Besatt - Demonicon

Release Date: March 2nd, 2010
Label: Undercover Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Exordium
2.  The Leader Of Fallens (Azazel)
3.  The Ninth Spirit (Paimon)
4.  Holding The Seal (Forneus)
5.  Ruthless Warrior (Moloch)
6.  Born In Flames (Asmodeus)
7.  Demon Of Destruction (Agares)
8.  Master Of Ceremonies
      (Mephistopheles)
9.  Warden Of Hell (Belzebub)

Total playing time:  33:08

April 22, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Poland’s dark lords Besatt is back with its seventh full-length titled Demonicon, which is a musical hail to some of Hell’s demon hierarchy. With each song dedicated to a specific demon, the roll call is one of particular favor and interest to the staunchest black metal connoisseur. After three years since Triumph of Antichrist, the latest page in the book of Polish black metal is a fine addition.

In the vein of countrymen Behemoth, Besatt puts Eastern Europe on the metal map yet again by delivering a convincing tribute to its legion lords in the way of nine tracks of blasphemous merriment that Belial himself might tap his infernal toes to if no one were watching. Following the impressive Triumph of Antichrist, a pretty evil piece de resistance in itself, Demonicon is a musical play where the demons in calling are the true stars, to which Besatt provides a startling score fit for a cast-out king. With black metal offered on the very gold platter it deserves, the album is a melodic, yet primitive walk on the very fine line of old and new school, save for the above-board production which sets it apart from dull contemporaries.

The moments of sheer chaotic speed over breathy, hellish vocals by bassist/vocalist Beldaroh, the only original member remaining since the band’s inception in 1991, make for one of the better black metal offerings this year. “Holding the Seal (Forneus)” is part-and-parcel of just how good this release is; it’s precisely what the genre needs in way of a shot in the arm void of these silly trends and boring, repetitive beats and pained shrieks. Other keys here are “Born in Flames,” a sincerely brutal fist to the face which is as frighteningly black as any Marduk or Vinterland effort, and “Warden of Hell (Belzebub),” which for once makes you actually fear the roly-poly pachyderm of Hades. It’s a great track rife with evil and stellar crunch driven by impressive drum patterns throughout.     

In line perfectly with the band’s already impressive discography, Demonicon is one of those collectives you can listen to more than a few times with it still retaining its resonance. The band has certainly grown from its Hail Lucifer and In Nomine Satanas recordings, which were also fine albums, even if on the primitive side of the coin. Despite being plagued with lineup changes over its existence, Besatt managed to thrive and overcome obstacles to procure its place in black metal lore, well deserved I might add.

Production-wise, the album is crisp and survives the muddy atmosphere too closely associated with even the more current black metal releases. Especially prominent are the drums, with just the right amount of bass that isn’t being buried in the mix. While not exactly Martin Mendez-esque mixed, the bass is certainly a noticeable sound in the fray, which is always a good, albeit infrequent occurrence. All over, it’s an experience most enjoyable, if a bit too short for something this good.

Black metal goodness by those pesky Easter Europeans - usually gotta love it, and this one I do!

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