I love Finland. Some of the best and brightest black metal and melodeath groups hail from the region, Behexen being one of the former. Another longtime band emerging from the shadows to battle for supreme reign in 2016, they were formed all the way back in 1994 while I was still just learning about grunge music. The band has now joined the excellent and fitting lineup of Debemur Morti Productions to bring us their latest descent into chaos: The Poisonous Path. Where will it stand in another excellent year of black metal madness?
To begin on a general note, Behexen are another band that have respectfully chosen to stick to their roots. I am all for innovation, but if you have a formula that works and want to stay true to the essence of the genre why change? Aside from the modernized production, this is 2nd wave worship to the core. And let me say that the production is not pristine or loud, but rather has a great sense of depth that adds to the ominous qualities of the music.
The guitars pummel the listener mercilessly when at full blast, utilizing a similar ugly, bassy tone as Wombbath and Black Breath. These passages as on "Cave of the Dark Dreams" and "Pentagram of the Black Earth" are filled with gutterpunk chords mixed with catchy tremolo hooks. Other times, as with the excellent single above, "Chalice of the Abyssal Water," the band wanders into slower territory; utilizing the sense of space and delibartely picked minor key melodies to create a true sense of dread.
There's a lot to like about The Poisonous Path, I just wish it felt a bit more concise. When it's good, which is most of the time, the drums are spectacularly powerful; seeming to echo into eternity with each strike. The guitars rumble along with vicious growls in a way that makes me produce corpse paint directly through my pores. But the album is a bit slow to start, with the first two tracks feeling a bit on the bland side. Things pick up from there, though none of the ideas feel particularly fresh. If you came expecting from Behexen the same quality they have delivered in the past, you will certainly get your money's worth. I think the album is quite entertaining and filled with dark energy. I just look for a little bit more than that these days. Getting jaded in my old age, I guess. Full album is due this Friday.