Behemoth Album: “Demonica”

This two disk set is actually a great show piece and collectors item for any fan of Behemoth or early Black Metal. In the start of Behemoth's career they started out as a Black Metal band. The works today of course are hard to find. Thanks to this box set, their legendary ...From the Pagan Vastlands album and a few others have been re-released along with never before released tracks.

The sound quality of the music is typical Black metal fair with a low budget sound...yet raw and heavy production value. In fact, this collection displays Behemoth's better work...aeons before they changed into a death metal band. If you can find a copy of this limited edition collection and are a fan of Behemoth or early Black Metal, please...do not take a chance, go out and BUY it. You will not be dissapointed, especially actually having a collection of their early work.

Great boxset of one of Black Metal's best bands. A truly wonderful collection of songs, great sound quality and just worth every penny for any Behemoth fan.

If you're a Behemoth fan, you know that they morphed from a raw black metal band into a polished black metal band and then into a sick death metal incarnation. What we have here is a collection of Polands best playing early, very-DIY sounding musick that's a treat for all fans of early Emperor, Hellhammer, Mayhem, Beherit and Enslaved (to name but a few). Demonica is a collection of hard to find stuff and it's all fairly rough but well done considering they likely had no budget and were teenagers in the early 90s.

Included amidst the maelstrom are two new re-recordings of old Behemoth tracks done by the present DM incarnation. These tracks are great but are somewhat OTT next to the low budget gems on the rest of the two CDs. Overall though, this is a box full of stellad dark gems that all fans of necro black metal need.

First, I bought this collection about two years ago. I just happened to see there wasn't a review for it. So I figured I'd fill you in.

Demonica is a 2 disc collection basically made up of demo tapes. The two discs are housed in a slip-cover and a book, which includes lyrics and photos of the band. Disc 1: Tracks 1-8 appeared on "The Return of The Northern Moon" demo tape in '92. Tracks 9-10 are from the "Sventevith (Storming Near The Baltic)" studio sessions. Track 11 is a re-recording of "Transylvanian Forest" which appeared on "And The Forests Dream Eternally" in '94 Disc 2: Tracks 1-7 appeared on "From The Pagan Vastlands" demo tape in '93. Tracks 8-11 are from the pre production tape for "From The Pagan Vastlands" Track 12 is a re-recorded version of "Spellcraft & Heathendom"

Now that you know what we're looking at here, my review. If you're a fan of 90's Black Metal, or even just early Behemoth, I think you'll be pleased with Demonica. Although the collection is remastered it still sounds raw. The type of raw sound you'd expect from early Black Metal. Closing off each disc with a re-recorded track kind of breaks the flow of things though.

If you're only a fan of newer Behemoth, you might not like this collection too much. There's not nearly as much variance in the music as in say: Demigod, or Thelema 6. Also, the production can't even come close. You have to keep in mind these are demo tapes. But this is a good way for you to see the roots of Behemoth, to see where they came from. This is the seed from which they grew.

Bottom Line: Important for the Behemoth fanatic, even if they just listen to the new stuff. But the ones who will appreciate this most, are fans of 90's Black Metal, and Behemoth Fans who can't get enough of "Grom" or "From The Pagan Vastlands"