Behemoth

Behemoth is a Polish metal band from Gdańsk, active since 1991. The group begins in black metal and later moves toward blackened death metal, and it is often linked with the development of the Polish extreme metal scene alongside Vader, Decapitated, Vesania and Hate.

Early recordings and first albums

The band’s early output includes rehearsal tapes such as Endless Damnation and demos including The Return of the Northern Moon and ...From the Pagan Vastlands from 1993. These recordings appear first on Pagan Records in Poland and later on Wild Rags in the United States. Behemoth records its second full-length album, Grom, as a trio, during a period when it starts performing live in Poland and then across Europe.

Development and label changes

Pandemonic Incantations, released in 1998, is widely seen as a turning point in the band’s career and helps establish its position in the metal scene. That same year the group signs a two-album deal with Italy’s Avantgarde Music, which leads to Satanica and a more defined blackened death metal sound. Line-up changes follow, with Novy on bass and Havok on guitar joining the band. Behemoth later signs with the Polish label Mystic and releases Thelema.6, an album noted for its varied influences, complex arrangements and technical playing.

Touring, festivals and later releases

The band supports Thelema.6 with appearances at Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Inferno Metal Festival and Mystic Festival, alongside headlining tours in Europe and Russia. In 2002 it records Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond) at Hendrix Studio, continuing its work with sound engineer Arkadiusz Malczewski. The album is followed by touring in Norway and the band’s first US tour, which begins with the New Jersey Metalfest in March 2003. Behemoth also appears on the Blackest of the Black tour organised by Glenn Danzig and later tours with Six Feet Under, Skinless and The Black Dahlia Murder.

Demigod, the band’s seventh studio album, arrives in 2004 and debuts at number 15 on the Polish album chart. Behemoth issues videos for “Conquer All” and “Slaves Shall Serve” and continues touring in North America and Europe with bands including Napalm Death, Moonspell and Kataklysm. In 2007 it releases The Apostasy, recorded at Radio Gdańsk, and performs at Ozzfest as one of the few non-American acts. The band also headlines a US tour and keeps up extensive touring across Europe and North America. In 2008 it releases the live album At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy and the EP Ezkaton, which includes a re-recorded track, a new song, cover versions and live recordings. Evangelion follows in 2009 and receives positive critical reception.

Recorded output

Behemoth releases eleven full-length studio albums in total. Its catalogue is shaped by a progression from early rehearsal tapes and demos into a more established blackened death metal style across its later releases.