Album Type: EP
Date
Released: 24/01/2020
Label: Nuclear Blast
“Live at Maida Vale” DD track listing:
1).
Wolves Ov Siberia
2).
God = Dog
3).
Ecclesia Diabolica Catholica
4).
Bartzabel
The Review:
It’s
always a treat to review a live album, especially when it’s from a band whose
discography is one of the most prolific and iconic of the last two decades.
Preceding the tour edition of their most recent album “I Loved You at Your Darkest”, Behemoth offered a sinister preview of what’s
in store when the full release drops later this month.
Since
their establishment in the early 90s, Behemoth have moulded a caustic blend of Polish
Black Metal, Folk Metal , and Death Metal, pioneering the landscape of
provocative anti-theistic, extreme metal that can chill as much as excite.
“Live at Maida Vale” is a raw and intimate session of live
recordings, featuring a deliberate selection of tracks that best showcase Behemoth's
live musicianship. Delicate acoustic segments intertwine with crashing drum
beats, and thrashing guitars to create a melodic framework often absent in the
Black Metal genre. It’s these types of musical choices, such as using a
children’s choir to decry the injustices perceived by the singer towards God,
that elevate Behemoth
into the pantheon of extreme metal masters.
While
at times a touch quiet in the mix, the haunting choral sections are showcased
beautifully in the context of the live album, and really communicate a primal
passion behind their music, leaving the listener somber, as they draw near the
darkness. These moments of introspection give way to the rapturous cries of
lead singer Nergal, as he scream and growls over the cacophony. It’s a dynamic ebb
and flow of melody and chaos befitting of a live album.
It’s
no surprise then, that the standout track is probably the premier showcase of
this styling. “God = Dog” has found massive success in the genre with the
studio version, and when boiled down to its most basic elements, it breathes
all new life into the song. Featuring a
wide array of musical techniques, “God =
Dog” is powerful arrangement worthy of the accolade.
What
more can be said about a band like Behemoth that hasn’t already been said? They
are one of the best in the industry, and “Live at Mada Vale” is an opportunity
to hear them at their most unfiltered.
“Live
at Maida Vale” is available at all digital platforms
Band
info: facebook
