Review BEHEMOTH “I, Scvlptor”

Behemoth are one of the major names in black metal, and with I, Scvlptor, Nergal and the band present a new release. This isn’t exactly a brand-new album, but there is still plenty here to enjoy.

I, Scvlptor features eight tracks in total, consisting of seven studio recordings and one live performance. The title track opens the release with a monumental mid-tempo stomp that feels like something only Behemoth could deliver. The song was already released as a single with a video and connects the band’s earlier days with where they stand today.

Next up is “Lord ov the Horizons,” which carries a similar sense of drama to the opener. It begins in a restrained yet eerie fashion, with clean vocals adding another layer of intensity. As the track develops, its harsher moments reveal a vicious riff monster being unleashed on the listener. At the end of I, Scvlptor, you’ll also find an alternate version of the song that sounds rougher and less polished.

Then we get two tracks we have heard before. “Rise of the Blackstorm of Evil” and “In Thy Pandemaeternum” come from the band’s early years. Originally released in the ’90s, both songs have been re-recorded by Nergal and the band, giving them more power while preserving their original spirit. It’s particularly interesting to hear just how much potential Behemoth already had back then—and how naturally these songs fit alongside the newer material.

The fact that Venom and Bathory have had a major influence on Behemoth’s sound should come as no surprise. So it makes perfect sense that the band would take on the Venom classic “In League With Satan.” It’s a very convincing version that stays relatively close to the original while still carrying a clear Behemoth signature. And yes, that particular combination of black metal history and Behemoth’s own attitude is enough to put a hellish grin on your face.

As mentioned, I, Scvlptor also includes a live recording. This one is a tribute to Bathory, with Behemoth tearing through “The Return of Darkness and Evil” as if there were no tomorrow. The performance captures the raw force that lies at the heart of black metal and gives the track a powerful live edge.

I, Scvlptor is certainly more of a compilation than a completely new Behemoth album. Even so, this release has plenty of new material and interesting elements to offer. It works very well as a bridge until we can finally get our hands on a new Behemoth full-length, and it should appeal to collectors as well as fans of quality black metal.

Horns up.