For those who missed the first date, The Metalist have decided to change things up a little bit and instead of having the usual tedium of Album of the Year lists, decided to go for a Christmas themed advent calendar. Continuing on from our opening of the first advent yesterday is arguably one of the strongest releases in the band’s monolithic history. With absolute certainty in the year, after gearing everything up for the album’s release around this time last year Behemoth dusted off their metaphorical jackets and unleashed The Satanist.
Behemoth – The Satanist
Quite no one would have predicted that Behemoth would be releasing a record like The Satanist. Changing style from their blackened death metal exhibition of Evangelion the band concocted a far darker sounding album. Blast beats abound, throughout the nine track album the record is a front to back listen. Although not specifically stated, there is a theme within the album. One of triumph over adversity and more importantly re affirmation. After having to go through the ordeal with Nergal being diagnosed with Leukemia the band returned with an album that reaffirmed their identity, Nergal himself specifically.
Personnifying The Satanist, the album is about knowing who you are yourself a cathartic experience borne from Nergal’s ordeal with cancer, sure to have created an epiphany within himself. Knowing the background behind the album is very much the key to The Satanist’s pertinence. Having returned with a new sound so late in their career was a serious risk as well, changing his vocal style and leading with the solemn single “Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel” gave fans little idea of what to expect. Organic sounding guitars with an almost hard rock feel particularly on the third track “Messe Noir” but the real jewel(s) in the crown came from both title track “The Satanist” and glorious “O Father, O Satan, O Sun“. Creating a build up of anticipation reaching fever pitch and a welcome break to some of the more unrelenting tracks on the album.
Daring, experimental and most importantly what Behemoth have always threatened to become, The Satanist is a crippling statement of intent. Coccooned in darkness beginning with ominous tones begin its sublime transformation into the apex of sorrowful beauty that is the albums grand finale. An absolute masterpiece.
If Satan is what you’re after then click here to pick up this phenomenal record.
