Pandemonic Incantations
Behemoth · 1998
37 min · 10 tracks · blackened death metal
A relentless barrage of blistering riffs and dark atmospheres, merging blackened death metal with esoteric themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Satan's Sword (I Have Become) — This track encapsulates the album's blending of aggressive instrumentation with dark lyrical themes, showcasing Behemoth's signature style and ferocity.
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The Thousand Plagues I Witness Start here — With its intricate guitar work and relentless pace, this track exemplifies the band's technical prowess and thematic depth that defines the album.
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Driven by the Five-Winged Star — This song displays a haunting atmosphere paired with anthemic melodies, reflecting the album's exploration of dark spirituality and mysticism.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and strong production, marking Behemoth's evolution in extreme metal.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken-word introduction that sets a dark tone, followed by relentless blast beats and tremolo-picked riffs throughout.
- Each track features complex song structures with tempo changes, often shifting from fast-paced sections to slower, atmospheric interludes.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral elements and layered vocals, enhancing the overall dark atmosphere and depth of sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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 towards climax
- chaotic energy for intense focus
- dark atmosphere for late nights
- brief interludes enhance immersion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light-hearted listening
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Behemoth's reputation in the blackened death metal genre.
- Career context
- When Behemoth released 'Pandemonic Incantations' in 1998, they were transitioning from their earlier black metal sound toward a more aggressive, death metal style. This album followed their previous effort, 'The Satanist', and marked a significant step in their artistic evolution, solidifying their presence in the extreme metal scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mgła· Emperor· Dimmu Borgir
Tracklist
- 1 Diableria (The Great Introduction) 0:49
- 2 The Thousand Plagues I Witness Start here 5:15
- 3 Satan's Sword (I Have Become) 4:17
- 4 In Thy Pandemaeternum 4:50
- 5 Driven by the Five-Winged Star 5:04
- 6 The Past Is Like a Funeral 6:41
- 7 The Entrance to the Spheres of Mars 4:45
- 8 Chwała mordercom Wojciecha (997-1997 dziesięć wieków hańby) 4:48
- 65 [silence] 0:09
- 66 [untitled] 0:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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