Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
Death Metal. Black Metal. Dark Metal. What knows what who is? Actually, probs some of you readers could recite the difference verbatim. But, as a fan of ‘heavy music’, I can easily get lost in the labels. I just like to listen and decide whether I like what I hear. And Behemoth, having been around since the early 90’s in one form or other, have taken the stages by storm all over the world. The death metal (if that’s correct) sound, combined with their intriguing stage shows, creates a pretty compelling package.
Think carcass, but instead of Bill Steer’s flared slacks and more heritage approach, add what you’d expect from the sound. Darkness, make up, crimson stage light, guitars that could double up as pointed weapons, and of course, Christ himself hanging upside down from the cross. Maybe this is how Behemoth have made a niche sound, pretty mainstream amongst the rock world (check out their Hellfest video from 2026).
And this week, I get to hear the Polish crew’s latest works, ‘I, Scvlptor’. An 8-track monstrous album of thrash, darkness, death and double kick drums. Let’s get it on and give it a swirl.
So with Track 1, ‘I, Sculptor’, you’re getting over 4 minutes of steady, heavy snare, interrupted with fast riffs, throat, and thunderous bass. Whilst death metal, as with all metal music really, it’s a theatrical show of fire and ice. And yet, with Behemoth, I can’t quite decide whether there’s something more to it. And that edge slightly scares me, even listening with the lights on.
‘Lord ov the Horizons’ is another somewhere between 4 and 5 minutes and evil. Distilled into a song. Down-tuned guitars is obviously par for the course. And what starts as accomplished vocal, soon turns into the devil’s voice, again, putting me on edge whilst I drink my morning tea.
‘Rise of the Blackstorm of Evil’ is track 3. Says it all really. The track title is almost describing the song, intentionally or otherwise. The track brews, like a storm out at sea, drifting closer, louder. Until, once you’re in the eye of the storm, the lighting, wind, and thunder fix you. Fascinated and on edge in equal measure. That’s quite a talent, if music can do that to you.
‘In Thy Pandemaeternum’, followed by ‘Begotten’, work well, as if it’s almost storey telling; a thread throughout the album. Even without catching all the lyrics, the album plays more like a soundtrack, or a theatrical show, compared to the more mainstream approach of rock music.
‘In League With Satan’ is a belter of track, and oddly, less harrowing than some of the albums prior tracks. Equally as dark, pointed and as anxiety inducing, the chorus, is a, well, chorus, ‘Evil… In League With Satan!!’ as the crowd will no doubt be chanting at next year’s summer festivals.
The final 2 tracks of album are fast approaching; we’re treated to a rare live recording of ‘The Return of Darkness and Evil’. It’s a powerful induction to the band if you’ve not heard or experienced them live. I recommend you give this track a whirl if you’re intrigued by the noise.
With the final track being a rough studio recording of the previously heard ‘Lord ov The Horizons’, it’s a window into what some would call ‘rough’, some would call perfection. It sounds just as fresh and impactful as the official track recording earlier on the album.
Being treated to Behemoths latest record, is like watching a horror film, in the dark, by yourself. Twice. At the time, you ask yourself why you’re doing it. The anguish, the perch on the edge of your seat, or the equally unnerving hiding behind the cushion during the violence. And yet, now it’s over, I could quite easily listen to it again.
And that’s the sign of good quality work. Poland’s death metal finest should be proud that they make music that is so uncomfortable to listen to, you’d do it again.
Listen to “I, Scvlptor” digitally via Nuclear Blast: https://behemoth.bfan.link/i-scvlptor
Pre-orders:
Massacre Records: www.iscvlptor.com
Behemoth Webstore: https://behemoth-store.com/en-ea/collections/i-scvlptor
BEHEMOTH are:
Nergal – Lead Vocals, Guitars
Inferno – Drums, Percussion
Orion – Bass, Backing Vocals
Seth – Guitar, Backing Vocals
BEHEMOTH online:
http://www.behemoth.pl
http://www.facebook.com/behemoth
http://instagram.com/behemothofficial
https://twitter.com/behemothband
