|
|
|
|
Behexen's debut album opens with a traditional black metal practice - the infernal invocation of the dark lord. For this, Behexen drafted in Nazgul von Armageddon (aka Lord Tyrant Werewolf of Satanic Warmaster, ex-Horna). When this track ends, the band blasts straight into 'Sota Valon Jumalaa Vastan' a searing track which has all of it's lyrics written in the band's native tongue.
From here, the band sweeps into 'Night Of The Blasphemy', a track loaded with catchy, but extremely grim melodies. There is a definite old school feel to what Behexen do, but there is a certain clarity of production, which allows the brutish muse of this band to flourish. The guitar work of Garagantum stands out on this album with a very distinctive sense of melody conveyed in his riffs. Drummer, Horns being the main songwriter however, can claim a lot of credit for this. His performance on the kit is nothing to be sneezed at either. Vocalist, Torog is among the harsher black metal screamers, his voice being somewhat reminiscent of Hat, the former Gorgoroth vocalist. And it is that band's spectre which seems to hang most recognisably over Behexen's sound, meaning that this is not for the faint of heart.
'Christ Forever Die' is an instant classic, with melodies which worm their way into your head in a most satisfying manner. As the album winds on, through 'Towards The Father', 'Sataan Varjon Synkkyydessa', 'Baphomet's Call', Behexen's limitations are shown more clearly. Most songs are based in roughly the same post-Gorgoroth black metal sound, so there's nothing wildly different from the norm here, but it is very well executed, and with those distinctive melodies, Behexen are one point up on most bands tilling the old school black metal furrow.
The album comes to a close with 'The Flames Of The Blasphemer', 'Blessed Be The Darkness' and 'Rituale Satanum'. None of which really show a stunning new side of the band, rather, they reveal further the band's ability to retain a uniform headspace within the context of the album. 'Rituale Satanum' is a fine debut album from these Finnish veterans (formed a decade ago) which in spite of it's limitations and occasional leanings towards a generic 'old school' sound, ultimately triumphs with the quality of the work at hand.
Editor's comment: This album was originally released by Sinister Figure Recordings in the year 2000.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Into The Summoning |
| 2. Sota Valon Jumalaa Vastan |
| 3. Night Of The Blasphemy |
| 4. Christ Forever Die |
| 5. Towards The Father |
| 6. Sataan Varjon Synkkyydessa |
| 7. Baphomet's Call |
| 8. The Flames Of The Blasphemer |
| 9. Blessed Be The Darkness |
| 10. Rituale Satanum |
: 44.13
| Buy other Behexen albums |
