We’ve been talking a lot about Behemoth as of late, mostly because of their upcoming release, The Satanist, which is slated for release on February 3rd in Europe and February 4th in the U.S. The buildup to this release has been exciting with all the promo videos and mini docs being released. Naturally, this felt like the right time to share a live performance from the Polish metal band.
The video here, however, is from 2009, while touring their last album, Evangelion. This performance was included in Behemoth’s live DVD, Evanelia Heretika, along with Live in Paris 2008 and additional bonus material and a CD. Once you watch it, I think you’ll find the band’s supreme live performance combined with excellent filmmaking makes for a truly enjoyable viewing.
Formed in 1991, Behemoth has released 9 studio albums (The Satanist being the 10th) and has established themselves long ago as an important band in the black metal genre, especially for Poland. Nergal, vocals/guitar and only original member, has expressed that he doesn’t like people putting a label on the band, but anyone with a set of ears can hear that this is black metal, some calling it blackened death metal. What it is, in the end, is awesome.
At the turn of the century, Nergal changed the themes of his lyrics, moving away from heathen and toward the occult and thelemic. Thelema is a philosophy developed by Aleister Crowley. The “law” of this philosophy states: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law, love under will.”
Love is clearly not a reason for Behemoth to be listed on the Defense Against Sects by the Polish Committee. This list contains a collection of bands that are accused of promoting Satanism and murder. For now, Behemoth is permitted to play in their home country, but that might change if the Polish Committee has it’s way and violates the free speech of anyone on the list. Considering this list was drafted in 2007, it seems unlikely it will ever go into effect.
And if you’ve watched any of the promo videos for The Satanist, you know that Nergal has a good, healthy head on his shoulders (or at least it seems). At any rate, I appreciate his philosophies on fitness and mental fortitude.
Behemoth: Evangelia Heretika DVD, Live In Warsaw, Set List:
1. Ov Fire And The Void
2. Demigod
3. Pan Satyros
4. Shemhamforasi
5. Conquer All
6. Decade Of Therion
7. Wolves Guard My Coffin
8. Christians To The Lions
9. At The Left Hand Ov God
10. Slaves Shall Serve
11. As Above So Below
12. Inferno Drum Solo
13. Lam
14. Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
15. Anti-christian Phenomenon
16. Chant For Ezkaton 2000 E.V
17. Lucifer
Yell! Magazine’s Concert Series brings you kick-ass live shows to get your party started right and to help you vent your Friday frustrations.
Rock Hard \m/
