Behemoth
@ The Forum London
9th December 2014
Review by Ben Spencer
Photography by Jo Blackened
Altercarnated Photography
After battling against the London rush hour and being squashed up against the window of the Northern Line Tube it was time to head return the London Forum to get an early week fix of metal in the form of Behemoth.
As Winterfylleth [3.5] open up tonight’s show, the near empty venue are swept into the band’s historic Black Metal aesthetics. As the vocalist’s piercing rasps cut through the instrumentation proving within the opening minutes that they are on top form.
The band are met with a small wall of raised fists from onlookers to the opening riffs to ‘Svart Crown’. The guitars breezes past with a sonic fluidity as the melodic interlude and clean chants ascend through the mix.
Meanwhile, ‘Whisper of the Elements’ showcases the band’s post-rock edginess as the well-crafted lead guitar sections that swoop in and out effortlessly. The only downside was that their set was short and was missed by many tonights clientele were gradually beginning to congregate toward the stage area. However, these guys are certainly a band whose performance shows they are worth keeping note of as the one of the most promising UK Black Metal band’s.
Picking up where tonight’s openers left off, Grand Magus [4/5] receive an uproar of cheering fans as their unique blend of power metal charges forward with infectious guitars and soaring clean vocals.
Full of energetic lead guitars and tight sounding drumming, the band display a professional approach to songwriting that is mirrored by their impressive stage presence.
Personal favourite, ‘Triumph and Power’ pulls out some gritty bass lines as the vocals remain consistently prominent throughout.
The drumming comes with a hard-hitting tone that scales into some fret board mastery, potent enough to put anyone’s air guitar skills to shame.
‘Steel Verses Steel’ comes with cathartic guitars and steady drums, before erupting into another anthem sized powerhouse. The vocalist pulls everything together and keeps the crowd cheering back and craving for more.
Despite their more melodic sound, Grand Magus not only put on an exhilarating show they were also able to measure up to the more heavier additions on tonight’s bill in their own definitive way. Great work guys!
Next up, the anarchic sound of Decapitated [3/5] barges through with sonic driven angst as mosh pits break loose in no time at all.
The grinding guitars and speedy cymbal tapping from the drummer certainly set pulses racing as the turbulence of these guys remain unparalleled.
Decapitated keep their metallic onslaught at the forefront, making it difficult to discern one song from the next.
However, they certainly pull no punches in their with their style and remain one of the most uncompromising band’s of the evening.
Decapitated’s technical Death Metal approach works with the fans, as they remain captivated.
The constant visceral assault of riffs and with deep throated growls are enough to make any newbie’s go home and invest in their discography. Impressive stuff!
As darkness shrouds over the Forum and with fans screaming out the name of tonight’s headliners, the eerie instrumental sweeps over the venue, as Behemoth [4/5] assemble.
‘Blow Your Trumpet Gabriel’ wades in with a sinister sounding guitars with fans screaming “Hey hey hey” in anticipation.
The blood soaked vocals pulls the room into their trademark style of Blackened Death.
Next up, ‘Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer’ picks up the pace with technical drums and a more infernal growls and vibrant guitars.
The band also reveal a good use of atmosphere throughout with dense sounding wall of noise pervading throughout.
‘Slaves Shall Serve’ dishes out a destructive barrage of guitar drone and eccentric drumming, which displays their aggressive nature at their best. The guitarist also throws in plenty of impressive solos to help drive everything forward.
Meanwhile, ‘Ov Fire and the Void’ proves to be a fan favourite as the double kick pedals and demonic vocals was met by raised horns from fans. The heavy riffs reverberate with opaque vibes as the drums remain as barbaric as ever.
‘Chant of Eschaton’ carries itself in a similar manner with infectious guitars and a shuddering energy that saw head bangers uniting to the guitarist’s riff induced savagery. Vocally, this track offered a greater depth, making everything that much more chaotic.
After a brief departure, Behemoth return for an encore and blast out with ‘O Father O Satan O Sun’.
The abysmal sounding guitars and consistent drums remaining intact. This was a great choice to end of on as the room erupts into an all out applause upon the band’s departure.
Tonight featured some great bands whose styles may have been slightly different, but whose dedication to music was unquestionable.
There was a great sense of unity between the fans, and the bands gathered tonight that helped deliver that much-needed slab of Metal to see 2014 out in style.
SETLIST
1. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel
2. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
3. Conquer All
4. Decade of Therion
5. As Above So Below
6. Slaves Shall Serve
7. Christians to the Lions
8. The Satanist
9. Ov Fire and the Void
10. Furor Divinus
11. Ludzie Wschodu
12. (Siekiera cover)
13. Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
14. At the Left Hand ov God
15. Chant for Eschaton 2000
16. O Father O Satan O Sun!
