1	POST-GOD NIRVANA
2	MALARIA VVLGATA
3	THE DEATHLESS SUN
4	OV MY HERCULEAN EXILE
5	NEO-SPARTACVS
6	DISINHERITANCE
7	OFF TO WAR!
8	ONCE UPON A PALE HORSE
9	THY BECOMING ETERNAL
10	VERSVS CHRISTVS

Behemoth

Opvs Contra Natvram

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Genre: Extreme Metal.
Released: 16/09/2022
Via Nuclear Blast

Album Review: Behemoth – Opvs Contra Natvram

From headlining Bloodstock Open Air to getting ready for a massive Co-Headline Tour with Arch Enemy across Europe, Behemoth is the name on all extreme metal fans’ minds right now and with ‘Opvs Contra Natvram’ upon us, what’s stopping their momentum? The band have a knack for getting in the news whether it’s for their music or being put on trial for Blasphemy (No I’m not joking) so forgive me for wanting to see what all the commotion was about. Here are my thoughts on their new album!

Tense and gloomy is how ‘Post God Nirvana’ set’s the mood for the record. Behemoth are no strangers to using atmospheric element’s in their music to add an extra layer to their art and this song is no exception to that. The uncertainty is broken by a demonic vocal scream from Nergal. As the song continues, the scene becomes more vivid in the listener’s mind. You are no longer on earth, you are in Behemoth’s world now and they are in control. The song flows seamlessly into ‘Malaria Vulgata’ which unleashes a Black Metal assault upon the listener. A short yet explosive entry into the album that captures a lot of the Behemoth essence and uses it to deliver a chaotic yet structured track.

Following on from that is ‘The Deathless Sun’ which opens with majestic harmonies from the finest quarters of hell itself. Blast beats and demonic gutturals are all you could ask for from a Behemoth track and this is chocked to the brim with both! ‘Ov My Herculean Exile’ is up next and this track just sounds evil. Its instrumental alone will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing on edge and then the vocals come in and you know you’re in trouble. Sinister is an understatement and Behemoth has made a track that will have the church praying for its extinction.

The sinister undertones don’t stop there however as ‘Neo Spartacus’ bring’s out that iconic Behemoth sound and elevates the record to the next level while ‘Disinheritance’ channels a much more raw feel that is reminiscent of some of the band’s earlier work. ‘Off To War!’ Once again utilizes an atmospheric feel in its instrumental that gives the words Nergal sings a tonne of life and power.

Despite the album nearing an end, ‘Once Upon A Pale Horse’ add’s a much more in-your-face attitude that isn’t the norm for the band. The instrumental almost comes across as a much more brass and hard-hitting one with a constant beat that will certainly have you nodding along to it. It’s a surprising change but a welcome one. Don’t fear however as ‘Thy Becoming Eternal’ snaps right back to the extreme metal you’ve all been craving. A tonne of diversity and contrasting themes reside within this track and it makes for one hell of a listen.

Closing out the album is the track ‘Versus Christus’ which as you could expect, is demonic in nature and sound. Opening with harrowing vocals over a softly played piano may be one of the creepiest openings to a song to date. The song slowly builds before unleashing one last blast of extreme metal from the bowels of hell. What other way did you expect this album to end?

Dark and twisted in nature yet an incredible listen is how I’d describe ‘Opvs Contra Natvram’. Behemoth has proven why they have been at the forefront of Extreme Metal for so many years now and this album just further solidifies their place at the top of the pack.