You’d think by now after more than 20 years of a music form being in existence this album titled would have already been used. Behemoth must be happy they did to accompany other such evil titles like ‘Christians To The Lions’, ‘The Harlot Of The Saints’, and ‘Christgrinding Avenue’.

“The Satanist” sees Behemoth following the progression from 2007’s ‘The Apostasy” and “Evangelion” in 09, still crafting brutal death metal but finding ways within the genres typical, and more so, their own formula to include dynamics. First video track ‘Blow Your trumpets Gabriel’ misleadingly opens with plodding riff/drum piece, picking up pace after a minute, then launching into this obscene amount of aggression with accompanying satanic backing vocal/orchestration. ‘Furor Divinus’ pulls no punches out the infernal gate with rapid fire old school black metal riffs and blast beats. Frontman Nergal continues to preach the word according to Hell with the first words to ‘Messe Noire’; “I believe in Satan Who rend both heavens and earth, And in the Antichrist, His dearly misbegotten, The anguish ov our future, A Bastard spawned from lie, Born ov a harlot nun”. Another fast and powerful arrangement that includes a strong change melodic lead section mid way with some orchestration, showing no mercy for the weak minded. Where did that saxophone and acoustic guitar curve ball come from in ‘In the Absence ov Light’?, found after a minute of brutality that includes this interesting short spoken word interlude that sounds like some prophet speaking in a village to the people. Serious placed horns deliver dramatics during ‘Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer’ with a slowed (but not too much) tempo change makes this arrangement an album highlight.

Behemoth demonstrate strength and power with this album, clear (crushing) production, showing no fear for adding new elements (most notably on the title track) which I’d like to hear more of for variety.