Behemoth - The Satanist review
| Band: | Behemoth |
| Album: | The Satanist |
| Style: | Blackened death metal |
| Release date: | February 2014 |
Disc I
01. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel
02. Furor Divinus
03. Messe Noire
04. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
05. Amen
06. The Satanist
07. Ben Sahar
08. In The Absence Ov Light
09. O Father O Satan O Sun!
10. Ludzie Wschodu [Siekiera cover] [Australian bonus]
Disc II [DVD] [deluxe box set version]
01. Live Barbarossa
1 - Intro
2 - Ov Fire And The Void
3 - Demigod
4 - Moonspell Rites
5 - Conquer All
6 - Christians To The Lions
7 - The Seed Ov I
8 - Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
9 - Decade Of ΘΕΡΙΟΝ
10 - At The Left Hand Ov God
11 - Slaves Shall Serve
12 - Chant For ΕΣΧΗΑΤΟΝ 2000
13 - 23 (The Youth Manifesto)
14 - Lucifer
02. The Satanist: Oblivion
What's my favorite scary movie? The Shining. With its subtle, psychological terror and slow-build that only Kubrick can pull off, it's a masterpiece. Sure, I get down with the gore-ridden creature features too. Everything from Evil Dead to Friday the 13th is cool in my book. Why is this relevant? Aliens. Okay, now you are more confused. Let me elaborate further. I think a lot of long-time fans come to a Behemoth album expecting a certain level of violence. Demigod, Thelema.6, Zos Kia Cultus; these classics are the "Aliens" of the Behemoth discography. Explosions, flame-throwers, disembowelment, "Game over man, game over!" I'm right with you, popcorn ready. The Satanist, on the other hand, is "Alien." Swarms of xenomorphs are replaced with a single, lurking threat in the shadows. The emphasis is on tension as each innocent is picked off one by one and dragged to their grim (and unseen) demise. While both styles are equally valid, I find the imagination to be a far darker place than anything directly fed to my senses.
I tend to rate an album along three criteria: enjoyability, musicianship, and innovation. I'll start with enjoyability. As a fan of thrillers, this album has it in spades. From the simple, catchiness of "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel" to the cathartic cries of "O Father O Satan O Sun!", there is nary a moment that does not grip me to the core. I love this album with the exact same intensity I did the first time I listened to it. I still find myself frequently growling along to "Messe Noir" and playing double-bass under my desk to "Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer." I may know that Dallas is going to die in those vents, but I'm still on the edge of my seat every time he goes in there.
Regarding musicianship, subtly wins me over in this department. What Alien lacks in creature effects, it makes up for with careful editing, cinematography, and pacing. The same can be said for The Satanist: it may not have the most technical guitar parts or original concepts, but damned if the songwriting doesn't know how to spin straw into gold. Rather than being symphonic in the bombastic sense of Dimmu Borgir or later Septicflesh, Behemoth take a more understated, chamber music approach. This atmosphere combines with the earworm melodies in such a way as to build something that is cohesive without losing a sense of what makes each track special.
I have already begun to allude to innovation in saying that the ideas here are not new. They are, however, a big step for the group. While much of the present territory was explored on Evangelion, it was not done with this level of mastery. Think back to the first time you saw that chestbuster burst from Kane's torso. Would that have been nearly as disturbing without the quiet dread building so long before? Dynamics are a big part of what makes The Satanist a slam dunk for me. The dreary, gothic and menacing parts make each crescendo hit that much harder. Those looking for a truncated example need look no further than the first single. The final moments of that track work so well only because of all the time spent lulling a certain hypnotic sense of fragile safety. This is in stark contrast to the more balls-to-the-wall approach of albums like Demigod.
In the end, this is a well-deserved 10. Those familiar with my Metal Archives reviews know that I don't give out too many, but the The Satanist soars on black wings with its staying power, songwriting, and dynamic progression. Those looking for something more blunt and direct would be better served elsewhere, but fans of Ridley Scott and Giger (RIP) will rejoice at the slow burn. In space, you CAN hear Nergal scream.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 10 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written by flightoficarus | 09.02.2015
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Rating:
6.0
6.0
|
Rating: 6.0 |
Not too many bands could throw a spoken-word, Kenny G sax muzak thing into the middle of a song called "In The Absence Ov Light" and not get laughed away into obscurity. Behemoth can get away with shit like that. They're just too cool to be dismissed. They sound cool and, with a theatrical sense that rivals well over half a Lady Gaga, they LOOK cool. I mean, I'm not gay, but I'd let Nergal and Orion double team me if they still want to. Read more ›› |
Comments
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| garmling Account deleted |
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| flightoficarus Stamp Tramp Posts: 1112  |
Written by Guest on 09.02.2015 at 19:55 Thanks. I felt like we needed an alternate perspective. I see valid points for both sides, so having reviews on both extremes seems warranted. I am sure not all of the comments will be quite so warm, but I could care less. Flame on, people.
---- Daily underground metal recommendations at Metal Trenches. Watch metal content on the Metal Trenches YouTube Channel.
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| Ilham Giant robot Posts: 5161  |
You didn't close your italic [/i] tag correctly. Other than that, garmling, good job at looking like a fool just because you didn't agree with the staff review.
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| flightoficarus Stamp Tramp Posts: 1112 |
Written by Ilham on 09.02.2015 at 20:39 I believe it got messed up during the proof-read as it looked fine when I hit preview before. Either way, yeah that sucks. Want to fix it. Look like a fool? It is a well known fact that I AM a fool.
---- Daily underground metal recommendations at Metal Trenches. Watch metal content on the Metal Trenches YouTube Channel.
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| Fearmeister Account deleted |
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| Ilham Giant robot Posts: 5161 |
Written by flightoficarus on 09.02.2015 at 20:42 You can ask your proofreader to make the necessary changes. You didn't read that part well, it was directed at the guy who wrote off twenty people as having awful taste because we don't share the same admiration for whatever bands he listens to.
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| BitterCOld The Ancient One Admin Posts: 15250  |
Ponderer, is that you?
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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| flightoficarus Stamp Tramp Posts: 1112 |
Written by Ilham on 09.02.2015 at 20:47 Just got it. Der. It's Monday.
---- Daily underground metal recommendations at Metal Trenches. Watch metal content on the Metal Trenches YouTube Channel.
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| Cynic Metalhead Paisa Vich Nasha Posts: 6815  |
Holy shi....Ponderer is back? Nah, he wasn't on MA and plus he has a beef with BaN. Anyhoo, can he be found on fb? I can't sell any of my high shares to see him on fb.
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
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| BitterCOld The Ancient One Admin Posts: 15250 |
He's not ponderer, a joke on my part as the MO is vaguely similar. responding to a "harsh" review of an album with a glowing review.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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| Cynic Metalhead Paisa Vich Nasha Posts: 6815 |
Written by Guest on 09.02.2015 at 21:05 Argh, I meant this.
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| Hex_Omega Gem Seeker Posts: 1178 |
Garmling... I remember his comments about Jews... We had an argument  And I believe the whole conversation was deleted 
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| flightoficarus Stamp Tramp Posts: 1112 |
Written by BitterCOld on 09.02.2015 at 21:13 In my opinion, the best reason to do a review is because there either isn't one, or you staunchly disagree with the ones available. Otherwise I'm just reiterating what has already been said. Just my two cents. Prepare for more of this, albeit in the other direction, if my Periphery review gets posted.
---- Daily underground metal recommendations at Metal Trenches. Watch metal content on the Metal Trenches YouTube Channel.
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| Deadmeat Necrobutcher Posts: 2437  |
Behemoth reached their potential in zos kia and demigod. after these they are slowly declining till today and this album is one of their worst... even if someone calls it a good album, rating it with 10 means that the forementioned albums should get a 15..
---- Υou've sold your human essence to the cold world of dead and empty things... You're SOLD!
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| Lit. Account deleted |
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| Karlabos Meat and Potatos Posts: 5658  |
Hmm? I smell popcorn 
---- "Aah! The cat turned into a cat!" - Reimu Hakurei
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| garmling Account deleted |
garmling
Account deleted Written by Ilham on 09.02.2015 at 20:39 Somebody's touched... Sorry 
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Elite Posts: 5941  |
Written by Guest on 09.02.2015 at 19:55 Comrade Garmling trudges through the Metal Storm jungle with his loyal band of rebels, armed to the teeth with mouse and keyboard, great weapons that shall, it can not be denied, bring terror to the fascist regime of the MS hierarchy.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| garmling Account deleted |
garmling
Account deleted Written by Auntie Sahar on 10.02.2015 at 00:03 IMO = In My Opinion It is just my disagreement and here I expressed it! It is no offence! Tastes differ... You know, I prefer some other weapons, but mouse and keyboard can be very devastating weapons if used correctly
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| Ilham Giant robot Posts: 5161 |
Written by Guest on 09.02.2015 at 23:25 Not really, a blanket statement using foul language like that doesn't strike me as one that has to be taken personally, I was just pointing out how narrow-minded it makes you look. Your loss  .
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| garmling Account deleted |
garmling
Account deleted Written by Ilham on 10.02.2015 at 01:27 god damn PMS...ok you won, I quit
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| Ilham Giant robot Posts: 5161 |
Written by Guest on 10.02.2015 at 02:47 Sure, write-off a woman's polite response to a not-so thought-out and polite comment of yours as PMS. That will make you look intelligent and not sexist at all .
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
Written by Ilham on 10.02.2015 at 03:00 He's hasn't got laid in more than a year judging by his response. Wtf? Pms? How much of a male chauvanist pig can one be?
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Funny how loads of men say a woman has pms when she is stating an opinion not in accordacne with theirs.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by Guest on 10.02.2015 at 03:08 I will be fighting for top honours, I can guarantee you
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 10.02.2015 at 03:10 Right, let's get offensive... ah, maybe tomorrow morning instead.
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by deadone on 10.02.2015 at 03:23 Didn't know he was from that area. But that does indeed explain a lot. Biggest case in point we have here at MS is Rasputin who is from that area and is the worst one around.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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