BEHEMOTH — The Satanist (review)

BEHEMOTH — The Satanist album cover Album · 2014 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
UMUR
"The Satanist" is the 10th full-length studio album by Polish death metal act Behemoth. The album was released through Nuclear Blast Records in February 2014. It´s been a few years since the release of "Evangelion (2009)" (the longest recording break between studio albums in the band´s career up until then), but the recording break has been due to frontman/guitarist Nergal´s leukemia diagnose, subsequent treatment of the disease, and a longer recovery period. Nergal´s strong will and determination made him soldier on and even tour during his recovery period, even though he has stated in interviews, that some periods and shows were hard to get through. It´s a perfect example of the kind of character Nergal is though. A man with a burning passion for his music, determined to bring that music to his fans, even during a period in his life, where he wasn´t at his strongest.

While a life threatening desease will probably leave most people paralyzed with fear and not able to focus on work, the experience seems to have fueled Nergal´s songwriting batteries, because "The Satanist" is among the most varied and strongest albums in Behemoth´s discography. Like the case is with most of the band´s output, "The Satanist" requires a couple of spins to sink in and upon repeated listens a wealth of details unfold. While the music on the album is still at it´s core technically well played death metal, there are so many layers of cleverly composed choirs and keyboards incorporated to that core death metal style, that "The Satanist" ultimately comes off as quite the adventurous and challenging death metal album. The two tracks that bookend the album are some of the best examples of how much Behemoth have developed their style and how well they incorporate symphonic elements, dark atmospheres, variation and brutality into one powerful package. "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel" is a strong and varied album opener, while "O Father O Satan O Sun!" is among the most epic sounding tracks yet released by Behemoth. During the album we´re also presented with more aggressive and brutal death metal tracks, so "The Satanist" really is a varied death metal release. The tempos vary from heavy mid-paced grooves to blast beats and occasionally slower epic styled paces.

The sound production is slightly less polished than the case have been on the two direct predecessors, but it´s still in the more clear end of the sound production scale. It´s overall a very detailed, powerful and well sounding production, which suits the music well. The band are as always technically well playing with Nergal´s commanding growls in front. It´s the high quality of the songwriting that´s the real asset here though and what sets "The Satanist" apart from other less memorable releases by Behemoth. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.
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Primeval Scum wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I agree with most of your assessment. It's my favorite metal album of the year so far. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer is a killer track.
bartosso wrote:
more than 2 years ago
nice review, good work by behemoth and kudos to Nergal.

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