Poland’s Behemoth need no introduction. They are the largest underground Black/death metal act. Often polarising with their high profile, they have scant regard for critics and the organised mainstream. For 34 years and three distinct periods, album number 13, The Shit Ov God and contender for worst alum title of the year continues their openly blasphemous Satanic themes that began with their magnum opus The Satanist in 2014.
The Shit ov God is a contradiction in terms. The shock and awe intention of the title, along with its title track (easily the most accessible Behemoth song to date) and oft-repeated chorus, has just the opposite effect; it’s blasphemous, with overtly evil intentions towards organised religion, yet the result leaves you somewhat numb and dumbfounded. They might be at the highest point in terms of popularity and T-shirt sales, yet this is artistically bereft. However, the musicianship and execution is flawless, Inferno’s percussion is simply superb, along with the excellent guitar work. It’s intense, bombastic, with choirs, symphonic atmosphere, and guitar tradeoffs over huge rhythms. Yet the fire and energy are missing, at only eight tracks, it feels unfinished, cobbled together and feels workmanlike – a band in cruise control. The intellect and sophistication you come to expect have become a blunt object; it’s still extreme but any trace of subtlety is gone, it feels like a shift towards a new market, where style rules over substance. Everything is simply ok ‘The Shadow Elite’ and ‘’ Nomen Barbarvm’ show promise but disappear without a trace, and the less said about the title track, the better. The buzzword for this album (and t-shirt) has been cringe, something that is unintentionally experienced when listening to this album.
Easily the hardest album to review being such a long avid fan of the band each release is heralded with excitement, and I wanted this to be awesome, objectivity be damned and love it because its Behemoth! But even the Divisive ‘I Loved You at Your Darkest’ has more ideas than this. Nergal has declared this release to “deliberate and polarising statement” and a “defiant plunge into the depths” .’’If this were to be our final album, I could say I die a proud man” I certainly hope this is not the case If ” The Shit Ov God” is the bands musical epitaph it is a disappointing one at best from a band capable of so, so much more.
Behemoth: Facebook
Release Year: 2025
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Category: Album
Country: Poland
Reviewed by Sparky
