Review Summary: Satans cloven hooves crashing down.
"Demigod" is a big stylistic step for Behemoth. It's the album that finally crossed the threshold between death metal and black metal, and helped bridge the gap between. It is nothing short of crushingly heavy, and equally sinister, retaining death and black metals strongest features very well. Nergal has powerful demonic vocals that invoke chaos on the album, the blast beats are relentless, and the guitar riffs are headbanging. Maybe this album isn't a black/death metal masterpiece, but it is no more than a step down from one.
The best examples off this album would be "Slaves Shall Serve" and "Conquer All". In both cases the vocals are very sinister from enraged throaty roars layered on one another to the thunderous drum patterns. They are perfect examples of the hellishness this album pulsates. Despite the insane power and heaviness present on this album, however, it's not exactly the most technical. Although there are occasional tempo changes, it becomes clear the album is focused on power and primal rage over flashiness. However, the riffs are simply too crushing and the instruments compliment each other to well enough that much technicality isn't needed.
That being said, although the album might be mostly bash, it's one of the most sinister yet catchy death/black metal albums out there. And perhaps that is the greatest thing about this album-It never loses sight of its Satanic roots or heaviness, but its still incredibly catchy and anthemic. An example would be "Conquer All" and, to an extent "The Reigns of Shemsu-Hor". The music as a whole is simple enough to chant to without leaving a sense of shallowness, like the songs are only good on the surface. From the chorus off of "Conquer all", to the ancient, dreadful feeling drum build up in " The Reigns of Shemsu-Hor", the album is constantly breaking the boundaries of heaviness while retaining an almost infectious catchiness.
"Demigod" is probably among Behemoth's best albums. It shows how extreme music can still be catchier than a pop song stripped of any substance, while retaining a sense of originality. Although the musicianship in itself is great, it is how Behemoth straddles these three lines that makes this album incredible. Once again, the album isn't the most technical, but it still manages to break down genre walls with ease, creating roaring chants along the way.
