Entry 1440 - Behemoth - Demigod

Style: Death metal

Primary Emotions/Themes: power, shunning the heavens, subservience to none

Thoughts: There are those who are destined to rule. There are slaves destined to serve. This album is the chronicle of a band that has chosen to rule, and Demigod is the record of their ascension to the throne.

I have a mixed history with Behemoth.  Some of their albums are simply not to my liking. I can objectively tell that they are well composed and executed... I just can't get into them. Demigod is not one of those albums.

Every single complaint I had about the few albums preceding this one sounding stale or samey are completely and utterly destroyed on Demigod. What once was boring riffs are now full of life and vigor. What was once a singular song spread across ten tracks now is a dynamic buffet of riffs, concepts, and individual compositions. Everything has improved... no perfected. This is the pinnacle of Behemoth's death metal sound.

Not only are the songs fast and brutal, but the riffs are memorable. Listen to that opening of Conquer All. Not only does this song have a p o w e r f u l opening, it's catchy as all hell. That riff makes me want to headbang every single time it comes on. 

The thing is that not only does Conquer All start strong, the band takes the basis of the opening riff and evolves it over the course of three minutes to create a song that perfectly balances brutality and catchiness... something that hardly any band has accomplished. 

It's not just Conquer All though, it's every song. The title track opens up with an ominous keyboard intro like we are going to war. The riffs that come in with it only signify this further.  Mysterium Coniunctionis again balances speed, power, and memorable riffs to create an absolutely massive song. Xul and Slaves Shall Serve tear my speakers up with riff after riff of insanity. The album simply keeps giving.

Demigod is not only the highlight of the death metal era for the band, it could very well be the best album the band put out regardless of era.  The riffs, the vocals, the production, the pacing... it's all incredible. Essential listening.