Band:	Behemoth
Album:	Thelema.6
Style:	Blackened death metal
Release date:	November 27, 2000
A review by:	Troy Killjoy

01. Antichristian Phenomenon
02. The Act Of Rebellion
03. Inflamed With Rage
04. ΠΑΝ ΣΑΤΥΡΟΣ
05. Natural Born Philosopher
06. Christians To The Lions
07. Inauguration Of Scorpio Dome
08. In The Garden Of Dispersion
09. The Universe Illumination (Say 'Hello' To My Demons)
10. VINVM SABBATI
11. 23 (The Youth Manifesto)
12. The End
13. Untitled [bonus]
14. Malice [bonus]
15. Satanas [Sarcófago cover] [bonus]
16. Hello Space Boy [David Bowie cover] [bonus]
17. From The Pagan Vastlands [bonus]

"We are unworthy of the gift of life. Your god is dead now."

After enduring nearly a decade of existing as a fairly unremarkable and forgettable black metal outfit, Behemoth brainchild Nergal decided to change things up drastically and head in a death metal direction that ultimately brought about two decades (and counting) of mainstream extreme metal success. It took a complete stylistic overhaul, including a makeover of the rest of the lineup aside from drummer Inferno, but what we know of this band today is precisely a result of these early groundbreaking decisions, personnel be damned.

While the black metal foundation was never completely abandoned, even in these earlier transition times, it instead lingered like a haunting phantom that attached itself to whatever creation came out of Nergal's mind. The tone of the guitars and traditional black metal blastbeats remained staples of the band, but rather than taking a backseat, that initial black metal style sat up front beside the driver -- the kind of ride-along that plays around with the radio and tells you what they think is the best way to reach your destination. Death metal may have been the driver, but it fought tooth and nail to maintain dominance over its passenger, only barely coming out on top.

This album is not only a continuation of what its predecessor spewed forth on its unsuspecting victims at the time, but a perfection. Of course, tastes differ and are entirely subjective, but Thelema.6 took everything that made Satanica what it was, and gave it that extra notch up from 10 to 11. This time around, Behemoth were polished, they added more melodic guitar solos, they made plenty of room for drumming that dared venture into almost experimental territory without straying too far from its blastbeat base. In short, whatever they felt could be improved upon, they improved upon.

With all of that said, this album is not without its flaws. There are several tracks that can easily be considered filler, and it tends to drag at times, but the brevity of each song makes it easier for the listener to remain engaged for its ~50 minute run time, and you can count on some infused melodies scattered throughout to ease your time spent being bombarded by this rampaging monster. Though Thelema.6 represents Behemoth's transitional phase and shouldn't be held up to the same standard as future releases, it stands out as an incredibly solid death metal album on its own -- the kind of which you can mosh to in the pit or quietly headbang to while wearing headphones in your basement.