What does Grom sound like?

A ferocious blend of blackened death metal and Slavic mythology, echoing with dark, atmospheric intensity. Rooted in blackened death metal. Start with "The Dark Forest (Cast Me Your Spell)".

Is Grom a good place to start with Behemoth?

Yes, Grom is recommended as a starting point for new Behemoth listeners. A ferocious blend of blackened death metal and Slavic mythology, echoing with dark, atmospheric intensity. Released on January 2, 1996, 'Grom' is Behemoth's third studio album, following their 1995 release 'Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)'. At this stage in their career, Behemoth was solidifying their identity within the extreme metal scene, moving away from their early black metal roots towards a more aggressive and complex sound that would define their future work.

Grom works well if you're into steady progression with climaxes, immersive journey through darkness and relentless energy for focus.

How many songs are on Grom?

Grom has 8 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Grom

Behemoth · 1996

44 min · 8 tracks · blackened death metal

A ferocious blend of blackened death metal and Slavic mythology, echoing with dark, atmospheric intensity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Dark Forest (Cast Me Your Spell) Start here — This track showcases Behemoth's signature blend of melodic elements and brutal intensity while exploring themes of nature and mysticism, setting the tone for the album.
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Spellcraft and Heathendom — The intricate guitar work and relentless pace reflect the band's technical prowess, embodying the thematic depth of paganism and ancient rites central to 'Grom'.
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Grom — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its thunderous riffs and dark atmosphere, serving as a powerful homage to Slavic mythology.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions with cultural elements but lacks some polish in execution.

What we noticed

The album opens with an atmospheric intro that sets a dark tone before launching into aggressive riffs and blast beats.
Tracks often feature tempo shifts, alternating between fast-paced sections and slower, more melodic passages.
The use of traditional Slavic themes is evident in both the lyrics and musical motifs, creating a distinct cultural resonance.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal styles, blending growls with higher-pitched screams to enhance the intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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

steady progression with climaxes
immersive journey through darkness
relentless energy for focus
for evening intensity

Maybe skip if you

prefer light-hearted, upbeat sounds
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Helped Behemoth gain traction internationally and solidified their reputation.
Career context: Released on January 2, 1996, 'Grom' is Behemoth's third studio album, following their 1995 release 'Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)'. At this stage in their career, Behemoth was solidifying their identity within the extreme metal scene, moving away from their early black metal roots towards a more aggressive and complex sound that would define their future work.
Stylistic neighbors: Mgła· Emperor· Dimmu Borgir