfect and heard to its greatest potential.
For the speed-junkies, “Defiling Black Morality Ov God” is the track you have been waiting for; certainly the most prominent and fastest track of the album. Expect the occasional chill descending down your spine in “He Who Breeds Pestilence”, highlighting a beautiful, atmospheric introduction to the track with a chorus of crows perched festering upon the dead branch, before abruptly bursting into a wall of Nergal’s aggressive vocals and theatrical orchestrations. “Shemhamforash”, Hebrew for the 216-letter phrase for God from the Book of Exodus, is certainly the epitaph of the entire album – a blasphemic adventure capable of grinding the bones of any ‘hardcore’ metal fan; impressive guitar solos, the most intense blastbeats performed by probably one of the best drummers in the black metal scene, Inferno, making this one of the best blastbeat albums known to man.
Overall, Behemoth have clearly been working extremely hard, yet letting their art evolve naturally over time, and what a better time to have evolve upon the behemoth that is “Evangelion”. This is certainly a treat to all of the Behemoth fans of any preferred period, and most definitely their finest work yet. I have tried, but I just simply cannot fault this art sculpture in anyway. I’m off back to hibernation now. See you in a month…
97/100
SAGE CHARLES
