A few phrases come to mind when listening to Behemoth’s music…bloodthirsty, unrelenting brutality, loathsome, even…and I might be going out on a limb here…anti-Christian. Oh, you heard it too? Possibly one of the hardest and heaviest bands in existence, Behemoth has released their newest declaration of hate upon Christianity. “The Apostasy” is a venture of pure evil. Song after song, note after note–just by listening, you can almost feel the flames of hell beginning to engulf you. The songs are written with such ferocity and hate that you have no choice but to accept it, or it will crush your pitiful soul.

We begin with an intro of pure epic foreboding, eventually leading us into the first of many songs that will drive at one common theme (take a guess). “Slaying the Prophets ov Isa” (Isa, by the way, is the Arabic name for Jesus) accurately sets the tone for the entire album with its abject dissonance. Behemoth strives not only to denounce Christianity—they aim to drive it six feet into the ground. Instrumentally, this album reeks of musical perfection fueled in wretched disbelief. The drums on “The Apostasy” are beaten so hard you can hear the screams of the god-loving masses in anguish. The guitar will assuredly rend what is left—probably not much, but rend it shall. If that weren’t enough, the vocals provided by Nergal are simply unnerving–he would make Lucifer piss himself in fear.

While this album is intensely heavy, I would dare say that it is very accessible to most fans of metal, essentially because of the sheer talent displayed by these blackened Polish creatures of evil. The riffs are incredibly catchy, and there is a constant supply of ripe head-banging goodness. Warrel Dane of Nevermore provides vocals on “Inner Sanctum”, which is probably one of the most horrific songs to date by Behemoth, in terms of lyrical context. This album also features an array of instrumental arrangements (including horns and piano) which make “The Apostasy” unique among the Behemoth repertoire.

MANDATORY OWNAGE

1. Rome 64 C.E. (1:25)
2. Slaying the Prophets ov Isa (3:23)
3. Prometherion (3:03)
4. At the Left Hand ov God (4:58)
5. Kriegsphilosophie (4:23)
6. Be Without Fear (3:17)
7. Arcana Hereticae (2:58)
8. Libertheme (4:53)
9. Inner Sanctum (5:01)
10. Pazuzu (2:36)
11. Christgrinding Avenue (3:51)

Notable Tracks: Slaying the Prophets of Isa, Pazuzu, Christgrinding Avenue.
Similar Artists: Nile, Cryptopsy, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide.

Regain Records
Century Media Records
Behemoth (official)
Behemoth (myspace)

Review by: Nate