Some bands are constantly changing the way they sound in order to sell records while others re-hash the same formula for years, trying to make their loyal fans stick around for one more summer tour. Then there are bands like Behemoth that are here on earth to challenge music fans by creating the most technical, the most intelligent and the goddamn fiercest songs possible. Evangelion is a force to be reckoned with; so intense and violent, it may leave a blood stain on the music world for years to come.

Produced by the talented Colin Richardson (Carcass, Napalm Death), Evangelion has the core ingredients of a classic metal album: well orchestrated song writing, a thunderstorm of riffs and rapid, tommy-gun drumming. “Ov Fire and the Void” eerily sounds like it should be playing over loud speakers in Afghanistan. This is war music; full of force, cruel intentions and pain. It’s hard to describe music this brutal; if extreme metal is not appealing to you I would suggest you run… now. Run far, far away. Clutch that Fleet Foxes CD close to your heart and don’t ever look back. For the rest of us: rejoice.

“He Who Bleeds Pestilence” is another lesson in warfare. Vocalist & guitarist Negal has the evilest growl in heavy metal, sounding like it comes from such a dark place that he doesn’t necessarily need the demonic makeup and gothic getup to be scary (though it certainly doesn’t hurt matters). Had this song been born onto earth in the early ’90s, Megadeth and Slayer would have had another titan to clash with.

[uncredited group shot via MySpace]

Behemoth is a scary group of dudes. That point has probably already been established but it begs to be repeated as “Alas, The Lord is Upon Me” begins its slow insertion into your heart, mind and soul. Believe this horrific hype or not but, please, do not play this around your kids. They will have nightmares and grow up to be socially awkward men and women (like most metal fans do) thanks to this train collision of musical desecration. It’s a stab at something a little less blistering but is all the more intimidating due to the creepy black metal riffing of Negal and guitarist Seth, conjuring the best of Immortal and Mayhem.

This is less of a record than a notion; one that displays to us how heavy music can transcend clichés in honor of integrity and how nine songs can co-exist in one band’s world, creating an out-of-bounds hell for the average listener. It’s ugly but with hints of absolute beauty, crass but far smarter than any other band playing music today.

Evangelion finds its peace at its end with aptly titled “Lucifer.” Eight minutes of plodding, banging and stomping: a teenage wet dream of the perfect metal crusher complete with a wicked solo that reminds us that at the end of the day these guys probably use terms like wicked too, in an entirely non-satanic way.

[review by guest contributor Matthew Chernus]

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