Review by Fernando on June 4, 2022.

Behemoth, nowadays they’re the biggest black metal band out there, and once upon a time they were celebrated as pioneers of the Polish black metal scene, and later praised for popularizing blackened death metal. However, ever since their 2014 magnum opus The Satanist, the band seems to have developed a hatedom due to how popular they have become, surpassing even Dark Funeral and Dimmu Borgir, and that peaked with their 2018 record I Loved You At Your Darkest, which has since become the most divisive and scrutinized record in black metal. However, I usually don’t buy into hype or anti-hype and since Behemoth are preparing to release a new album this year, I figured I might as well go back to this often praised and maligned little record.

I’ll start with my gripes with the album, which aren’t many but are worth pointing out, which is that it is definitely less aggressive than The Satanist, while at the same time following that record’s style and overall atmosphere. Furthermore, while I can appreciate Behemoth’s intent of going “bigger” than they did in The Satanist, by bringing in symphonic instrumentation, and even choirs (which yes, includes the often mocked and disparaged children’s choir in the intro track and lead single 'God = Dog'), the fact that it permeates through the entire album makes the music sound somewhat overwrought and even pretentious.

Finally its of course how this record does come off as The Satanist 2: Blasphemic Boogaloo, and while I wouldn’t call it a “The Satanist B-sides” as some people have decried it as, I do agree that the ideas and themes here are more of the same from The Satanist; blasphemic anthems about Satan, Christ, the hypocrisy of the church and references to ol’ Al Crowley for good measure. Also, this is seemingly the first record where long time collaborator a co-lyricist Krzysztof Azarewicz didn’t contribute and in some areas it shows. Nergal is a very good lyricist on his own, but for a record that follows the path of its predecessor, the lack or diminished presence of poetic flair and Biblical literacy that Azarewicz has always added, is missed, although, and to Nergal’s credit, he does have a knack for chant-worthy hooks and choruses.

So, while I Loved You At Your Darkest does lack in some areas, especially when compared to The Satanist and even Evangelion, does that mean the “haters” are right? No, because while not as fresh and unique as The Satanist, ILYAYD is still a pretty good record and at its best, it showcases how Behemoth can evolve by pivoting from The Satanist. What I personally enjoy the most of this record and what’s its biggest strength is how the songwriting and music seems to be heavily inspired by gothic rock and post-punk, as well as Nergal’s country and blues project Me And That Man. This can be heard in tracks like 'Sabbath Mater', 'If Crucifixion Was Not Enough…' and 'Rom 5:8' where the drumming and bass work of Inferno and Orion respectively are the major backbone of the songs, and the guitars add flair in the solo work. Furthermore and in direct contrast from The Satanist, the music is also much more progressive and symphonic second single 'Bartzabel' is the biggest example of this, and it also applies to the best song in the entire album 'Havohej Pantocrator', both songs are sprawling epics with massive riffs and melodies and grand atmospheres.

However, and in spite of all the unorthodox experimenting the band did in this record, they certainly haven’t lost or downplayed their blackened touch, as the rest of the tracks are predominantly blast beat driven and riff heavy ragers with occasional moments of the weird experimenting and genre bending I highlighted in the major tracks. And while having those two very specific mood might somewhat make the album formulaic, the band do a good job of balancing both styles and also succeed and being consistent and at 46 minutes the album is substantial and enjoyable, though in my opinion the track 'We Are The Next 1000 Years' is the least interesting track and it's something of a fizzling way to close the album, and that feeling was worsened when the band released their A Forest EP which had a much better closing track, but I digress.

Overall, if Behemoth has had so much success, it is definitely off the back of The Satanist and I Loved You At Your Darkest, and while I can agree it is flawed, I have to absolutely disagree with the vitriol this album has gotten, since the best aspect of this album is how Behemoth once again, succeed in evolving, even if this album is one step forward, and two lateral steps from The Satanist.

Best tracks: 'Bartzabel', 'Sabbath Mater', 'Havohej Pantocrator', 'Rom 5:8'

Rating: 8 out of 10