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More
atmospheric and heavier
in
some way or another. Amazing.
Behemoth
is probably one of the most successful Black-metal bands alongside
Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir and Satyricon. Surely for good reason.
With no bends about changing, evolving and no fear of experimentation
these traits most definitely have been responsible for the groups
longevity . Most Black/Death metal purists would argue that this is the
farthest thing from a desirable attribute of a good band. For some this
could be the case and others not . Behemoth clearly falls into the
latter category. With their new album, "The Apostasy", having
been released in Europe already on the 2nd of July and due out in North
America on the 17Th, Polish Behemoth again prove that they a perfectly
capable of maturing and progressing without losing their edge.
The word "Apostasy" means "abandonment
of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a
cause". Front-man Nergal is obviously no stranger to major
life altering changes. After being born and raised catholic and officially
being baptized into the church at an early childhood, He plans
to go through with his official apostasy sometime this year. Obviously
marking this occasion with the title of his new album, they seem to have
come back with renewed vigor and their philosophies more deeply
rooted then before and they unmistakably wishes to make this statement
louder and more clear with more brutal and extreme approaches to their
art with increased songmanship.
This albums production is clearly the best Behemoth
has ever done. With all instruments audible on an even plane and each
easily heard as the other with none drowning the other out (seriously ,
you can hear every single note played on the guitar , every single
cymbal and drum head struck , crystal clear!). Behemoth in
the past has used extra instrumentation but this new album features live
vocal choirs and horn sections. Including guest appearances from
the likes of Warrel Dane from Nevermore or even Leszek Możdżer,
a famous pianist from Poland, whom appears on the track "Inner
Sanctum". This album is very "organic" as Nergal said in
the recent interview with Gryphonmetal. They no longer used
as much synths ( if any at all) or sound samples as with
previous records. Everything is "real". Some may think that by
adding such ingredients to their already successful musical mixture they
may water down the brutality of the music. This is hardly the case. Though
this album is more atmospheric than other releases, this album
seems heavier in some way or another. By adding choirs and horns
they have cast a sort of epic feel to the piece. For example , on the
first track "Slaying the Prophets ov Isa" , just
as the songs is closing Nergal sings the final verse in sync with the
choir. That coupled with his classic roar to me is just downright brutal
and powerful sounding! Though, as i said before, "The Apostasy"
is more atmospheric, of course the album is a little bit more mid-tempo
than Demigod or other releases. Don't let this statement make
you think it doesn't have it's fair share of blasbeats. The track
"Kriegsphilosophie" starts out with a crushing
blastbeat and thrashy guitar opeing riff. A handful of tracks also
feature siren like female vocals . Their are most prominent on the
opening track "Rome 64 C.E" . They are spread here and
there through the rest of the album.
Overall
this album, simply put, is amazing. I'm sure it would make great
addition to anyone's CD collection. Behemoth has done a grand
job indeed!
rating: 9/10
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Behemoth: "The
Apostasy"