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Behexen is truly the embodiment of Finnish black metal's two extremes, melding Sargeist and Beherit's rabid, minimal hate with the dense, melodic gloom of Prevalent Resistance and Cosmic Church in a whirlwind of somber, catchy aggression. Four albums and nearly twenty years from their impetus, their newest album The Poisonous Path shows this quadripartite unit of blasphemous, mystical glory straying from signs of dilution shown by other long-standing outfits.

Opening with an immediate sonic eruption, "Umbra Luciferi" is a prime example of Behexen's lasting power. Cleverly hiding catchy melodies in bleak, evil black metal monochrome, "Umbra Luciferi" wages war on the weak and timid with riff after riff of black metal purity. Utilizing a surprisingly cleaner sound than 2012's Nightside Emanations, the power of Behexen's music which was once projected through a caustic lens finds itself transformed and performed with an equal potency. Soaring above the musical prowess and ever the capable vocalist, Hoath Torog's hoarse roar is the frontman at his most demonic, retaining minute human qualities of a man very obviously possessed. This is the Devil's music, far beyond the feared Crowley-inspired hard rock controversies of decades past, exploring the depths of evil with a keen ear for strength in memorability,

Debemur Morti Productions will unveil Behexen's The Poisonous Path on May 27th. Preorders for the Gatefold 2LP and CD editions are currently available here. Scroll down for an exclusive listen to "Umbra Luciferi."

—Jon Rosenthal

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