Polish Death Metal titans Behemoth arrive with a more epic and focused sound on Shit Ov God (Nuclear Blast). 

Not only is a massive guitar sound dialed in, but there is less experimentation and more focus on hooky songs. Yes, hooky songs are not just for Pop music. They are important, no matter what genre of music you are playing. Any band can be heavy, practicing playing fast and hard enough. The rest can be dialed in at the studio. 

However, there are hundreds of heavy albums being released these days, and most of them are not worth a second listen. This is why Behemoth is at the top of the game. They are not sellouts. This album is less compromising than the last, where Nergal and Co. are making things work in the songwriting department, making this the band’s strongest effort since Evangelion.

This is a return to an older, more epic Death Metal sound. There are somewhat more melodic nuances haunting “Sowing Salt” that serve as an example of Behemoth at their most effective. The title track is massive and dark, with a great deal of purpose carried in its waltzing stomp. Nergal’s vocals are deliberate, rather than an afterthought. This alone puts them at the head of the pack from most Death Metal bands, whose growl rarely makes the lyrics decipherable, and is more of an obligatory texture. Nergal’s approach makes for more memorable songs, after what good is being heavy if you are writing songs worth repeat listens.

Often miscategorized as a Black Metal band, one of the rare moments that shows the influence of Black Metal on this album can be heard on “Drown The Svn In Wine.” It’s aggressive with more of a sonic throb hitting your ears. “O Venvs Come” is a creepy mid-paced march that builds into an ever-aching pulse as the drums provide more of a verse-chorus framework. In terms of dynamic songwriting, the last song finds the momentum shifting into a double bass charge as things accelerate into an angrier attack, to remind you that they can still blast it out with the best of them. 

If you are a fan of the band’s earlier work, then this is going to deliver that to you in the biggest, most epic manner possible. Even if you are hung up on The Satanist, you are going to have a hard time convincing yourselves that the riffs on this album are not more memorable. It’s a good time to be a Behemoth fan. Crank this album loudly while watching the blooper reels of the Pope’s funeral. 

Buy the album here:
https://www.behemoth.pl/

9 / 10
WIL CIFER
Follow his work here: 

CONCERT REVIEW: Behemoth – Satyricon – Rotting Christ Live at Poppodium 013