Behemoth
I, Scvlptor
Nuclear Blast
As purveyors of trve darkness in metal, Behemoth are something of an institution these days, having perfected their art over three and a half decades. While provocative in a number of aspects, their music has always been of immense quality, and their recent records suggest a continued refinement as time progresses. So, what of I, Scvlptor?
What makes I, Scvlptor such an interesting record in the band’s wider discography is how it straddles the band’s past and future. While this was entirely intentional, it is no less intriguing to listen to, especially when bands often cast their gaze to yesteryear to ape it (with seldom positive results). That this record manages to honour the band’s formative years whilst enrobing it in their current guise, truly makes it a very pleasing listen.
I, Scvlptor, also sees the band at their most raw. Where Nergal et al. produce incredible blackened death metal, their sound is enhanced with grand orchestrations and choral pieces, which is largely absent here. It is somewhat unusual, but novel in the same instance. The title track and “Lord Ov The Horizons” bristle with heretic fury, but do not lose their heft despite the dialled-down symphonics – hell, the staccato bridge on the latter is pure Behemoth, and features a delicately used choir to great effect.
Yet it is the reworkings of earlier material that pricks the ears up most. While the aforementioned two are Behemoth in 2026, “Rise Of The Blackstorm Of Evil” and “In Thy Pandemaeternum” showcase the band’s blackened roots and an ear for tasteful melodicism, especially in the former. It would be quite fascinating if the band’s revisiting of this then sparks a mini-revival in future releases – it wouldn’t be unwelcome, that’s for sure!
https://www.facebook.com/behemoth
Reviewed By Lee Carter