By the Blessing of Satan
Behexen · 2004
47 min · 7 tracks · black metal
Dark, atmospheric riffs intertwine with haunting vocals, evoking an intense exploration of religious themes through a distinctly black metal lens.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
By the Blessing of Satan — The title track sets a powerful tone with its blending of melodic elements and aggressive instrumentation, embodying the album's overarching themes of darkness and rebellion.
-
→
Fist of the Satanist — This track showcases intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts that reflect the band's ability to balance aggression with melody, making it a standout in their catalog.
-
→
Black Metal Baptism — With its ritualistic atmosphere and thematic intensity, this song encapsulates Behexen's approach to black metal spirituality and serves as a critical commentary on traditional beliefs.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's solid craftsmanship and thematic consistency mark it as a notable entry in the black metal genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of tremolo-picked guitar riffs layered with atmospheric synths, creating a dense soundscape.
- Vocals alternate between harsh growls and haunting clean sections, often overlapping with the instrumentation to enhance the dark themes.
- Each track maintains a similar tempo, contributing to an overall sense of cohesion but potentially limiting dynamic variation.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intense explorations of dark themes
- haunting atmosphere for late nights
- cathartic release of pent-up emotions
- immersive listening for deep focus
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lighthearted, uplifting music
- seek instant gratification from songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the Blessing of Satan marks Behexen's second studio album, following their debut, Rituale Satanum, released in 2000. At this point, the band was solidifying its presence in the Finnish black metal scene, gaining recognition for their thematic depth and musical complexity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Darkthrone· Marduk· Immortal
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 By the Blessing of Satan 4:25
- 2 Fist of the Satanist 7:43
- 3 Sieluni Saatanan vihasta roihuten 6:36
- 4 Celebration of Christ’s Fall 5:42
- 5 Black Metal Baptism 7:16
- 6 Watchers of My Black Temple 8:26
- 7 Under the Eye of Lord 7:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.