Metal Underground.com

Mainman Nergal was only 14 when he formed Behemoth back in 1991. The three- piece quickly made a name for themselves in the black metal community with their second demo “From The Pagan Wastelands” (1993) and mini album “And The Forests Dream Eternally” (1994).

Behemoth’s first LP “Sventevith (Storming Near The Baltic)” came out through the Polish underground label Pagan Rec. in 1995 and gained a positive response which resulted in a new record deal with the German label Solistitium Rec. Their second album “Grom” saw the light of day in 1996 and remains their most controversial release to date, mainly because of the incorporation of female vocals and acoustic guitars.

The third release “Pandemonic Incantations” saw the addition of the very talented drummer Inferno and marked the band’s vastly improved musicianship and production. In the fall of 1998, after an extensive European tour, Behemoth signed to the Italian label Avantgarde Music. With the highly successful “Satanica” (1999), the group ventured into the realm of death metal by replacing the raspy black metal screeches with a forceful growl. Thanks to this remarkable release and the attention it gained, Behemoth secured two European tours with Deicide and Satyricon.

In the years to follow, Behemoth maintained the same pace by releasing a consistent string of intense album, which further combined their early black metal influences with the ferocity and technicality of death metal. With “Thelema.6” (2000) the band continued to expand musically and lyrically. Vocalist and lyricist Nergal was aided by poet Krzysztof Azarewicz in his efforts to achieve a sophisticated and intimate obscurity. “Thelema.6” was the first of Behemoth’s albums to be released in U.S. through Olympic Records.

Touring opportunities with bands like Nile, Morbid Angel and Carpathian Forest began to pour in. In 2001 the band made its debut at the most prestigious European summer festival- Wacken.

“Zos Kia Cultus (Here And Beyond)” was released in 2003 and furthermore established the band’s undeniable potential and creativity. Rave reviews started to flow in and Behemoth made its North American live debut at the New Jersey March Metal Meltdown festival. The several nationwide tours that followed ( with bands like Deicide, Amon Amarth, Danzig and Six Feet Under) and the release of the Conjugation EP, all helped make 2003 a breakthrough year for Behemoth.

In 2004 they released a DVD called Crush.Fukk.Create, followed by their latest studio album “Demigod” ( featuring guest appearance by Nile’s Karl Sanders). Again, it received great praise in the media. In addition, the group’s first video “Conquer All” debuted on Headbandger’s Ball.

In early 2005, Behemoth embarked on an extensive North American tour with Suffocation, King Diamond and Nile.