Behemoth
Evangelion

Enormously overrated. That's what Behemoth has been for the past few years. Yes, because since the release of the exceptional "Zos Kia Cultus," the Polish band seems unable to repeat the glory of its illustrious past ("Satanica" and "Thelema.6"). Yet, despite conventional albums like "Demigod" and (especially) "The Apostasy," Nergal and company are still here to receive the unconditional praise of critics and audiences alike: hailed as the greatest death metal band in the world (and it makes me angry knowing these people might not even know who Decrepit Birth or Ulcerate are, speaking of new blood), compared to the Morbid Angel of their golden years and more, the Polish formation has just released their latest, not to mention highly anticipated album, "Evangelion."

It has to be acknowledged, compared to what they've shown in recent years, this album turns out to be decisively more valid and inspired, succeeding on several occasions to offer excellent highlights (the epic "Ov Fire And The Void" or the evil "Shemhamforash"). However, the impression that emerges is always the same: the Polish seem to have rested on their laurels, producing formally perfect products (which I must emphasize) but lacking the variety that characterized the band's early releases... Quite simply, everything sounds predictable and at times cliché (though it's divinely executed, I don't dispute that). For those who, like me, don't stop at catchy aesthetics, stunning artwork, and the colossal production of similar albums, the music ends up leaving little. In short, the kids will continue to love them, ignoring what true death metal is, the critics will praise them, playing into the hands of the current label... While WE, true followers of death metal, will return home a bit disappointed by so much ignorance, but with the certainty that waiting for us will be our "Diminishing Between Worlds" and "Everything Is Fire"... Forget Behemoth...