Until the late 1990s, the band played a traditional black metal style with heathen lyrical content, but soon changed to that of occult and thelemic themes written by their lead vocalist Nergal and Krzysztof Azarewicz. With the 1999 release of Satanica, the band demonstrated their presence in the death metal scene, while retaining their own signature style characterized by the drum work of Inferno, multi-layered vocals and Middle-Eastern influences. Despite Behemoth having been labeled as death metal or thrash metal-influenced, Nergal has mentioned that he does not like the band to be labeled.
Behemoth was formed in 1991 as a trio, with Nergal on guitar and vocals, Baal on the drums, and Desecrator on the guitar. They started with the demos Endless Damnation, and The Return of the Northern Moon.The most significant however, was the third demo—...From the Pagan Vastlands (1993). This tape was released by Polish label Pagan Records and later on by the American Wild Rags. Their next release was Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic) in 1995. A year later, they recorded their second album Grom, which was released in 1996. Grom features many different influences and musical styles, using female vocals as well as acoustic guitars and synthesizers. At the same time, Behemoth finally got a chance to play live shows in its native country and finally tour around Europe, gaining stage experience. Two years later, the band recorded a third album, titled Pandemonic Incantations. The culmination of their increasing presence and metal media set a new standard for them.However, due to a lack of promotion, the album was not well-publicized. After another extensive tour, Behemoth signed a two-album deal with Italy's Avantgarde Music in the fall of 1998. The first result of this new collaboration was the successful album Satanica, on which the black metal sound had evolved into blackened death metal.
The label also secured two European tours for the band in support of Deicide and Satyricon respectively. During that period, Behemoth had to go through some line-up changes and had problems with their ex-Polish label. By the time Satanica came out, Inferno and Les were out of the band. Nergal began looking for new members but could not find a new drummer. Inferno returned to the band in early 2000, along with new members Novy (formerly known from Devilyn, Vader and Dies Irae), who handled the bass duties, and Havok, who became the band's guitarist. After the line-up changes Behemoth signed with the Polish label Mystic Production. The follow-up release to Satanica was Thelema.6. Massive guitar parts and precise drumming, with influences from different sources, saw them progress further towards blackened death metal.
Thelema.6 was supported by the worldwide press and media,including official releases in Russia and Brazil for the first time. Continuing the support for Thelema.6, Behemoth appeared in several prestigious live events like Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Inferno Metal Festival, Mystic Festival, and Mind Over Matter Autumn. They started first their headlining tour alongside with Carpathian Forest and Khold, followed by a festival tour in Poland.
Controversy
In July 2007, the All-Polish Committee for Defense Against Sects distributed to many Polish officials a list of bands that allegedly promote Satanism and murder. Critics of this policy primarily see this as a violation of free speech. The list has not gone into effect, and Behemoth were allowed to play in Poland freely. This changed in October 2014 when Behemoth was banned to perform in Poznań.In May 2014, the group was expelled from Russia.
Band members
Current members
Adam "Nergal" Darski – lead vocals, guitars (1991–present)
Zbigniew "Inferno" Promiński – drums (1997–1999, 2000–present)
Tomasz "Orion" Wróblewski – bass, backing vocals (2003–present)
Current session/live members
Patryk "Seth" Sztyber – guitars, backing vocals (2004–present)
Former members
Adam "Baal Ravenlock" Muraszko – drums (1991–1996)
Adam "Desecrator" Malinowski – guitars (1991–1992)
Rafał "Frost" Brauer – guitars (1993–1994)
Sławomir "Orcus" Kolasa – bass (1993)
Leszek "Les" Dziegielewski – guitars (1999), bass (1995–1997, 1998–1999)
Mefisto – bass (1997–1998)
Mateusz "Havoc" Śmierzchalski – guitars, backing vocals (2000–2003)
Session/live members
Marcin "Novy" Nowak – bass (2000–2003)
Live members
Bartłomiej "Bruno" Waruszewski – bass (1999)
Istvan Lendvay – bass (2003)
Michał "Stoker" Stopa – guitars (2004)
Adam Sierżęga – drums (2013)
Kerim "Krimh" Lechner – drums (2013)
Discography
Studio albums
Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic) (1995)
Grom (1996)
Pandemonic Incantations (1998)
Satanica (1999)
Thelema.6 (2000)
Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond) (2002)
Demigod (2004)
The Apostasy (2007)
Evangelion (2009)
The Satanist (2014)
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