Photo by Kobaru | @kobarupl
Polish extreme metal veterans BEHEMOTH have released “In League With Satan”, the second single from their new release, “I, Scvlptor”. The track is a cover of the VENOM classic and features a guest vocal appearance from DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath, whose real name is Stian Thoresen.
“I, Scvlptor” is available digitally through Nuclear Blast Records, while its physical editions are being released by Massacre Records.
The accompanying video for “In League With Satan” was created by Polish production collective Grupa 13.
BEHEMOTH frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski explained that the song was connected to the name chosen for the band’s tour with DIMMU BORGIR. He said that the idea of using the VENOM title eventually led to the decision to record the song, with Shagrath joining BEHEMOTH on vocals. According to Nergal, the track was recorded using seven-string guitars, giving the cover a different weight and character, and the band intends to perform it live.
“I, Scvlptor” contains eight previously unreleased tracks: seven studio recordings and one live performance. Rather than serving as a conventional studio album, the release brings together new material, re-recorded versions of early BEHEMOTH songs and covers of artists that influenced the band.
Among the new recordings are “Rise Of The Blackstorm Of Evil”, originally featured on “The Return Of The Northern Moon” (1992), and “In Thy Pandemaeternum”, from “Pandemonic Incantations” (1998). Both songs have been re-recorded with contemporary production while retaining their original character.
The release also includes two covers. Alongside BEHEMOTH’s interpretation of VENOM’s “In League With Satan”, featuring Shagrath, the collection features BATHORY’s “The Return Of Darkness And Evil”, with Sakis Tolis of ROTTING CHRIST contributing to the track.
The complete track listing for “I, Scvlptor” is:
I, Scvlptor
Lord Ov The Horizons
Rise Of The Blackstorm Of Evil
In Thy Pandemaeternum
Begotten
In League With Satan
The Return Of Darkness And Evil (live)
Lord Ov The Horizons (alternative version)
“I, Scvlptor” is available on CD, LP, MC and as a limited-edition box set through Massacre Records worldwide, with the digital release available via Nuclear Blast Records.
Nergal described the release as an important transitional work for BEHEMOTH, pointing out that although it is not a conventional studio album, it contains previously unheard material and explores directions that differ from the band’s most recent full-length, “The Shit Ov God”. He characterised the collection as a link between the band’s current creative period and whatever comes next.
BEHEMOTH have developed from their beginnings in the Polish underground into one of the most internationally recognised names in extreme metal. Their commercial history includes multiple appearances on the U.S. Billboard 200, beginning with “The Apostasy” in 2007, which debuted at No. 149.
“Evangelion” followed in 2009 with a No. 56 Billboard 200 debut, while “The Satanist” reached No. 34 in 2014. The latter also debuted at No. 1 on Poland’s OLIS chart. Subsequent releases continued to chart internationally, including “I Loved You At Your Darkest” in 2018 and “Opvs Contra Natvram” in 2022, the latter reaching No. 19 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart.
Photo: Kobaru
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