behemoth_2009_11

» Behemoth 2009 11 18

Reviewed by Martin
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Special guest: Devildriver, Scar Symmetry, Arsis
City: Malmö, Sweden
Venue: KulturBolaget
Date: 18 November 2009
Arsis set length: 35 minutes
Scar Symmetry set length: 45 minutes
Devildriver set length: 60 minutes
Behemoth set length: 60 minutes

Behemoth

Under the somewhat cheesy tour name Neckbreakers Ball, Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth, has annihilated Europe alongside Devildriver, melodic death metallers Scar Symmetry and Arsis.

The tour name aside - there was nothing cheesy about the sheer onslaught that Behemoth with eerie mastermind Nergal delivered this evening at Malmoe's KulturBolaget. That this band knows how to create a feeling of foreboding doom was demonstrated by the really tasteful lighting of the venue. Before the band came on, the stage was lit in a spooky blue light which in combination with the eerie backtrack really set the mood of the show. A huge backdrop partially blocked from view by Infernos massive drum-kit depicts the cover of the latest offering of the band, "Evangelion".

When Nergal, Seth, Orion and Inferno take to the stage, they do so in a manner of demons come to deliver nothing but death. The other bands concerts all had some manner of catering to the audience. This feeling is absent during Behemoth's set - they have not come to please, they have come to rule. Nergal's insistent on that the audience follow his every command of screaming, banging and moshing - his stagepresence was just awesome.

Quite naturally, the band has picked a few songs from "Evangelion" - they open with the first single (yes you read right) Ov Fire And The Void, a crushing number that combines heaviness with some kick-ass drumming by Inferno who, as always, is a sheer monster behind his kit. Alas, Lord Is Upon Me, Lucifer and the astounding Shemhamforash amply demonstrates that Behemoth has really honed their songwriting to such insane levels that I'm left stupefied.

Although the band treats the audience to some very good songs the dimension that takes a good concert to the next level just isn't there this night. This has little to do with the band itself, but the crowd is perhaps beginning to feel a bit tired after three bands that have all played their hearts out. At times there is silence when the band are switching guitars and basses, a factor that quite naturally brings down the experience somewhat.

Nevertheless, the combination of some kick-ass songs and Nergals commanding stagepresence makes this concert a gig to remember.

7 chalices of 10

(sorry, no setlist)