Behemoth (band)

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Behemoth

Behemoth is a Polish blackened death metal band from Gdańsk, formed in 1991. They are considered to have played an important role in establishing the Polish extreme metal underground[1][2], alongside bands such as Vader, Decapitated, Vesania and Hate.

Until the late 1990s, the band played a traditional black metal style with heathen lyrical content, but soon changed to that of occult and thelemic themes written by their lead vocalist Nergal and Krzysztof Azarewicz. With the 1999 release of Satanica, the band showed their presence in the blackened death metal scene, while retaining their own signature style characterized by the drum work of Inferno, multi-layered vocals and Nile-style Middle-Eastern influences. Even though Behemoth has been labeled as death metal, black metal or thrash influenced, Nergal has mentioned that he does not like the band to be labeled.[3][4]

History

Behemoth was formed in 1991 as a trio, with Nergal on guitar and vocals, Baal on the drums, and Desecrator on the guitar. They started with the demos Endless Damnation, and The Return of the Northern Moon[5]. The most significant however, was the third demo—...From the Pagan Vastlands (1993). This tape was released by Polish label Pagan Records and later on by the American Wild Rags. Their next release was Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic) in 1995. A year later, they recorded their second album Grom, which was released in 1996. Grom features many different influences and musical styles, using female vocals as well as acoustic guitars and synthesizers. At the same time, Behemoth finally got a chance to play live shows in its native country and finally tour around Europe, gaining stage experience. Two years later, the band recorded a third album, titled Pandemonic Incantations. The cumilation of their increasing presence and metal media set a new standard for them.[6] However, due to a lack of promotion, the album was not well-publicized. After another extensive tour, Behemoth signed a two-album deal with Italy's Avantgarde Music in the fall of 1998. The first result of this new collaboration was the successful[7] album Satanica, on which the black metal sound had evolved into blackened death metal.

The label also secured two European tours for the band in support of Deicide and Satyricon respectively. During that period, Behemoth had to go through some line-up changes and had problems with their ex-Polish label. The new members then were Novy (formerly known from Devilyn, now in Vader, Dies Irae), who handled the bass duties, and Havok, who became the band's guitarist. After the line-up changes Behemoth signed with the Polish label Mystic. The follow-up release to Satanica was Thelema.6. Massive guitar parts and precise drumming, with influences from different sources, saw them progress further towards[8][9] blackened death metal.

Thelema.6 was supported by the worldwide press and media[10], including official releases in Russia and Brazil for the first time. Continuing the support for Thelema.6, Behemoth appeared in several prestigious live events like Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Inferno Metal Festival, Mystic Festival, and Mind Over Matter Autumn. They started first their headlining tour alongside with Carpathian Forest and Khold, followed by a festival tour in Poland (Thrash em All Fest. with Vader and Krisiun, among others).

In 2001, Behemoth focused on writing new material for a sixth studio album. Meantime, they completed their second headlining tour in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Having completed the recording of their new songs, Behemoth entered Hendrix Studio for the second time, with help of their friend and sound engineer Arkadiusz Malczewski, and produced Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond).

Behemoth at Jaxx Nightclub in 2007.

In February 2003, the band started their first tour in Norway, playing in cities such as Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger. On March 11, 2003, the American premiere, scheduled by Century Media Records, headlined Behemoth's first appearance in the American continent. The tour started on the 9th of March at the New Jersey's Metalfest and continued with a decent amount[11] of shows across America and Canada, with the company of Deicide, Revenge, Vehemence and Amon Amarth. Shortly after doing their first US tour the band was invited to join the Blackest of the Black Tour by Glenn Danzig. The already legendary festival included acts like Danzig, Superjoint Ritual, Nile, and Opeth. In the fall of 2003, Behemoth flew over to US to complete their third tour with Six Feet Under, Skinless and Black Dahlia Murder. The band then played at the Tuska Festival in Finland with Ministry, Soulfly, among others. At that time, due to some line up difficulties, Nergal parted his ways with Havok and Novy, who decided to focus on activities with their own bands. Eventually, the band resumed touring in the UK and Europe.

In 2004, their seventh studio album, Demigod was released to good critical response. Recorded at the Hendrix Studios, the album debuted at number 15 on the national Polish album charts. Music videos for the songs "Conquer All" and "Slaves Shall Serve" were also shot. In fall 2005 the band headlined the Demigod supremacy Canadian tour 2005 with Necronomicon.

In 2007, the band toured Europe alongside Napalm Death, Moonspell and Dew-Scented. Behemoth released their eighth studio album The Apostasy in July of that year. It was recorded at Radio Gdańsk studio in December, 2006. Shortly after the release of The Apostasy, the band was featured as one of Ozzfest 2007's second stage headliners, one of the four non-US bands playing that year.[12] In October/November 2007, they played their first US headlining tour alongside Job for a Cowboy, Gojira, and Beneath the Massacre.[13] In October/November 2007 the band toured Europe alongside Canadian death metal combo Kataklysm and Belgium's Aborted.

Live at 2008's Hole in the Sky.

In February 2008 Behemoth toured Europe headlining over Suicide Silence. In April/May 2008 the band toured North America as part of "The Invaluable Darkness" tour with Keep of Kalessin and headliner Dimmu Borgir. Behemoth spent the summer playing a number of prominent festivals all over Europe.

In October 2008, Behemoth released their first live album, At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy. Also, an EP called Ezkaton was released featuring a re-recorded version of Chant for Eschaton 2000, one new song, two covers, and three live songs. The EP has been released in North America on November 11.

In March 2009, the band suggested that the new album, due in the summer, would be produced by British producer Colin Richardson.[14] Behemoth released its 9th full length album entitled "Evangelion" on August 9 via Nuclear Blast in Europe and August 11 via Metal Blade in US.[15] Shemhamforash, a track from this album was released in July 2009 on their Myspace page.[16]

In July and August 2009, Behemoth participated in the Rockstar Mayhem Festival alongside Slayer, Marilyn Manson, Bullet for My Valentine, Trivium, Cannibal Corpse, All That Remains, Job for a Cowboy and more. In September 2009 Behemoth headlined the "New Evangelion" Polish tour alongside Azarath, Black River and Hermh. [1]

In January 2010 Behemoth toured North America during "Evangelia Amerika Tour". In March they toured Europe with shows in Scandinavia, Greece and Turkey. In April Behemoth toured Japan, Australia and New Zealand. In May they started European "Evangelion Summer Campaign 2010" with shows on open-air festivals in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Poland. In June and July they toured France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia and Croatia with Decapitated and Ex Deo. In July and August they performed on next open-air festivals, in Czech Republic and Poland.

In August 2010 Nergal was diagnosed with leukemia. Behemoth have been forced to cancel all next shows in August including Sonicsphere Festival in Finland, concerts in Russia and Baltic States in September and October, and their North American tour "Lawless States of Heretika" with Watain, Withered and Black Anvil in November and December.

A new Behemoth's live DVD "Evangelia Heretika" will be released in November 2010.

Controversy

In July 2007 the All-Polish Committee for Defense Against Sects distributed a list of bands that allegedly promote Satanism and murder to many Polish officials. Critics of this policy primarily see this as a violation of free speech, with the most scathing criticism generally emanating from within the metal community. As of present, the list has not gone into effect, and Behemoth is still allowed to play in Poland freely.[17][18]

Band members

Current members

Behemoth at Empik in 2009. From left to right: Zbigniew Promiński, Tomasz Wróblewski and Adam Darski.

Former members

Guitar
  • Leszek "L.Kaos" Dziegielewski (1995–1996, 1998–1999)
  • Adam "Desecrator" Malinowski (1991–1992)
  • Mateusz "Havoc" Smierzchalski (2000–2004)
Bass
  • Rafał "Frost / Browar" Brauer (1992–1993)
  • Mefisto (–1998)
  • Orcus (1993)
  • Marcin "Novy" Nowak (2000–2003)
Behemoth
(1991)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
  • Baal Ravenlock – drums
(1991–1992)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
  • Baal Ravenlock – drums
  • Desecrator – guitar
(1992)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
  • Baal Ravenlock – drums
  • Desecrator – guitar
  • Obscure Perversion – session bass guitar
(1992–1993)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
  • Baal Ravenlock – drums
  • Baeon von Orcus – bass guitar
(around 1993)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar
  • Baal Ravenlock – drums
  • Frost – guitar
  • Baeon von Orcus – bass guitar
(around 1993)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar
  • Baal Ravenlock – drums
  • Frost – bass guitar
  • Marduk – guitar
(1993–1995)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
  • Baal Ravenlock – drums
  • Frost – guitar
(1995–1996)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
  • Baal Ravenlock – drums
(1996–1997)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar
  • Baal Ravenlock – drums
  • Les Chaos – bass guitar
(1997–1999)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar
  • Inferno – drums
  • Mefisto – bass guitar
(1999)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar
  • Inferno – drums
  • Les Chaos – bass guitar
(2000–2003)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar
  • Inferno – drums
  • Novy – session bass guitar
  • Havoc – guitar
(2003)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar
  • Inferno – drums
  • Istvan – session bass guitar
  • Havoc – guitar
(2003–2004)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar
  • Inferno – drums
  • Orion – session bass guitar
  • Havoc – guitar
(2004–present)
  • Nergal – vocals, guitar
  • Inferno – drums
  • Orion – bass guitar
  • Seth – session guitar
Drums
Session keyboard
  • Piotr Weltrowski
  • Maciej Niedzielski
  • Robert "Rob Darken" Fudali (1992–1994)

Discography

Studio albums
EPs
Live albums
Demos
DVDs
Videos
Compilations
  • Demonica (2006)
  • Tyrants from the abyss (2002)
  • Originators of the northern darkness (2000)
  • Czarne Zastepy (1996)

Videos

Year Title Directed
1999 "Decade of Therion"
-
2000 "Antichristian Phenomenon"
-
2000 "Christians to the Lions" Roman Przylipiak[19]
2002 "As Above So Below" Jakub Miszczak[19]
2004 "Conquer All" Joanna Rechnio[20]
2005 "Slaves Shall Serve" Joanna Rechnio[21]
2007 "Prometherion" Soren[22]
2008 "At the Left Hand ov God" Dariusz Szermanowicz & Grupa 13[23]
2008 "Inner Sanctum" Mateusz "Mania" Winkiel[24]
2009 "Ov Fire And The Void" Dariusz Szermanowicz & Grupa 13[25]
2010 "Alas, Lord is Upon Me" Dariusz Szermanowicz & Grupa 13

Awards

Fryderyk Award
Year Album Category Note
2005 Demigod album of the year rock/metal Nominated
2008 The Apostasy album of the year rock/metal Nominated[26]
2009 At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy album of the year rock/metal Nominated
Other awards
Year Category Award Note
2005 Best Underground Band Metal Hammer Golden Gods Nominated[27]
2007 Top 20 Death Metal Guitarists Decibel Magazine 17th place[28]
2008 Grand Prix (music video "At the Left Hand ov God") Yach Film 2008 Nominated[29]
2008 Best Direction (music video "At the Left Hand ov God") Yach Film 2008 Nominated[29]
2008 Best Editing (music video "At the Left Hand ov God") Yach Film 2008 Nominated[30][29]
2009 Best Live Band Terrorizer 2008 readers' poll Award[31]
2009 Best Drummer (Inferno) Terrorizer 2008 readers' poll Award[31]
2009 Best Vocalist (Nergal) Terrorizer 2008 readers' poll Award[31]
2009 Personality of the Year (Nergal) Terrorizer 2008 readers' poll 2nd place[31]
2009 - Fenomeny Przekroju Nominated[32][33]
2009 Best Underground Band Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award[34][35]
2009 Artist of the year Nocne Marki Award[36][37]
2009 Best Polish Album (Evangelion) Gitarzysta Magazine Award[38]
2009 Best Polish Band Gitarzysta Magazine Award[38]
2009 Best Guitarist (Nergal) Gitarzysta Magazine Award[38]
2009 Best Song ("Lucifer") Gitarzysta Magazine Award[38]
2009 Popular Music Paszport Polityki Nominated[39]
2010 Best Best Terrorizer 2009 readers' poll Award[40]
2010 Best Live Band Terrorizer 2009 readers' poll Award[40]
2010 Best Bassist (Orion) Terrorizer 2009 readers' poll Award[40]
2010 Best Guitarist (Nergal) Terrorizer 2009 readers' poll Award[40]
2010 Best Drummer (Inferno) Terrorizer 2009 readers' poll Award[40]
2010 Best Vocalist (Nergal) Terrorizer 2009 readers' poll Award[40]
2010 Personality of the Year (Nergal) Terrorizer 2009 readers' poll Award[40]
2010 Best Album (Evangelion) Terrorizer 2009 readers' poll Award[40]
2010 Best Album Cover (Evangelion) Terrorizer 2009 readers' poll Award[40]
2010 Rock Category Sztorm Roku Nominated[41]
2010 Metal Anthem 2010 ("Ov Fire And The Void") Metal Hammer Awards Award[42]

References

  1. ^ "allmusic ((( Behemoth > Biography )))". Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  2. ^ "The Metal Crypt - Behemoth - Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond) Review". Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  3. ^ Guitar World BEHEMOTH: The Metal Kult Interview; retrieved 17 September 2008.
  4. ^ Interview with Nergal
  5. ^ http://www.behemoth.pl/site/index.php/eng#discography
  6. ^ "Behemoth - Pandemonic Incantations Review - sputnikmusic". Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  7. ^ "CoC : Behemoth - Satanica : Review". Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  8. ^ "CoC : Behemoth - Thelema.6 : Review". Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  9. ^ "MetalBite Thelema.6 Review by Chad on 2/17/2002". Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  10. ^ "allmusic ((( Behemoth > Biography )))". Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  11. ^ "The Coallition for Muzikal Armageddon North America Tour 2003". Retrieved 2009-05-24. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 38 (help)
  12. ^ Ozzfest
  13. ^ Radio Rebellion Tour
  14. ^ "Behemoth Taps Colin Richardson For New Album Mix". idiomag. 2009-04-01. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  15. ^ http://www.behemoth.pl/en/index.php?type=hi
  16. ^ "Behemoth Streaming New Song Shemhamforash Online". idiomag. 2009-07-23. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  17. ^ Marilyn Manson and Behemoth Banned to Perform in Poland: News @ ultimate-guitar.com
  18. ^ Behemoth banned to perform in Poland/Bible-tearing incident: News @ blabbermouth.net
  19. ^ a b Crush.Fukk.Create. Requiem for Generation Armageddon, Behemoth, Regain Records, 2004, # RR054
  20. ^ http://www.rockmetal.pl/wiesci.html?news_id=10819_Teledysk_Behemoth_gotowy
  21. ^ http://www.rockmetal.pl/wiesci.html?news_id=12564_Behemoth_na_cenzurowanym
  22. ^ http://muzyka.onet.pl/10175,1575262,newsy.html
  23. ^ http://www.rockmetal.pl/wiesci.html?news_id=15336_Behemoth__premiera_teledysku
  24. ^ http://www.metalstorm.ee/bands/videos.php?band_id=50&bandname=Behemoth
  25. ^ http://muzyka.onet.pl/0,2009600,newsy.html
  26. ^ http://www.infomuzyka.pl/Muzyka/1,83570,4903943.html
  27. ^ "BEHEMOTH Nominated For 'Best Underground Band' At METAL HAMMER AWARDS - Apr. 9, 2005". Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  28. ^ "Top 20 Death Metal Guitarists". Archived from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved March 14, 2010. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 2007-08-19 suggested (help)
  29. ^ a b c "Behemoth: 3 nominacje na festiwalu Yach Film". Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  30. ^ "Nominowani Yach Film 2008". Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  31. ^ a b c d "BEHEMOTH Dominates TERRORIZER Magazine's 2008 Readers' Poll - Jan. 7, 2009". Retrieved 2009-01-07.
  32. ^ ""To nie fenomen, to cud!"". Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  33. ^ "Nominowani do nagrody Fenomen Przekroju". Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  34. ^ "BEHEMOTH ZWYCIĘZCĄ PLEBISCYTU BRYTYJSKIEGO METAL HAMMERA!". Retrieved 2009-06-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |autor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "Golden Gods Nominations Announced". Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  36. ^ "Behemoth najlepszym artystą!". Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  37. ^ "Nocne Marki - nominowani". Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  38. ^ a b c d "Wyniki plebiscytu - Muzyczne Podsumowanie Roku 2009". Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  39. ^ "PASZPORTY 2009: Nominacje w kategorii muzyka popularna". Retrieved 2009-12-27.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Behemoth dominuje podsumowanie roku 2009 wg czytelników magazynu "Terrorizer"!". Retrieved 2010-01-05.
  41. ^ "Kto wywołał Sztorm Roku?". Retrieved 2010-01-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |imię= ignored (|first= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |nazwisko= ignored (|last= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ "METAL HAMMER Awards 2010: Auszeichnung der besten Bands auf dem Wacken Open Air" (in German). Axel Springer AG. 6 August 2010.

External links

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