Band:	Behemoth
Album:	The Apostasy
Style:	Blackened death metal
Release date:	July 17, 2007
Guest review by:	Clintagräm

Disc I
01. Rome 64 C.E.
02. Slaying The Prophets Ov Isa
03. Prometherion
04. At The Left Hand Ov God
05. Kriegsphilosophie
06. Be Without Fear
07. Arcana Hereticae
08. Libertheme
09. Inner Sanctum
10. Pazuzu
11. Christgrinding Avenue

Disc II [limited edition DVD]
+ The Making Of The Apostasy

Behemoth is among the leaders of the Polish Extreme Metal scene along with such enduring acts as Vader and Graveland. Throughout their colorful career Behemoth has morphed from their primitive Black Metal beginnings into the devastating, occult influenced Death Metal band that we know them to be today. As with their previous records, Behemoth's 'The Apostasy' brings us another slab of solid Death Metal, while not being too different, but not too similar, to their earlier works.

The first thing that can be noted about the new album is the production. Whereas the previous four Death Metal albums in their catalogue had a crisp, almost mechanical feel, 'The Apostasy' brings a very organic side to the music. Every instrument, from the electrics to the acoustics, is equalized in such a way as to make this album feel like a living and breathing entity. Decapitated's 'Winds of Creation' could be a comparable album to this in terms of "feel."

Regarding performance, every member of Behemoth is as spot on as always. Seth and Nergal manage to churn out riff after riff of pummeling Death Metal. Orion, while shadowed like most bass players, puts out an honorable performance as he always has, though he really comes to show his skill when performing live. Then, of course, there is Inferno, one of the most talented drummers in the Extreme Metal world. While you won't be disappointed if you've come looking for blast beats, he is talented enough in the creative spectrum to add flavor to his drumming, especially with this crash and ride work, along with some of his almost "tribal" passages.

Nergal always seems to have some fresh ideas, and there are plenty of aspects unique to this album that you won't find often in Death Metal. Various brass instruments, a piano performance by Poland's own Leszek Mozdzer, along with an eerie vocal performance by Warrel Dane of Nevermore fame, are all tasty aspects of this album. Lyrically the music is still of a high quality. The content varies around the "usual" themes played on by Behemoth such as numerous pantheons, ancient culture, history, and the power in man. Depending on how you view Nergal's previous lyrical output, you're bound to have the same ideas about these. They'll range from cheesy as hell (like their garb these days) to intellectually superior to other bands. With songs titles like "Slaying the Prophets ov Isa" and "Christgrinding Avenue" what can go wrong?

All in all, the album is a very good experience to listen to. As always there is enough content on the album to keep you busy, but not too much to draw away from the definite Metal factor that emanates from the music. While the music, for some, may become a bit stale the album as a whole is a good piece of contemporary Death Metal and is something that must be experienced live!