Behemoth
Since 1991, Behemoth has stood as one of extreme metal's most important and controversial forces, transforming from Polish black metal upstarts into globally recognized blackened death metal titans. Founded in Gdańsk by the visionary Adam "Nergal" Darski, Behemoth began as a raw black metal project influenced by Norwegian pioneers and early extreme metal legends like Venom and Bathory. Over three decades, the band has evolved into something far more sophisticated and devastating, blending the atmospheric darkness of black metal with the technical brutality of death metal, all while maintaining a provocative anti-religious stance that has made them both revered and reviled.
The band's journey from underground black metal demos like Endless Damnation and The Return of the Northern Moon to internationally acclaimed albums represents one of extreme metal's most remarkable evolutionary stories. Albums like Satanica (1999), Demigod (2004), and Evangelion (2009) established Behemoth as masters of their craft, but it was 2014's The Satanist that truly cemented their legacy. Written during and after Nergal's battle with leukemia and his legal troubles with the Polish government over blasphemy charges, The Satanist became widely regarded as the extreme metal album of the decade. Behemoth's latest offering, The Shit of God, is an audacious plunge into the depths of black metal's ferocity - a masterful blend of relentless rhythms and atmospheric melodies that pushes the boundaries of the genre to new extremes. Each track channels raw energy and dark mysticism, exploring themes of rebellion and spiritual turmoil through their signature blend of aggressive guitar riffs and haunting vocal prowess.
With the rock-solid lineup of Nergal (vocals/guitar), Inferno (drums), Orion (bass), and Seth (guitar) that has remained stable for over two decades, Behemoth continues to push boundaries and challenge conventions. Their theatrical live performances, featuring elaborate stage productions and Nergal's commanding presence, have made them one of extreme metal's premier live acts, while their uncompromising stance on artistic freedom and anti-authoritarianism has solidified their position as both musical innovators and cultural provocateurs. The Shit of God cements their position as pioneers in the metal world, delivering a sonic assault that is both unyielding and thought-provoking, with production quality that ensures every note and lyric resonates with devastating power.
Discography
Studio Albums:
1995 - Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic) (Entropy Records)
1996 - Grom (Solistitium Records)
1998 - Pandemonic Incantations (Solistitium Records)
1999 - Satanica (Avantgarde Music)
2000 - Thelema.6 (Avantgarde Music)
2002 - Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond) (Avantgarde Music)
2004 - Demigod (Regain Records)
2007 - The Apostasy (Regain Records)
2009 - Evangelion (Nuclear Blast)
2014 - The Satanist (Nuclear Blast)
2018 - I Loved You at Your Darkest (Nuclear Blast)
2022 - Opvs Contra Natvram (Nuclear Blast)
2025 - The Shit of God (Nuclear Blast)
Essential EPs:
1994 - And the Forests Dream Eternally (Entropy Records)
2013 - Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel (Nuclear Blast)