Behemoth

Biography :

BEHEMOTH have set “Evangelion” as the title of their ninth hell breaking opus. A Greek word meaning “spreading the good news” or “spreading the words of God”, its use is often related to biblical stories of the salvation of mankind, the sacrificial death of Jesua and his later resurrection. BEHEMOTH choose to use the word in it’s purest, etymological context, without any Christian connotations - the time of spreading good news has come indeed. This is the Evangelion Of The New Eon.

Representing a whole new spectrum of strength, creativity and determination, “Evangelion” is the album to undoubtedly lead this Polish mob to the peak of the extreme metal genre. Always a band for disrespecting the boundaries of self-limitation (indeed, evil has no boundaries), these metal luminaries have returned with fury and vengeance. Recorded in the band’s hometown Radio Gdansk studio with Wieslawscy Brothers and Daniel Bergstrand (drums) in the producers chair, and a stunning mix courtesy of the legendary Colin Richardson (Machine Head, Slipknot, Carcass), the final result is a beast of an album, and one that will tear any competition to shreds.

Expectations are high for BEHEMOTH with what many are citing as their breakthrough album. Indeed, the band have already stolen a Golden God at this year’s Metal Hammer Awards for “Best Underground Band”, as well as securing first place in Terrorizer’s readers polls (“Best Live Band”, “Best Vocalist”, Best Drummer”). But this is not an overnight success story. BEHEMOTH have been together for close to 19 years now. Formed by a teenage Nergal in 1991, BEHEMOTH quickly made a name for themselves in black metal circuits with early cult releases “Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)”, “…And The Forests Dream Eternally” mini CD, and “Grom”. Third full length “Pandemonic Incantations” saw the addition of drum monster Inferno, at which point the band started to realise their full potential. Slowly evolving with increasingly impressive musicianship and songwriting, as well as ever-imporoving production values, the band amassed a solid and dedicated fanbase with such highly acclaimed albums as “The Apostasy” and “Demigod”, as well as some very high profile tours, including runs with acts such as Dimmu Borgir, Deicide, Amon Amarth, Opeth, In Flames, Trivium, Morbid Angel, Chimaira, and, most notably, 2007’s Ozzfest where the band’s unrelenting energy, savage brutality and uncompromising vision made them the breakthrough artist of the tour.

In support of their 9th full-length, BEHEMOTH will be hitting the road with Slayer and Marilyn Manson as part of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival tour, the hottest US tour of the summer, and one that is bound to see them increase their dedicated fanbase even further. Out to consistently push the envelope and top previous efforts, BEHEMOTH have with “Evangelion” delivered an extreme metal masterpiece set to drop the jaws of all who hear it. Stay tuned and beware - Evangelion is here!

History :

Behemoth was formed in 1991 as a trio, with Nergal on guitar and vocals, Baal on the drums, and Desecrator on the guitar. They started with the demos Endless Damnation, and The Return of the Northern Moon[5]. The most significant however, was the third demo—...From the Pagan Vastlands (1993). This tape was released by Polish label Pagan Records and later on by the American Wild Rags. Their next release was Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic) in 1995. A year later, they recorded their second album Grom, which was released in 1996. Grom features many different influences and musical styles, using female vocals as well as acoustic guitars and synthesizers. At the same time, Behemoth finally got a chance to play live shows in its native country and finally tour around Europe, gaining stage experience. Two years later, the band recorded a third album, titled Pandemonic Incantations. The cumilation of their increasing presence and metal media set a new standard for them.[6] However, due to a lack of promotion, the album was not well-publicized. After another extensive tour, Behemoth signed a two-album deal with Italy's Avantgarde Music in the fall of 1998. The first result of this new collaboration was the successful[7] album Satanica, on which the black metal sound had evolved into blackened death metal.

The label also secured two European tours for the band in support of Deicide and Satyricon respectively. During that period, Behemoth had to go through some line-up changes and had problems with their ex-Polish label. The new members then were Novy (formerly known from Devilyn, now in Vader, Dies Irae), who handled the bass duties, and Havok, who became the band's guitarist. After the line-up changes Behemoth signed with the Polish label Mystic. The follow-up release to Satanica was Thelema.6. Massive guitar parts and precise drumming, with influences from different sources, saw them progress further towards[8][9] blackened death metal.

Thelema.6 was supported by the worldwide press and media[10], including official releases in Russia and Brazil for the first time. Continuing the support for Thelema.6, Behemoth appeared in several prestigious live events like Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Inferno Metal Festival, Mystic Festival, and Mind Over Matter Autumn. They started first their headlining tour alongside with Carpathian Forest and Khold, followed by a festival tour in Poland (Thrash em All Fest. with Vader and Krisiun, among others).

In 2001, Behemoth focused on writing new material for a sixth studio album. Meantime, they completed their second headlining tour in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Having completed the recording of their new songs, Behemoth entered Hendrix Studio for the second time, with help of their friend and sound engineer Arkadiusz Malczewski, and produced Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond).

In February 2003, the band started their first tour in Norway, playing in cities such as Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger. On March 11, 2003, the American premiere, scheduled by Century Media Records, headlined Behemoth's first appearance in the American continent. The tour started on the 9th of March at the New Jersey's Metalfest and continued with a decent amount[11] of shows across America and Canada, with the company of Deicide, Revenge, Vehemence and Amon Amarth. Shortly after doing their first US tour the band was invited to join the Blackest of the Black Tour by Glenn Danzig. The already legendary festival included acts like Danzig, Superjoint Ritual, Nile, and Opeth. In the fall of 2003, Behemoth flew over to US to complete their third tour with Six Feet Under, Skinless and Black Dahlia Murder. The band then played at the Tuska Festival in Finland with Ministry, Soulfly, among others. At that time, due to some line up difficulties, Nergal parted his ways with Havok and Novy, who decided to focus on activities with their own bands. Eventually, the band resumed touring in the UK and Europe.

In 2004, their seventh studio album, Demigod was released to good critical response. Recorded at the Hendrix Studios, the album debuted at number 15 on the national Polish album charts. Music videos for the songs "Conquer All" and "Slaves Shall Serve" were also shot. In fall 2005 the band headlined the Demigod supremacy Canadian tour 2005 with Necronomicon.

In 2007, the band toured Europe alongside Napalm Death, Moonspell and Dew-Scented. Behemoth released their eighth studio album The Apostasy in July of that year. It was recorded at Radio Gdańsk studio in December, 2006. Shortly after the release of The Apostasy, the band was featured as one of Ozzfest 2007's second stage headliners, one of the four non-US bands playing that year.[12] In October/November 2007, they played their first US headlining tour alongside Job for a Cowboy, Gojira, and Beneath the Massacre.[13] In October/November 2007 the band toured Europe alongside Canadian death metal combo Kataklysm and Belgium's Aborted.


In February 2008 Behemoth began a headlining tour along with Suicide Silence. In April/May 2008 the band toured North America as part of "The Invaluable Darkness" tour with Keep of Kalessin and headliner Dimmu Borgir. Behemoth spent the summer playing a number of prominent festivals all over Europe.

In October 2008, Behemoth released their first live album, At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy. Also, an EP called Ezkaton was released featuring a re-recorded version of Chant for Eschaton 2000, one new song, two covers, and three live songs. The EP has been released in North America on November 11.

In March 2009, the band suggested that the new album, due in the summer, would be produced by British producer Colin Richardson.[14] Behemoth released its 9th full length album entitled "Evangelion" on August 9 via Nuclear Blast in Europe and August 11 via Metal Blade in US.[15] Shemhamforash, a track from this album was released in July 2009 on their Myspace page.[16]

In July and August 2009, Behemoth participated in the Rockstar Mayhem Festival alongside a variety of metal bands such as Slayer, Bullet for My Valentine, All That Remains, Trivium, Marilyn Manson, Cannibal Corpse and Job for a Cowboy. In September 2009 Behemoth headlined the "New Evangelion" Polish tour alongside Azarath, Black River and Hermh.[17]

In January 2010 Behemoth toured North America during "Evangelia Amerika Tour". In March they toured Europe with shows in Scandinavia, Greece and Turkey. In April Behemoth toured Japan, Australia and New Zealand. In May they started European "Evangelion Summer Campaign 2010" with shows on open-air festivals in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Poland. In June and July they toured France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia and Croatia with Decapitated and Ex Deo. In July and August they performed on next open-air festivals, in Czech Republic and Poland.

In August 2010 Nergal was rushed to a hospital and was diagnosed with leukemia. It has been reported that his leukemia is so advanced, that chemotherapy can't help him. His fiancée, Doda, has donated bone marrow, although it's not yet known whether her DNA will match his.[18] Behemoth have been forced to cancel all next shows in August including Sonisphere Festival in Finland, concerts in Russia and Baltic States in September and October, and their North American tour "Lawless States of Heretika" with Watain, Withered and Black Anvil in November and December.

A new Behemoth's live DVD "Evangelia Heretika" will be released in November 2010.


Band Members :

Current members :

Behemoth at Empik in 2009. From left to right: Zbigniew Promiński, Tomasz Wróblewski and Adam Darski.

* Adam "Nergal" Darski – lead vocals, guitars, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, programming (1991–present) bass guitar (1991–1992, 1993–1997, 1999–present)
* Tomasz "Orion" Wróblewski – bass guitar, vocals (2004–present)
* Zbigniew Robert "Inferno" Promiński – drums and percussion (1997–present)
* Patryk "Seth" Sztyber – guitars, backing vocals (2004–present)

Former members :

Guitar :

* Leszek "L.Kaos" Dziegielewski (1995–1996, 1998–1999)
* Adam "Desecrator" Malinowski (1991–1992)
* Mateusz "Havoc" Smierzchalski (2000–2004)

Bass

* Rafał "Frost / Browar" Brauer (1992–1993)
* Mefisto (–1998)
* Orcus (1993)
* Marcin "Novy" Nowak (2000–2003)

Behemoth (1991)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
* Baal Ravenlock – drums

(1991–1992)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
* Baal Ravenlock – drums
* Desecrator – guitar

(1992)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
* Baal Ravenlock – drums
* Desecrator – guitar
* Obscure Perversion – session bass guitar

(1992–1993)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
* Baal Ravenlock – drums
* Baeon von Orcus – bass guitar

(around 1993)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar
* Baal Ravenlock – drums
* Frost – guitar
* Baeon von Orcus – bass guitar

(around 1993)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar
* Baal Ravenlock – drums
* Frost – bass guitar
* Marduk – guitar

(1993–1995)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
* Baal Ravenlock – drums
* Frost – guitar

(1995–1996)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
* Baal Ravenlock – drums

(1996–1997)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar
* Baal Ravenlock – drums
* Les Chaos – bass guitar

(1997–1999)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar
* Inferno – drums
* Mefisto – bass guitar

(1999)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar
* Inferno – drums
* Les Chaos – bass guitar

(2000–2003)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar
* Inferno – drums
* Novy – session bass guitar
* Havoc – guitar

(2003)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar
* Inferno – drums
* Istvan – session bass guitar
* Havoc – guitar

(2003–2004)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar
* Inferno – drums
* Orion – session bass guitar
* Havoc – guitar

(2004–present)

* Nergal – vocals, guitar
* Inferno – drums
* Orion – bass guitar
* Seth – session guitar

Drums

* Adam "Baal" Ravenlock" Muraszko (1991–1997)

Session keyboard

* Piotr Weltrowski
* Maciej Niedzielski
* Robert "Rob Darken" Fudali (1992–1994)