Released by: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: April 13th, 2018
Genre: Black Metal
Links: http://behemoth.pl/
Line Up:
Adam “Nergal” Darski – lead vocals, guitars
Zbigniew “Inferno” Promi?ski – drums
Tomasz “Orion” Wróblewski – bass, backing vocals
Patryk “Seth” Sztyber – guitars, backing vocals
Tracklist:
1. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel
2. Furor Divinus
3. Messe Noire
4. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
5. Amen 3:54 6. The Satanist
7. Ben Sahar
8. In The Absence Ov Light
9. O Father O Satan O Sun!
I find it ironic to be reviewing the latest Behemoth live album Messe Noir. Why is it ironic you ask? The first time I saw them was on the free Ozzfest back in 2007 (the only one I ever attended.) I watched their whole set despite not being a fan of their sound prior to the festival while doing my research and absolutely hated them. Of course, this pre-dates when I finally pulled my head out of my ass and started getting into the more extreme side of metal. The last time I saw them live, they were headlining at the legendary yet now-defunct Charlotte NC club Tremont Music Hall, and was one of the best live shows I’d seen not just at that club, but probably ever. It would easily fall into my Top 10 for sure. There was something about the atmosphere the band set with their look, and this dark and brutal sound, it just worked perfectly. Clearly, I’d also become a fan of their music too.
Messe Noir gives you at least the audio feel of being at their show. Taken from a Russian stop on their tour for their fantastic last studio release The Satanist. In fact, this is the album performed in its entirety. Their transformation from Black Metal act to more Blackened Death Metal has certainly appealed to me more as Black Metal still doesn’t do it for me most of the time. However, listening to this album, you realize just how blackened they truly are. Nergal and Seth’s guitar style accompanies each other quite well. It’s been a while since I’ve not only seen them live but really listened to anything from them, so to hear the solos and crushing riffs reminds me just how great they are. I would have loved to watch the DVD of this as well, as just the audio, as spectacular as it is, really is missing that evil imagery they bring to the stage.
Behemoth is about to embark on the final Slayer tour as support for them. I wish I was going to be able to see the show, but it doesn’t appear that I will make it. I guess I’ll settle for Messe Noir, and hope that the next time Behemoth comes my way I will be able to make it. Live lovers and completest fans will likely grab this, and those that adored The Satanist as much as I did will want to add this to their collection, otherwise, it’s just your typical live album, though it doesn’t sound like it was messed with in the studio. It sounds pretty accurate to how they sound.
Score: 7 out of 10
Reviewed by Chris Martin