Formed in 1991 by enigmatic frontman and guitarist Adam “Nergal” Darski, Behemoth played a pivotal role in Poland’s renowned extreme metal scene. Although their roots lie unquestionably in black metal, Nergal’s distinctive vision transformed them into one of the most unique groups of the last few decades.
The band’s early releases, “Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)” (1995) and “Grom” (1996), established Behemoth as a force to be reckoned with in the underground metal scene. However, it was with albums like the groundbreaking ‘Satanica’ (1999) and ‘Thelema.6’ (2000) that catapulted them onto the international stage, gaining acclaim for the ferocious intensity and intricate musicianship.
Nergal’s deep interest in the occult and mythology became integral to Behemoth’s identity, evident in both their lyrics and visual aesthetics. The release of “Demigod” in 2004 marked a pivotal moment, not only for the band, but for extreme metal as a whole.
Despite facing controversy and legal challenges in their native country, Behemoth continued to push boundaries with albums like “The Apostasy” (2007) and, of course, “The Satanist” (2014), the latter earning them not only critical acclaim but also topped many lists with the best metal records of the decade.
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