Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Daimonos
2. Shemhamforash
3. Ov Fire and the Void
4. Transmigrating Beyond Realms Ov Amenti
5. He Who Breeds Pestilence
6. Seed Ov I
7. Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
8. Defiling Morality Ov Black God
9. Lucifer

Disc 2:

1. Bonus Material [DVD][*]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7483 in Music
• Brand: Dig
• Released on: 2009-08-11
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .29 pounds

Album Description
Limited two disc (CD + DVD) edition of the 2009 release from the Polish Death Metal band includes a bonus DVD. The DVD includes over 30 minutes of professionally shot in-studio footage that documents the entire recording process from pre-production to tracking. Also included is a behind the scenes look at the Behemoth artist photo shoot with dynamic Polish production firm Grupa 13.

Customer Reviews

A Dark Star in the Firmament Ov Metal Just Went Supernova...
Let me state, categorically, that Behemoth's "Evangelion" may handily be the best extreme metal release of 2009. This viscious, nine track slab of Polish blackened death metal is both infectiously catchy and sonically punishing. Nergal & Co. have labored feverishly to deliver a tightly-executed, atmospheric, and uncompromising work of heavy metal artistry that will invite comparisons to post-Euronymous Mayhem, 90s-era Dissection, and Nile circa "In Their Darkened Shrines". Only a band as talented, unique, and hard-working as Behemoth can pull these diametric sounds into an originally unholy singularity that engulfs the listener in a pure aural hell.

The album opens strong, with "Daimonos" and its menacing follower, "Shemhamforash". There are slight pauses where a single instrument may take over to allow the unwitting listener to breathe, but not many. The album's centerpiece, and, ironically, its first subject to be documented in video, is "Ov Fire and the Void". This track begins by alternating between fast bursts of instrumental terror and methodical chording, then an eerie riff arises that may remind the listener of Mayhem's "Fall of Seraphs". Again, the "breathing space" created by this passage doesn't last long before the battery of drums, bass, and guitar open up with the fury of a thousand fallen angels. "Ov Fire and the Void" is supremely catchy, and, as with the other tracks on the album, displays Behemoth's lyrical grasp on all things mythological and occult. Other standout cuts include "He Who Breeds Pestilence" -- which opens with a dissonant, shifting Burzum-esque guitar lick and explodes into hellish insanity, and the momentous closer, "Lucifer", which is growled manaically in the native language of the band. Truly, there isn't a hint of filler on "Evangelion". The instrumental work of each musician is enormous, and the vocal delivery of Nergal is akin to a acetylene blowtorch resonating in a deserted factory.

Included with the CD release is a very professional DVD which documents the making of "Evangelion" -- as well as a documented photo shoot which seems centered around the creation of the CD booklet. The "recording process" is very enjoyable to watch, especially for those who have been there (i.e. recorded a metal album) or for those who simply wish to see how its done. Other bands have tried this, but none have been as captivating to watch as Behemoth. Perhaps it's their precision in the studio and their occasional bursts of wicked candor. At any rate, the addition of this bonus DVD is a welcome treat.

I normally abhor digipaks, but in this case, the rough-surfaced, sparsely-gilded cardboard packaging of "Evangelion" is tasteful and well-done enough to exceed my personal dislikes. The cover art is reminiscent of the intricate woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer. Framed by the sun and the moon, "Babalon" is depicted in all of her seductive, bewitching glory as the commandments lay broken at her feet and hapless, ineffectual clerics kneel in awe. The album art, lyrics, and incidental text included in the booklet prove again that Behemoth -- unlike many bands with their roots in black metal -- actually know about the dark arts, theology and mythology, and aren't simply screaming about "Satan" because Venom, Bathory, and Hellhammer did so in the 1980s. Everything about this release is poetic and astounding.

To conclude, well-read and cultured fans of black metal or death metal will find themselves enraptured by "Evangelion". It is utterly pulsating with dark metal matter, and should not be overlooked for more accessible bands of the current millenium. For years, I have been concerned that truly cerebral extreme metal was in its death throes -- smothered by facile and irreverent trends -- yet "Evangelion" has renewed my faith. Praise be to thee, O Dark Gods Behemoth!

Vicious Assault of Brutality
Behemoth return faster and more brutal than ever on Evangelion. One of the most noticeable improvements is the vocal attack by Nergal. His vocals are still layered, but not as much as before and not as processed, so they sound more natural and even more intense. If you thought due to the band's rising popularity that they would be slowing down you would be very wrong. Nothing is further from the truth. The opening track and He who Breeds Pestilence are over the top. Super heavy and the band is tighter than ever. The last track Lucifer is their attempt at an epic sound. It is atmospheric, slow and just flat out rocks from start to finish. The band incorporates keyboards, different instruments and definite middle eastern flair to some of their arrangements. Packaging is an excellent digipack. Have not checked out the making of dvd yet, plan to do that soon. I love the cover. It's a black and white pencil drawing that is beautiful and sinister at the same time. Not your typical death metal cover, it's refreshing. Curious to see if fellow countymen Vader can top this in a few weeks.

Behemoth come into their own.
For a long time I have liked Behemoth, but always felt that they were somewhat over-rated. Not so on this new album. This is a solid contender for metal album of the year. The music is darker, clearer, angrier, and deeper than previous efforts. In a year of stand out metal releases (such as Blood Oath by Suffocation), Behemoth have definately pulled out all the stops and created a monster. I can't wait to see what Vader has in store for us in a few weeks.