I like Behemoth, but they are inconsistent. Their last album was great, but the two before that got a great deal of critical praise but were not worth the hype. I think they peaked with "Evangelion". Though they are getting back to an older, more epic death metal sound with this album, so perhaps this course corrects with a payoff. I think they are better as a death metal band, and the larger-than-life sound does not work for black metal, as they are often not atmospheric enough. I appreciate the more melodic notions that haunt "Sowing Salt."
The title track is massive and dark, with a great deal of purpose to its waltzing stomp. Nergal's vocals are typically very deliberate, rather than an afterthought, which is one thing I have always liked about them. I think the vocals work really well here, and their songwriting feels catchier on this album so far. "Lvciferaeon" works pretty well too, it's not as catchy as the previous song, but is not just guitars hammering you. There is more of a black metal feel to "Drown the Svn in Wine." That said, it's more aggressive but not as catchy as the previous songs. There is more of a throb to "Nomen Barbarvm." This leans the song more in the direction of black metal.
"O Venvs Come" is darker with its creepy mid-paced march. In terms of dynamic songwriting, it builds on the ever-aching pulse, with the drums controlling things rather than a clear-cut verse-chorus framework, but still manages to work. The last song finds the momentum shifting into a double bass charge as things accelerate into a more aggressive speed than the previous song, though it's not as interesting. This is not to say it does not work; I prefer the mood of the previous song, but their fan base should dig this one as well. I will give this one a 9.5, as it works for what they do, it's as big and epic as their earlier work, and delivers what you want from these guys.
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