Behemoth Album: “Satanica”

Absolutely stunning death/black metal album. The first track I heard from Satanica was Decade of Oepion, and I'll be damned, I was literally blown away. This cd is by the finest Polish Death/Black metal band, and without a doubt one of the best in the scene. Satanica is absolutely amazing. Bordering between death and black, from the evil guttural blackish vocals to the absolutely astonishing drumming, this is bass heavy (first indication to a more death metal inclination), and with guitar riffs/solos, this is destined to become a classic in the genre. I mean it, this is some serious stuff folks, dont pass by on it if you're into this kind of music. This is some of the finest there is. Also check out Thelema.6 by Behemoth, it's in the same vein, evil evil music. God I love it!

After hearing the second song on this album "LAM" on a sampler of the cult German Ablaze magazine years ago, I felt I needed to have this album. Behemoth is one of those bands that combine brutal agression with great melodies, and "Satanica" is their first great effort of combining death metal with a pinch of black metal (actually, their previous album "Pandemonic Incantations" marked their first steps away from being a pure black metal band, but that album was just good, not a must-have).

Nergal, Behemoth's band leader, has in him the skills to write great riffs. I think some people will need to get used to his vocals, as they are in between the typical death metal and black metal style. Just like the music is, actually.

It's hard to tell which bands Behemoth is similar to, they are quite original, as much as a band can be nowadays that is. Even so, it will not sound as a surprise that Behemoth hails from Poland, just like Vader and Decapitated.

If you like their latter albums like "Thelema 6.0" and "Zos Kia Cultus" there is NO way you will dislike this album, even though the newer albums are a bit more technical than "Satanica" is.

If you don't know Behemoth yet, expect great, brutal death metal with a black metal edge (maybe just like Immortal, although this last band was a bit more catchy), with superb riffing, uncompromising drumming and texts influenced by Sumerian mythology, Lavey, etc.

THIS IS DEFINITELY A BAND TO DISCOVER!!!

After being let down with behemoths recent album "Demigod", I figured there had to be more to this band than just the sound that I heard from Demigod. And I was right, Satanica is a vicious album from start to finish.

I enjoyed Nergal's unpolished vocals ten times more then the lack-luster enhanced vocals found on Demigod. They sound much more angry, and passionate in the sense that it seems like nergal is giving it his all throughout the record. There is also a stronger sent of behemoths black metal past on Satanica, Don't get me wrong Satanica is still death metal to the bone, its just the riffs sound more black then those found on Demigod. Or maybe its just the lower production value...

This is what Death metal should be, stuff that requires all your willpower just to prevent you jumping up and headbanging all over the place. In other words its very engaging music that will give you that great metal rush that makes you feel like going nuts. It has alot of power to it most of which comes from Inferno's killer drumming and Nergal's colossal riffs and solo's. I can honestly recomend "Satanica" to anyone who is into death metal. Actually, out of all of Behemoth's (death metal) albums this may be my favorite. Although I have yet to hear "Zos Kia Cultus".

Standout tracks are:

.: Decade of therion :. This is one of behemoth's best songs ever in my book. listen to it and know its glory!

.: Ceremony Of Shiva :. Great drum beats on this track, very original sounding track.

.: Of Sephirotic Transformation And Carnality :. An annoying name but amazing song. It never lets up just like Decade of therion.

.: Chant For Eschaton 2000 :. This is a pretty strange track with main lyrics sung in a chant followed by power metal esque vocals ( 0_0 ! ) it had me grin when I first heard it. Its a catchy track although you will have no idea what Nergal is saying until you look at the lyrics sheet. It also ends the album very triumphantly with brass horns blazing through your speakers.

Simply put one of the best albums I have heard. Released in 1999, it finally sees a state-side release. Fans of black and death will like this album. BEHEMOTH has created a violent mix of both death and black meatl. From the opening pounding of Decade of Therion to the closing Chant of Eschaton, this is just a relentless album. The guitars are fast and shredding, while the vokalist Nergal sounds possessed and the drumming is hyper. If you get a chance to listen to this do so you will not be disappointed. Oh and the new one Thelma.6 is equally impressive.

i really like the sound on this album, as compared to some of their newer stuff. yeah it doesn't sound as polished, but that helps make it good. i can hear plenty of emotion in the vocals and i just love the feel of the music. each track has a variety of sounds and makes the whole thing very interesting to listen to.

i'm listening to it more and more these days, it's really growing on me.