Now speaking Nergal, the leader and mastermind, about the tittle of Behemoth’s newest album “The S**t ov God”:
“We chose this provocative title deliberately, rejecting subtlety in favor of a direct and polarizing statement. It’s a defiant plunge into the depths, daring to seek the absolute even in the gutter.“
Well, the ones who know the band and its leader Nergal will not be surprised in any way with his words. No surprise at all. I would be surprised if it were the other way around. After all, he has always been this provacative, and let’s face it, straight-forward person. So have Behemoth, and, therefore, so has Black Metal. As a pilar of Black Metal community – coming to think of it, it’s so funny to say this about a Black Metal band -, Behemoth have been doing their best to honor this fact.
Regarding the music, “The S**t ov God” is also as straight ahead and virulent as it can be. By album welcomer “The Shadow Elite” my dear child of the night might realize the band keeps their virulent music not following modern trends as being atmospherical or melodic. On the contrary, the album is what is as raw as possible considering the musicians experience and dextery. There are moments of pure dark poetry as “Nomen Barbarvm” with its religious inspired intro that soon is replaced by a virulent musical mayhem with sharp and efficient guitar riffs. By the way, I have to take a bow to Inferno’s drumming. The dude plays his kit as if there were no future for humankind – well, as a matter of fact, I believe there is not. Following track, “O Venvs, Come!” is a bit more cadenced and melodic having drummer Inferno taking the lead with fantastic interventions. With “Avgvr (The Dread Vvltvre)” the band adds some etheric elements that give the song some kind of space terror mood that are enlarged by the acoustic guitars here and there.
From where I am standing, my dear child of the night might realize how different “The S**t ov God” is from the beginning with album warmer “The Shadow Elite” whose constant tempo and cadence shifts astonish the fan. It is not only the speed, but the complexity of the drumming contrasting with the simplicity of the guitars. Make no mistake, the guitars here are simple, but very effective meaning the quantity of notes does not mean quality. The gluey chorus is also a highlight and very welcomed. The same astonishing effect has the constant drumming fillings of “Sowing Salt.” However, I guess tittle track “The S**t ov God” is the one that best represents the album with its moody eerie chants and the guitar strummings that give the songs a mysterious sonancy. It is really the track that outstands at the album.
With their thirty-four year career Behemoth teach a class here to newbies showing them the way Black Metal has to be. The masters of darkness are still in real good shape.
Behemoth “The S**t ov God” was released on May 09th via Nuclear Blast Records.
Track Listing:
1. The Shadow Elite
2. Sowing Salt
4. Lvciferaeon
5. To Drown The Svn In Wine
6. Nomen Barbarvm
7. O Venvs, Come!
8. Avgvr (The Dread Vvltvre)
Watch “The S**t ov God” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!