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Origin: Poland Status: Active Style: Black Metal Website: http://www.behemoth.metalkings.com
There had been a long hard road out of hell until the cursed day when the furious intensity of the Eastern beast, set up by Nergal, the main man behind the band , struck the world in mid 1991. Following the paths of the ancient heroes like VENOM, early FROST or first Norwegian black metal acts, Behemoth started their unearthly existence with a couple of raw and primitive rehearsal tapes ("Endless Damnation") and demos ("The Return of the northern moon"), the most significant of which was the second one - "From the pagan vastlands" (1993), showing the growing potential of the main composer/writer.
This tape was released by polish label Pagan Rec. and later on by infamous American Wild Rags which pressed this stuff on CD.
Signing with a minor Italian company Entropy rec. the band had the chance to record their debut release, a mini album entitled "And the forests dream eternally" (1994) followed by the full length with Polish underground label Pagan rec.
"Sventevith (storming near the Baltic)" gained extremely positive responses worldwide and eventually saw the band moving on to a new deal with German label Solistitium. Rec. That record established Behemoth as one of the very few black metal bands from mid-eastern Europe with enormous potential and its own, peculiar character. Consequently ,stepping forward, the band (as the three piece - Nergal, Baal, Les) recorded the second album "Grom". This has been probably the most controversial release so far, due to its many different influences, using female vocals as well as acoustic guitars and synthesizers. This was also the time when Behemoth finally got a chance to play first shows in their native country and finally tour around Europe (Pagan Triumph tour 1996) gaining stage experience as well as positive feedback from the crowds.
Then the time came to record third album, called "Pandemonic Incantations", which benefited from the precious aid of new members, especially the very talented human drummer machine- Inferno. It was some kind of "breakthrough moment" in Behemoth's short career. Reactions of the still growing fanbase and metal medias set the new quality standards for this polish band. Unfortunately, that awesome album suffered from the lack of interest worldwide caused by very weak promotion. The last opus released by Solistitium was strictly limited mini cd called "Bewitching The Pomerania" which is a highly estimated collectors item at this moment.
After another extensive and rewarding tour, in the fall of 1998 Behemoth signed a two albums deal with Italian Avantgarde Music. The first output of this new collaboration was the highly successful album "Satanica": Long lasting feedbacks covered "Satanica" with 'gold awards' even one year after its release date (the album was licensed in the USA in Summer 2000!). The label also secured the band with two very effective European tours in support to DEICIDE and another to SATYRICON. In that very successful period, the band had to go through some line up changes and problems with their ex- polish label, but at the end of the day, everything was back on the right tracks. The new members on the board were Novy (formerly known from Devilyn, right now in Vader, Dies Irae) who handled the bass duties and an inexperienced but very talented guitarist Havok. The new deal concerning the efforts on the polish territory Behemoth signed with highly respectful and undoubtedly professional Mystic company.
The next masterpiece is the logic follow-up to 'Satanica', although unpredictable in all its smallest details was Thelema6. Massive guitar parts and a most precise drumming, as well as influences from different sources, showed that Behemoth were there to offer something really varied and innovative once again. 'Thelema.6' is a complete album with characteristic fierce brutality and speed. It has also the most essential ingredient: creativity. Behemoth goes on searching for new dimensions both musically and lyrically. Splendid arrangements and technical invention on individual compositions made this album an ultimate one for Black/death metal genre.
Lyrically, once again Nergal and his partner in poetry Krzysztof Azarewicz offered something of a very sophisticated, intimate and profound obscurity.
'Thelema.6' has been massively supported in the press and media all over the world. The album was licensed for the United States area to Olympic rec. and for the first time in their career the album was officially out in Russia by Irond Rec., as well as in Brazil by Moira rec. New songs were also already experienced live during European tour X-MASS FESTIVALS in December 2000 e.v., in support to MORBID ANGEL, THE CROWN, DYING FETUS, ENSLAVED to name a few. Behemoth invaded their eastern neighbors (Russia, Belarus, Latvia) in February 2001 e.v. being maniacally welcomed by the public.
Continuing the support for 'Thelema.6' Behemoth appeared on several prestigious live events like Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Inferno Festival, Mystic Festival, Mind Over Matter to mention the most recognizable ones ...
Autumn and winter 2001 has been the most active period for the band so far. They started first headlining tour alongside with Carpathian Forest(Nor) and Khold (Nor) followed by festival tour in Poland (Thrash em all fest. with Vader and Krisiun among others), first headlining tour in Czech Rep. and Slovakia with Czech deathsters Hypnos. This marathon ended on two occasional shows on X MASS, where the band got extremely positive feedback.
In 2002 Nergal and Co. focused on writing new material for their 6th opus. Meantime, they did their second headlining tour in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (February 2001) as well as "exotic" mini tour in Mexico (february 2001) along with acts like The Haunted and Witchery. There's also the brand new limited mini cd - "Antichristian Phenomenon" hit the stores shelves as the kind of gift for the most dedicated supporters.
Having the new songs completed Behemoth entered Hendrix Studio for the second time, and with help of their long time friend and sound engineer Arkadiusz Malczewski, produced album called "ZOS KIA CULTUS (Here and Beyond)".
"ZOS KIA CULTUS (Here and Beyond)" was recorded with almost double production budget and the band spent in the studio two months (almost 700 hours). The result is impressively massive and overwhelming for all those who thought that the band couldn't go any further since the yet excellent Thelema's production. Musicwise, 'ZOS KIA CULTUS' presents the very well known trademark of Behemoth, with hyper-tech guitar riffing by the axemen in crime Nergal-Havok, the glorious leather-baiting of Inferno and the precise bass patterns by Novy. This time Behemoth sound got APOCALYPTIC ! Adding ultra heavy mid-tempo parts here and there, bringing the listener to the deepest abyss of earth, Nergal and company prove again that they can go anywhere with their killing machine, leaving no survivors behind.
"ZOS KIA CULTUS" street date (November 2002) was shortly after followed by the amount of 36 shows all over Europe. Behemoth headlined different territories with support of such acts like Destroyer 666, Diabolic. In Poland they crushed the venues and spread the odour of sulphur with Darkane, Frontside, Crionics. They reached new fans from the south of Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy) to the north (England, Scandinavia)...
In February 2003 the band did their first tour in Norway, playing in the most important cities as Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger.
On March 11th 2003 the American premiere was scheduled (Century Media Rec.), followed by the first Behemoth's appearance on the US continent. The tour started on the 9th of March at the New Jersey's Metalfest and continued
with decent amount of shows across America and Canada with the company of Deicide, Revenge and Amon Amarth. Shortly after doing their first US tour the band was invited to join BLACKEST OF THE BLACK FESTIVALS by Glenn Danzig himself. Already legendary festival included such acts like DANZIG, SUPERJOINT RITUAL, NILE, OPETH.In the fall of 2003 Behemoth flew over to US to complete their third tour with SIX FEET UNDER and SKINLESS. The band did their Finnish debut appearance on famous TUSKA FESTIVAL along with MINISTRY, SOULFLY and more.
In the meantime due to some line up difficulties Nergal parted his ways with Havok and Novy, who decided to focus on activities with their own bands.
Behemoth has also signed a new deal for next two albums with Swedish REGAIN REC. (gaining i.e. DANZIG, DARK FUNERAL, MARDUK, DEFLESHED, FRONTSIDE on their roster) for European territory, CENTURY MEDIA (USA) and MYSTIC for Polish market. With the new line up consisting of Nergal on guitars and vocals, Inferno on drums and a new member Orion on bass and a session guitar player Seth, the band is currently writing songs for their newest record DEMIGOD which is scheduled for release in the fall 2004.
Biography source:
http://www.behemoth.metalkings.com
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