A pretty strong debut, and for a pure BM album, it's pretty effective. Although Nergal's vocals have changed dramatically since the release of this album, they do add to the atmosphere created by the other instruments. I personally don't see what 'The touch of Nya' and 'Ancient' are even doing on this album, but for me it cuts the flow a little bit. Nonetheless, this album will certainly please fans of Behemoth's "blacker" material.

This is my all-time favourite black metal album. What bother me most with most black metal albums is that all of the songs often sounds too similar. On this album you find more variation, and it has some element from most of the black metal sub-genre. It is quite brutal, but also quite melodic, it has some semi-symphonic elements, an accoustic interlude, a dark atmosphere, and also some almost ambient stuff.

The change of pace with Hell Dwells In Ice is great.

How can this album have such a incredibly low rating? This album is amazing raw and atmospheric black metal

Written by Aristarchos on 28.02.2013 at 18:39

This is my all-time favourite black metal album. What bother me most with most black metal albums is that all of the songs often sounds too similar. On this album you find more variation, and it has some element from most of the black metal sub-genre. It is quite brutal, but also quite melodic, it has some semi-symphonic elements, an accoustic interlude, a dark atmosphere, and also some almost ambient stuff.

I wouldn't say it is my absolute favourite, since I listened to it just recently, but it really is a black metal materpiece. BM Behemoth > DM Behemoth

Seriously decent. I wonder if Behemoth will release one day a black metal album again.

It's a very solid debut. Pretty standard in terms of riffs but it does the job fairly well. Specially enjoy the small sections mixed with acoustic vocals with the first track being the best example.