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Behemoth (band)
Encyclopedia
Behemoth is a Polish blackened death metal band from Gdańsk
, formed in 1991. They are considered to have played an important role in establishing the Polish extreme metal
underground, alongside bands such as Vader
, Decapitated
, Vesania
and Hate
.
Until the late 1990s, the band played a traditional black metal
style with heathen lyrical content, but soon changed to that of occult
and thelemic
themes written by their lead vocalist Nergal
and Krzysztof Azarewicz. With the 1999 release of Satanica
, the band showed their presence in the blackened death metal scene, while retaining their own signature style characterized by the drum work of Inferno
, multi-layered vocals and Middle-Eastern
influences. Despite the fact that Behemoth has been labeled as death metal
, black metal or thrash
-influenced, Nergal has mentioned that he does not like the band to be labeled.
on guitar and vocals, Baal
on the drums, and Desecrator on the guitar. They started with the demos Endless Damnation, and The Return of the Northern Moon. The most significant however, was the third demo—...From the Pagan Vastlands (1993). This tape was released by Polish label Pagan Records
and later on by the American Wild Rags
. Their next release was Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic) in 1995. A year later, they recorded their second album Grom
, which was released in 1996. Grom features many different influences and musical styles, using female vocals as well as acoustic guitars and synthesizers. At the same time, Behemoth finally got a chance to play live shows in its native country and finally tour around Europe, gaining stage experience. Two years later, the band recorded a third album, titled Pandemonic Incantations
. The cumilation of their increasing presence and metal media set a new standard for them. However, due to a lack of promotion, the album was not well-publicized. After another extensive tour, Behemoth signed a two-album deal with Italy's Avantgarde Music
in the fall of 1998. The first result of this new collaboration was the successful album Satanica
, on which the black metal sound had evolved into blackened death metal.
The label also secured two European tours for the band in support of Deicide
and Satyricon
respectively. During that period, Behemoth had to go through some line-up changes and had problems with their ex-Polish label. The new members then were Novy
(formerly known from Devilyn, Vader
and Dies Irae), who handled the bass duties, and Havok, who became the band's guitarist. After the line-up changes Behemoth signed with the Polish label Mystic.
The follow-up release to Satanica was Thelema.6
. Massive guitar parts and precise drumming, with influences from different sources, saw them progress further towards blackened death metal.
Thelema.6 was supported by the worldwide press and media, including official releases in Russia and Brazil for the first time. Continuing the support for Thelema.6, Behemoth appeared in several prestigious live events like Wacken Open Air
, With Full Force
, Inferno Metal Festival
, Mystic Festival, and Mind Over Matter Autumn. They started first their headlining tour alongside with Carpathian Forest
and Khold
, followed by a festival tour in Poland (Thrash em All Fest. with Vader
and Krisiun
, among others).
.
In February 2003, the band started their first tour in Norway
, playing in cities such as Bergen
, Oslo
and Stavanger
. On March 11, 2003, the American premiere, scheduled by Century Media Records, headlined Behemoth's first appearance in the American continent. The tour started on the 9th of March at the New Jersey's Metalfest and continued with a decent amount of shows across America and Canada, with the company of Deicide
, Revenge
, Vehemence
and Amon Amarth
. Shortly after doing their first US tour the band was invited to join the Blackest of the Black Tour by Glenn Danzig
. The already legendary festival included acts like Danzig
, Superjoint Ritual
, Nile
, and Opeth
. In the fall of 2003, Behemoth flew over to US to complete their third tour with Six Feet Under
, Skinless
and Black Dahlia Murder. The band then played at the Tuska Festival in Finland with Ministry
, Soulfly
, among others. At that time, due to some line up difficulties, Nergal parted his ways with Havok and Novy, who decided to focus on activities with their own bands. Eventually, the band resumed touring in the UK and Europe.
In 2004, their seventh studio album, Demigod
was released to good critical response. Recorded at the Hendrix Studios, the album debuted at number 15 on the national Polish album charts. Music videos for the songs "Conquer All" and "Slaves Shall Serve" were also shot. In fall 2005 the band headlined the Demigod supremacy Canadian tour 2005 with Necronomicon.
In 2007, the band toured Europe alongside Napalm Death
, Moonspell
and Dew-Scented
. Behemoth released their eighth studio album The Apostasy
in July of that year. It was recorded at Radio Gdańsk studio in December, 2006. Shortly after the release of The Apostasy, the band was featured as one of Ozzfest
2007's second stage headliners, one of the four non-US bands playing that year. In October/November 2007, they played their first US headlining tour alongside Job for a Cowboy
, Gojira
, and Beneath the Massacre
. In October/November 2007 the band toured Europe alongside Canadian death metal combo Kataklysm
and Belgium's Aborted
.
In February 2008 Behemoth began a headlining tour along with Suicide Silence
. In April/May 2008 the band toured North America as part of "The Invaluable Darkness" tour with Keep of Kalessin
and headliner Dimmu Borgir
. Behemoth spent the summer playing a number of prominent festivals all over Europe.
In October 2008, Behemoth released their first live album, At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy
. Also, an EP called Ezkaton
was released featuring a re-recorded version of Chant for Eschaton 2000, one new song, two covers, and three live songs. The EP has been released in North America on November 11.
. Behemoth released its 9th full length album entitled "Evangelion" on August 9 via Nuclear Blast in Europe and August 11 via Metal Blade in US. Shemhamforash, a track from this album was released in July 2009 on their MySpace
profile.
In July and August 2009, Behemoth participated in the Rockstar Mayhem Festival
alongside a variety of metal bands such as Slayer
, Bullet for My Valentine
, All That Remains
, Trivium
, Marilyn Manson
, Cannibal Corpse
and Job for a Cowboy
. In September 2009 Behemoth headlined the "New Evangelion" Polish tour alongside Azarath, Black River
and Hermh.
In January 2010 Behemoth toured North America during "Evangelia Amerika Tour". In March they toured Europe with shows in Scandinavia, Greece and Turkey. In April Behemoth toured Japan, Australia and New Zealand. In May they started European "Evangelion Summer Campaign 2010" with shows on open-air festivals in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Poland. In June and July they toured France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia and Croatia with Decapitated and Ex Deo. In July and August they performed on next open-air festivals, in Czech Republic and Poland.
. It was reported that his leukemia was so advanced that chemotherapy
couldn't help him, however, this has now been proven false. Doda, his girlfriend at that time, offered her bone marrow for a transplant but tests showed she wasn't a match. A donor has since been found. Behemoth have been forced to cancel all upcoming shows in August including Sonisphere Festival in Finland, concerts in Russia, Belarus and Baltic States in September and October, and their North American tour "Lawless States of Heretika" with Watain, Withered and Black Anvil in November and December.
Behemoth's live DVD "Evangelia Heretika" was released on November 9, 2010. The DVD package includes two DVDs featuring Live in Warsaw 2009, Live in Paris 2008, Documentaries, Bonus Material and an Audio CD.
On January 17th, 2011, Nergal left the hematology division of Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne, four weeks after he underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure. He says that he will now take several months of recovery while living in his flat in one of the Gdansk’s districts, in order to restore his physical condition. He also announces that he is eager to resume playing the guitar again having been six months since he last played. He also says that he has a huge motivation and desire to continue his work with the band, thanking all people who helped him.
According to Nergal, a new album and tour for 2012 are both in the works.
and murder
. Critics of this policy primarily see this as a violation of free speech, with the most scathing criticism generally emanating from within the metal community. As of present, the list has not gone into effect, and Behemoth are still allowed to play in Poland freely.
Former members
Session members
Gdansk
Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...
, formed in 1991. They are considered to have played an important role in establishing the Polish extreme metal
Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. The term usually refers to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound nearly always associated with genres like black metal,...
underground, alongside bands such as Vader
Vader (band)
Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn, formed in 1983. According to Piotr Wiwczarek, the band's founding singer and guitar player, the band's name was inspired by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series. Lyrical themes include stories by H. P. Lovecraft, WW2, horror and anti-christian...
, Decapitated
Decapitated (band)
Decapitated is a death metal band that formed in Krosno, Poland in 1996. The group comprises guitarist, founder and composer Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka, vocalist Rafał Piotrowski and Austrian drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner. Decapitated have gained recognition as one of the genre's most widely respected...
, Vesania
Vesania
Vesania, , is a Polish symphonic black metal/blackened death metal band. They were formed in 1997 by Orion, Daray, and Heinrich. Later members were Annahvahr and Hatrah, who left the band in 1999 and was replaced by Siegmar....
and Hate
Hate (band)
Hate is a Polish death metal band from Warsaw, Poland, formed in 1990. Their most recent album, Erebos, was released in 2010, under Listenable Records.-Biography:...
.
Until the late 1990s, the band played a traditional black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
style with heathen lyrical content, but soon changed to that of occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
and thelemic
Thelema
Thelema is a religious philosophy that was established, defined and developed by the early 20th century British writer and ceremonial magician, Aleister Crowley. He believed himself to be the prophet of a new age, the Æon of Horus, based upon a religious experience that he had in Egypt in 1904...
themes written by their lead vocalist Nergal
Adam Darski
Adam Michał Darski also known by his stage name Nergal and previously Holocausto, is a Polish musician and television personality, best known for being the frontman for blackened death metal band Behemoth.- Biography :...
and Krzysztof Azarewicz. With the 1999 release of Satanica
Satanica
Double CD edition It is known that a limited edition double CD was released. The jewel case contains a second bonus CD with live tracks from Strasbourg, France, February 26 1999.Notes...
, the band showed their presence in the blackened death metal scene, while retaining their own signature style characterized by the drum work of Inferno
Zbigniew Robert Prominski
Zbigniew Robert Promiński , stage name Inferno, is a Polish death metal drummer. He has contributed to bands such as Behemoth, Azarath, Witchmaster, Damnation, Deus Mortem, Artrosis, Christ Agony and Devilyn. Also, his endorsements include Paiste, Czarcie Kopyto, Spaun Drums, Vic Firth, and...
, multi-layered vocals and Middle-Eastern
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
influences. Despite the fact that Behemoth has been labeled as death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
, black metal or thrash
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
-influenced, Nergal has mentioned that he does not like the band to be labeled.
Early career and first five albums (1991–2000)
Behemoth was formed in 1991 as a trio, with NergalAdam Darski
Adam Michał Darski also known by his stage name Nergal and previously Holocausto, is a Polish musician and television personality, best known for being the frontman for blackened death metal band Behemoth.- Biography :...
on guitar and vocals, Baal
Adam Muraszko
Adam Muraszk , is a Czech/Polish heavy metal musician. He was the drummer, in Behemoth from 1991-1997. He contributed with the Band, Hell-Born.-References:...
on the drums, and Desecrator on the guitar. They started with the demos Endless Damnation, and The Return of the Northern Moon. The most significant however, was the third demo—...From the Pagan Vastlands (1993). This tape was released by Polish label Pagan Records
Pagan Records
Pagan Records is an independent extreme metal record label based in Poland. Their roster includes bands such as Azarath, Behemoth, Christ Agony, Mortiis and other black metal bands.- Bands :* Anima Damnata* Azarath* Behemoth* Christ Agony* Damnation...
and later on by the American Wild Rags
Wild Rags
Wild Rags Records was a record label and store in Montebello, California. It was founded in the 1980s by Ricardo Campos. Though Wild Rags started out releasing music from bands such as Cherry Street, the label would go on to put out influential releases by the likes of Nuclear Death, Impetigo,...
. Their next release was Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic) in 1995. A year later, they recorded their second album Grom
Grom (album)
Grom is the second studio album by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. It was recorded and mixed during December 1995 & January 1996 and was originally released in January 1996 through Solistitium Records and later on by Pagan Records...
, which was released in 1996. Grom features many different influences and musical styles, using female vocals as well as acoustic guitars and synthesizers. At the same time, Behemoth finally got a chance to play live shows in its native country and finally tour around Europe, gaining stage experience. Two years later, the band recorded a third album, titled Pandemonic Incantations
Pandemonic Incantations
Pandemonic Incantations is the third studio album by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. The album was recorded during August and September, 1997 at Selani Studio and was mixed in October, 1997. The album was then released in 1998 by Solistitium Records, whilst Behemoth were still in their...
. The cumilation of their increasing presence and metal media set a new standard for them. However, due to a lack of promotion, the album was not well-publicized. After another extensive tour, Behemoth signed a two-album deal with Italy's Avantgarde Music
Avantgarde Music
Avantgarde Music is an Italian record label, formed as a continuation of Obscure Plasma Records, focusing on black and doom metal artists. The label has a sub-label called Wounded Love Records, which has released albums by Dolorian and Taake....
in the fall of 1998. The first result of this new collaboration was the successful album Satanica
Satanica
Double CD edition It is known that a limited edition double CD was released. The jewel case contains a second bonus CD with live tracks from Strasbourg, France, February 26 1999.Notes...
, on which the black metal sound had evolved into blackened death metal.
The label also secured two European tours for the band in support of Deicide
Deicide (band)
Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
and Satyricon
Satyricon (band)
Satyricon is a Norwegian black metal band, and the first one in the genre to join a multi-national record label .-Biography:Satyricon was formed in 1990 by Czral and Wargod. Ulver and Satyr soon joined them...
respectively. During that period, Behemoth had to go through some line-up changes and had problems with their ex-Polish label. The new members then were Novy
Marcin Nowak
For information on the athlete, see Marcin Nowak .Marcin "Novy" Nowak is a Polish death metal musician known for his contribution to the bands Devilyn, Dies Irae, Nader Sadek, Thy Disease, Behemoth, Spinal Cord, Vader, Virgin Snatch and Crucified Mortals.- Dies Irae :*Immolated *The Sin War For...
(formerly known from Devilyn, Vader
Vader (band)
Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn, formed in 1983. According to Piotr Wiwczarek, the band's founding singer and guitar player, the band's name was inspired by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series. Lyrical themes include stories by H. P. Lovecraft, WW2, horror and anti-christian...
and Dies Irae), who handled the bass duties, and Havok, who became the band's guitarist. After the line-up changes Behemoth signed with the Polish label Mystic.
The follow-up release to Satanica was Thelema.6
Thelema.6
Thelema.6 is the fifth album by blackened death metal band Behemoth. The album was recorded and mixed at the Hendrix Studios in Poland in July and August 2000 and was then mastered at the High-End Studio in Warsaw, Poland in 2000....
. Massive guitar parts and precise drumming, with influences from different sources, saw them progress further towards blackened death metal.
Thelema.6 was supported by the worldwide press and media, including official releases in Russia and Brazil for the first time. Continuing the support for Thelema.6, Behemoth appeared in several prestigious live events like Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
, With Full Force
With Full Force
With Full Force is a metal, hardcore and punk festival held annually in Germany since 1994. The 2011 edition took place on July 1 and July 3 at the Roitzschjora airport in Löbnitz near Leipzig in the Saxon county of Delitzsch.-2010:...
, Inferno Metal Festival
Inferno Metal Festival
Inferno Metal Festival is an annual extreme metal festival in Oslo, Norway. The festival was founded by Borknagar guitarist Jens F. Ryland in cooperation with Radar Booking in 2001 and take place at Rockefeller Music Hall.-2011:...
, Mystic Festival, and Mind Over Matter Autumn. They started first their headlining tour alongside with Carpathian Forest
Carpathian Forest
Carpathian Forest is a Norwegian black metal band formed by Nattefrost and Nordavind in 1990.-Biography:Carpathian Forest emerged with the demo tape "Bloodlust and Perversion" in 1992. In 1993 the band released a second demo: Journey Through the Cold Moors of Svarttjern...
and Khold
Khold
Khold is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 2000 after the split-up of Tulus. The band plays midpaced and somewhat "groovy" black metal and has a history of touring with bands such as Behemoth and Satyricon.-Current line-up:*Gard - vocals/guitar...
, followed by a festival tour in Poland (Thrash em All Fest. with Vader
Vader (band)
Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn, formed in 1983. According to Piotr Wiwczarek, the band's founding singer and guitar player, the band's name was inspired by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series. Lyrical themes include stories by H. P. Lovecraft, WW2, horror and anti-christian...
and Krisiun
Krisiun
Krisiun is a Brazilian death metal band, founded by Alex Camargo , Moyses Kolesne , and Max Kolesne . Since its formation, in 1990, the group recorded two demos, Evil Age in 1991, and Curse of the Evil One in 1992, and self-released an extended play titled Unmerciful Order in 1993...
, among others).
Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond), Demigod and The Apostasy (2001–2008)
In 2001, Behemoth focused on writing new material for a sixth studio album. Meantime, they completed their second headlining tour in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Having completed the recording of their new songs, Behemoth entered Hendrix Studio for the second time, with help of their friend and sound engineer Arkadiusz Malczewski, and produced Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond)Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond)
-Behemoth:* Adam "Nergal" Darski – lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars, vocals* Mateusz Maurycy "Havok" Śmierzchalski – lead and rhythm guitar* Marcin "Novy" Nowak – bass guitar* Zbigniew Robert "Inferno" Promiński – drums and percussion...
.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, playing in cities such as Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
, Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
and Stavanger
Stavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
. On March 11, 2003, the American premiere, scheduled by Century Media Records, headlined Behemoth's first appearance in the American continent. The tour started on the 9th of March at the New Jersey's Metalfest and continued with a decent amount of shows across America and Canada, with the company of Deicide
Deicide (band)
Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
, Revenge
Revenge (Canadian band)
Revenge is a Canadian black metal band formed in 2000 by James Read following the collapse of his previous outfit Conqueror. Revenge's chaotic black metal sound represents a direct continuation of Read's previous band's direction...
, Vehemence
Vehemence
Vehemence is a death metal band from Phoenix, Arizona. They formed in 1997 and released their first demo cassette in 1998. Their debut album, The Thoughts From Which I Hide, was self-released in 2000...
and Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth is a Swedish viking metal band from Tumba, Sweden founded in 1992, and takes its name from the Sindarin translation of Mount Doom, a location in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The band comprises vocalist Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström...
. Shortly after doing their first US tour the band was invited to join the Blackest of the Black Tour by Glenn Danzig
Glenn Danzig
Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig (born Glenn Allen Anzalone; June 23, 1955 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, entrepreneur, and a progenitor of the horror punk subgenre of music. He is a founder of bands the Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig...
. The already legendary festival included acts like Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
, Superjoint Ritual
Superjoint Ritual
Superjoint Ritual was an American heavy metal band formed by Phil Anselmo, Joe Fazzio, and Jimmy Bower in the early 1990s, later to be joined by Hank Williams III, and Kevin Bond. Their style can be considered a mix of Pantera's style of groove metal and hardcore punk. A small trace of black metal...
, Nile
Nile (band)
Nile is an American death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1993. Their music and lyrics are inspired by Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism, history, religion, and art, as well as stories by H. P. Lovecraft.- History :...
, and Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
. In the fall of 2003, Behemoth flew over to US to complete their third tour with Six Feet Under
Six Feet Under (band)
Six Feet Under is an American death metal band from Tampa, Florida, formed in 1993. The band was originally a side project by Cannibal Corpse vocalist Chris Barnes with guitarist Allen West of Obituary...
, Skinless
Skinless
Skinless is a death metal band that was formed in 1992 and disbanded in 2011.-History:Skinless was formed by Ryan Wade and Noah Carpenter in the town of South Glens Falls, New York...
and Black Dahlia Murder. The band then played at the Tuska Festival in Finland with Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
, Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
, among others. At that time, due to some line up difficulties, Nergal parted his ways with Havok and Novy, who decided to focus on activities with their own bands. Eventually, the band resumed touring in the UK and Europe.
In 2004, their seventh studio album, Demigod
Demigod (album)
Demigod is the seventh studio album by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. The album was recorded during May and July in 2004 at the Hendrix Studios and was released on October 25, 2004. Daniel Bergstrand mixed the record at the Dug out Studios in Uppsala, Sweden during July and August in...
was released to good critical response. Recorded at the Hendrix Studios, the album debuted at number 15 on the national Polish album charts. Music videos for the songs "Conquer All" and "Slaves Shall Serve" were also shot. In fall 2005 the band headlined the Demigod supremacy Canadian tour 2005 with Necronomicon.
In 2007, the band toured Europe alongside Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
, Moonspell
Moonspell
Moonspell is a Portuguese gothic metal band from Brandoa, Lisbon. Formed in 1992, the group released their first EP Under the Moonspell in 1994, a year before the release of their first album Wolfheart...
and Dew-Scented
Dew-Scented
Dew-Scented is a German thrash metal, death metal band. They have released eight studio albums and are currently signed to Metal Blade Records and Prosthetic Records . Their name is inspired by the writings of Edgar Allan Poe...
. Behemoth released their eighth studio album The Apostasy
The Apostasy
- Explanation of song titles :* "Rome 64 C.E." – the Great Fire of Rome occurred in 64 C.E., in which Peter from the bible , were allegedly killed...
in July of that year. It was recorded at Radio Gdańsk studio in December, 2006. Shortly after the release of The Apostasy, the band was featured as one of Ozzfest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
2007's second stage headliners, one of the four non-US bands playing that year. In October/November 2007, they played their first US headlining tour alongside Job for a Cowboy
Job for a Cowboy
Job for a Cowboy is a American death metal band from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band's debut album Genesis was released in 2007, peaking at #54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009's Ruination, sold 10,600 copies in...
, Gojira
Gojira (band)
Gojira is a heavy metal band formed in 1996 in Bayonne, France. The band was known as Godzilla until 2001. Gojira is composed of Joe Duplantier on vocals and guitar, his brother Mario Duplantier on drums, Christian Andreu on guitar and Jean-Michel Labadie on bass...
, and Beneath the Massacre
Beneath the Massacre
Beneath the Massacre is a Canadian death metal band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Their debut album, Evidence of Inequity, was released in 2005, under Galy Records. In early 2006, the band signed with Prosthetic Records and has since released their first full-length album, Mechanics of...
. In October/November 2007 the band toured Europe alongside Canadian death metal combo Kataklysm
Kataklysm
Kataklysm is a Canadian death metal band. They call their musical style "northern hyperblast" after an advertisement in M.E.A.T. magazine describing another band, Fear Factory, as "hyperblast". The term refers to the extremely fast blast beats that Kataklysm's drummer, Max Duhamel, fuses into the...
and Belgium's Aborted
Aborted
Aborted is a Belgian death metal band formed in Waregem, Belgium in 1995. The group comprises vocalist and founder Sven de Caluwé, guitarists Eran Segal and Mike Wilson, bassist J.B. Van Der Wal, and drummer Ken Bedene. The band members of Aborted are from Belgium, France, Israel, United Kingdom,...
.
Suicide Silence
Suicide Silence is an American extreme metal band from Riverside, California. The group consists of vocalist Mitch Lucker, guitarists Chris Garza and Mark Heylmun, drummer Alex Lopez and bassist Dan Kenny. Formed in 2002, the band has released three full-length studio albums, one EP and seven music...
. In April/May 2008 the band toured North America as part of "The Invaluable Darkness" tour with Keep of Kalessin
Keep of Kalessin
Keep of Kalessin is an extreme metal band from Trondheim, Norway formed in 1993. The group's early lineup consisted of Ghash on vocals, Obsidian C. on guitars and keyboards, Warach on bass, and Vyl on drums. They released two albums under this lineup: Through Times of War in 1997, and Agnen: A...
and headliner Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. Dimmu borgir means "dark cities" or "dark castles/fortresses" in Icelandic, Faroese and Old Norse. The name is derived from a volcanic formation in Iceland, Dimmuborgir...
. Behemoth spent the summer playing a number of prominent festivals all over Europe.
In October 2008, Behemoth released their first live album, At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy
At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy
Bonus tracksBonus tracks on Metalbox version only- Personnel :* Adam "Nergal" Darski – vocals, guitars, synth, programming, lyrics* Tomasz "Orion" Wróblewski – bass, backing vocals* Zbigniew Robert "Inferno" Promiński – drums and percussion...
. Also, an EP called Ezkaton
Ezkaton
-Chart performance:-Personnel:*Adam "Nergal" Darski – vocals, guitars, synth, programming*Tomasz "Orion" Wróblewski – bass guitar*Zbigniew Robert "Inferno" Promiński – drums and percussion-Guest appearance:...
was released featuring a re-recorded version of Chant for Eschaton 2000, one new song, two covers, and three live songs. The EP has been released in North America on November 11.
Evangelion (2009–2010)
In March 2009, the band suggested that the new album, due in the summer, would be produced by British producer Colin RichardsonColin Richardson
Colin Richardson is a British record producer, mixer and recording engineer. He has worked on over 100 albums, and is most frequently associated with heavy metal and its subgenres such as:*Anathema*As I Lay Dying*Behemoth*Bullet for My Valentine...
. Behemoth released its 9th full length album entitled "Evangelion" on August 9 via Nuclear Blast in Europe and August 11 via Metal Blade in US. Shemhamforash, a track from this album was released in July 2009 on their MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
profile.
In July and August 2009, Behemoth participated in the Rockstar Mayhem Festival
Mayhem festival
The Mayhem Festival is a touring metal festival that takes place during the summer. The inaugural iteration took place in 2008; the festival has since become an annual event across the United States and Quebec, Canada. The tour has been sponsored by the Rockstar Energy Company since the time of its...
alongside a variety of metal bands such as Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, Bullet for My Valentine
Bullet for My Valentine
Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh heavy metal band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed of Matt Tuck , Michael Paget , Jason James , and Michael Thomas . They were formed under the name Jeff Killed John and started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana...
, All That Remains
All That Remains (band)
All That Remains is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, which formed in 1998. They have released five studio albums, a live CD/DVD, and have sold nearly 800,000 records...
, Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
, Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
, Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
and Job for a Cowboy
Job for a Cowboy
Job for a Cowboy is a American death metal band from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band's debut album Genesis was released in 2007, peaking at #54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009's Ruination, sold 10,600 copies in...
. In September 2009 Behemoth headlined the "New Evangelion" Polish tour alongside Azarath, Black River
Black River (band)
Black River is a Polish stoner rock/heavy metal band. They were formed in 2008 by Tomasz Wróblewski, Dariusz Brzozowski, Piotr "Kay" Wtulich, Artur "Art." Kempa, and Maciej Taff.In 2009 band was nominated to Fryderyk, an annual award in Polish music....
and Hermh.
In January 2010 Behemoth toured North America during "Evangelia Amerika Tour". In March they toured Europe with shows in Scandinavia, Greece and Turkey. In April Behemoth toured Japan, Australia and New Zealand. In May they started European "Evangelion Summer Campaign 2010" with shows on open-air festivals in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Poland. In June and July they toured France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia and Croatia with Decapitated and Ex Deo. In July and August they performed on next open-air festivals, in Czech Republic and Poland.
Nergal's illness and recovery and next album (2010–present)
In August 2010 Nergal was rushed to a hospital and was diagnosed with leukemiaLeukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. It was reported that his leukemia was so advanced that chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
couldn't help him, however, this has now been proven false. Doda, his girlfriend at that time, offered her bone marrow for a transplant but tests showed she wasn't a match. A donor has since been found. Behemoth have been forced to cancel all upcoming shows in August including Sonisphere Festival in Finland, concerts in Russia, Belarus and Baltic States in September and October, and their North American tour "Lawless States of Heretika" with Watain, Withered and Black Anvil in November and December.
Behemoth's live DVD "Evangelia Heretika" was released on November 9, 2010. The DVD package includes two DVDs featuring Live in Warsaw 2009, Live in Paris 2008, Documentaries, Bonus Material and an Audio CD.
On January 17th, 2011, Nergal left the hematology division of Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne, four weeks after he underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure. He says that he will now take several months of recovery while living in his flat in one of the Gdansk’s districts, in order to restore his physical condition. He also announces that he is eager to resume playing the guitar again having been six months since he last played. He also says that he has a huge motivation and desire to continue his work with the band, thanking all people who helped him.
According to Nergal, a new album and tour for 2012 are both in the works.
Controversy
In July 2007 the All-Polish Committee for Defense Against Sects distributed to many Polish officials a list of bands that allegedly promote satanismSatanism
Satanism is a group of religions that is composed of a diverse number of ideological and philosophical beliefs and social phenomena. Their shared feature include symbolic association with, admiration for the character of, and even veneration of Satan or similar rebellious, promethean, and...
and murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
. Critics of this policy primarily see this as a violation of free speech, with the most scathing criticism generally emanating from within the metal community. As of present, the list has not gone into effect, and Behemoth are still allowed to play in Poland freely.
Band members
Current members- Adam "Nergal" DarskiAdam DarskiAdam Michał Darski also known by his stage name Nergal and previously Holocausto, is a Polish musician and television personality, best known for being the frontman for blackened death metal band Behemoth.- Biography :...
– lead vocals, guitars (1991–present) - Zbigniew Robert "Inferno" PromińskiZbigniew Robert ProminskiZbigniew Robert Promiński , stage name Inferno, is a Polish death metal drummer. He has contributed to bands such as Behemoth, Azarath, Witchmaster, Damnation, Deus Mortem, Artrosis, Christ Agony and Devilyn. Also, his endorsements include Paiste, Czarcie Kopyto, Spaun Drums, Vic Firth, and...
– drums (1997–present) - Tomasz "Orion" WróblewskiTomasz WróblewskiTomasz Wróblewski , stage name Orion, is a Polish death metal musician, current bassist/backing vocalist of Behemoth and Black River, and the vocalist/guitarist of Vesania. He also contributed with the band Neolithic and performed backing vocals with Machine Head during the Sounds of the...
– bass guitar, backing vocals (2003–present) - Patryk "Seth" SztyberPatryk Dominik SztyberPatryk Dominik Sztyber , stage name Seth, is a Polish heavy metal musician. He is the rhythm, lead and acoustic guitarist and also backing vocalist in Behemoth...
– guitars, backing vocals (2011–present)
Former members
- Leszek "L.Kaos" Dziegielewski – guitars (1995–1996, 1998–1999)
- Adam "Desecrator" Malinowski – guitars (1991–1992)
- Mateusz "Havoc" Smierzchalski – guitars, backing vocals (2000–2004)
- Rafał "Frost" Brauer – bass guitar (1992–1993)
- Mefisto – bass guitar (1997–1999)
- Orcus – bass guitar (1993)
- Adam "Baal" Ravenlock" MuraszkoAdam MuraszkoAdam Muraszk , is a Czech/Polish heavy metal musician. He was the drummer, in Behemoth from 1991-1997. He contributed with the Band, Hell-Born.-References:...
– drums (1991–1997)
Session members
- Obscure Perversion – bass guitar (1992)
- Marcin "Novy" NowakMarcin NowakFor information on the athlete, see Marcin Nowak .Marcin "Novy" Nowak is a Polish death metal musician known for his contribution to the bands Devilyn, Dies Irae, Nader Sadek, Thy Disease, Behemoth, Spinal Cord, Vader, Virgin Snatch and Crucified Mortals.- Dies Irae :*Immolated *The Sin War For...
– bass guitar (2000–2003) - Istvan Lendvay – bass guitar (2003)
- Patryk "Seth" SztyberPatryk Dominik SztyberPatryk Dominik Sztyber , stage name Seth, is a Polish heavy metal musician. He is the rhythm, lead and acoustic guitarist and also backing vocalist in Behemoth...
– guitars, backing vocals (2004–2011)
Discography
Studio albums- Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)Sventevith is the debut album by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. It was originally released in 1995 by Pagan Records, but it is known that the album has been re-released through numerous other labels....
(1995) - GromGrom (album)Grom is the second studio album by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. It was recorded and mixed during December 1995 & January 1996 and was originally released in January 1996 through Solistitium Records and later on by Pagan Records...
(1996) - Pandemonic IncantationsPandemonic IncantationsPandemonic Incantations is the third studio album by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. The album was recorded during August and September, 1997 at Selani Studio and was mixed in October, 1997. The album was then released in 1998 by Solistitium Records, whilst Behemoth were still in their...
(1998) - SatanicaSatanicaDouble CD edition It is known that a limited edition double CD was released. The jewel case contains a second bonus CD with live tracks from Strasbourg, France, February 26 1999.Notes...
(1999) - Thelema.6Thelema.6Thelema.6 is the fifth album by blackened death metal band Behemoth. The album was recorded and mixed at the Hendrix Studios in Poland in July and August 2000 and was then mastered at the High-End Studio in Warsaw, Poland in 2000....
(2000) - Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond)Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond)-Behemoth:* Adam "Nergal" Darski – lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars, vocals* Mateusz Maurycy "Havok" Śmierzchalski – lead and rhythm guitar* Marcin "Novy" Nowak – bass guitar* Zbigniew Robert "Inferno" Promiński – drums and percussion...
(2002) - DemigodDemigod (album)Demigod is the seventh studio album by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. The album was recorded during May and July in 2004 at the Hendrix Studios and was released on October 25, 2004. Daniel Bergstrand mixed the record at the Dug out Studios in Uppsala, Sweden during July and August in...
(2004) - The ApostasyThe Apostasy- Explanation of song titles :* "Rome 64 C.E." – the Great Fire of Rome occurred in 64 C.E., in which Peter from the bible , were allegedly killed...
(2007) - EvangelionEvangelion (album)Evangelion is the ninth full-length album by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. The album was released on August 7, 2009 through Nuclear Blast Records and on August 11, 2009, through Metal Blade Records in the USA....
(2009)
Awards
| Fryderyk Awards Fryderyk The Fryderyk is the annual award in Polish music. Its name refers to the original Polish spelling variant of Polish composer Frédéric Chopin's first name... |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Note |
| 2004 | Rock/Heavy Metal Album of the Year (Album roku – rock/metal) | Demigod | Nominated |
| 2008 | Rock/Heavy Metal Album of the Year (Album roku – rock/metal) | The Apostasy | Nominated |
| 2009 | Heavy Metal Album of the Year (Album roku – heavy metal) | At The Arena ov Aion - Live Apostasy | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Cover Art (Wydawnictwo Specjalne Najlepsza Oprawa Graficzna) | Evangelion | Nominated |
| Heavy Metal Album of the Year (Album Roku Heavy Metal) | Evangelion | Won | |
| Production of the Year (Produkcja Muzyczna Roku) | Evangelion | Nominated | |
| Band of the Year (Grupa Roku) | Behemoth | Nominated | |
| Videoclip of the Year (Wideoklip Roku) | "Ov Fire And The Void" | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Videoclip of the Year (Wideoklip Roku) | "Alas, Lord Is Upon Me" | Nominated |