BEHEMOTH - Demonica
September 5, 2006, 18 years ago
(Regain)
Housed in a hardback book, this is a limited (10,000 worldwide) 2CD repackaging of the Polish outfit’s early work (’92-’93 demos), along with contributions to obscure compilations, a couple of covers (Mayhem’s ‘Deathcrush’ and Hellhammer’s ‘Aggressor’), plus a trio of re-recorded, and unreleased tunes (‘Cursed Angel Of Doom’, ‘Transylvanian Forest’ and ‘Spellcraft & ‘Healthdom’). The final two were redone during the Demigod recording session, so are as up-to-date as that same vitriolic disc. All told, there are eight previously unreleased tracks. The budget/technology and know-how was primitive as the ‘90s began, as those rough old tapes prove. But even back then, there was the dramatic flare, with instrumental interludes and orchestration. While Nergal (guitar/vocals) remains the lone survivor of that trying period, all the originals, including Polish label head, recall their memories within the 40 page booklet., which reprints the lyrics and features tons of old black and white photos. Everything isn’t balls-out speed, as the pulverizing ooze of ‘Rise Of The Blacksform Of Evil’ demonstrates. In light of Behemoth’s global rise, it’s convenient and makes good (business?) sense to have all these tracks together in one place.
