Chaotica-The Essence of The Underworld Review

Before Behemoth became a death metal juggernaut, it played black metal.
Of course, its
death metal is often called "blackened," and the Polish band still plays live in corpsepaint,
albeit sparingly. However, those used to its recent 7-string crunchings will be shocked to hear
its early sounds – primitive, lo-fi, with high shrieks far removed from the monstrous,
processed death growls of Demigod.
Behemoth's pre-1999 discography is quite rich. However, what was once rare and scattered
has been reissued repeatedly, flooding the market with similarly-named packages. Here's the
lowdown on these compilations:
1. Chaotica – The Essence of the Underworld – Metal Mind recently re-released this
two-disc set from 1999 (Season of Mist seems to have also reissued it in 2003). It
contains And the Forests Dream Eternally (EP, 1994), Sventevith (Storming Near the
Baltic) (full-length, 1995), Grom (full-length, 1996), Bewitching the Pomerania (EP,
1997), and four previously unreleased covers and demo tracks.
2. Historica – released in 2003, the Historica box set is the same thing as Chaotica,
but spreads its contents across five discs, adding Pandemonic Incantations (full-
length, 1998), and a disc of live recordings and rarities. This is the most complete
collection of Behemoth's black metal era.
3. Demonica – released in 2006, this two-disc set collects previously unreleased tracks
mostly from Behemoth's black metal era, and does not overlap
with Chaotica or Historica.
For whatever reason, Chaotica and Historica do not appear on the discography on
Behemoth's website, and are thus "considered either bootleg or pirate." However, Nergal
himself writes the liner notes to Chaotica, so the official status of this compilation is
indefinite.
However, what's definite is its quality. Disc 1 is more of a curio than anything. Garbage can
production! Witchy shrieks! Guitars that sound like bumblebees! It's quite listenable, though,
as Nergal has frankly been a visionary since day one, giving the songs strong, if
undistinguished shapes.
Chaotica comes alive on Disc 2, as Grom leaps out of the speakers with remastered oomph;
Nergal's personality is better suited for large sound rather than lo-fi grit. The songs are fierce
but varied, working in keyboards, acoustic guitars, clean tones, and startlingly effective
female vocals. Behemoth here still sounds completely different from its present incarnation
(that transition wouldn't take place until 1999's Satanica, its first foray into death metal), but
the same focus and intensity are present.
Though Chaotica and Historica are obvious cash cows, they're worth exploring. My money is
on Historica, as it has a lavish, photo-filled booklet, and Pandemonic Incantations is the first
appearance of present-day drummer Inferno. However, it's pricey and can be hard to find,
so Chaotica is a fine cut-rate option. Regardless of which compilation you choose, you'll gain
insight into why Behemoth wears that funny white paint onstage.
1. Chaotica - The Essence of the Underworld - Metal Mind baru-baru ini merilis ulang dua
disk ini dari tahun 1999 (Season of Mist tampaknya juga telah diterbitkan ulang pada tahun
2003). Ini berisi Dan Hutan Mimpi Eternally (EP, 1994), Sventevith (Menyerang Dekat
Baltik) (full-length, 1995), Grom (full-length, 1996), Bewitching the Pomerania (EP, 1997),
dan empat yang sebelumnya belum pernah dirilis sampul dan trek demo.
2. Historica - dirilis pada tahun 2003, set kotak Historica adalah hal yang sama dengan
Chaotica, tetapi menyebar isinya di lima cakram, menambahkan Pandemonic Incantations
(full-length, 1998), dan cakram rekaman langsung dan langka. Ini adalah koleksi paling
lengkap dari era black metal Behemoth.
3. Demonica - dirilis pada 2006, set dua disk ini mengumpulkan lagu-lagu yang sebelumnya
tidak pernah dirilis sebagian besar dari era black metal Behemoth, dan tidak tumpang tindih
dengan Chaotica atau Historica.
Untuk alasan apa pun, Chaotica dan Historica tidak muncul pada diskografi di situs web
Behemoth, dan dengan demikian "dianggap bajakan atau bajak laut." Namun, Nergal sendiri
menulis liner notes ke Chaotica, sehingga status resmi kompilasi ini tidak terbatas.
Namun, yang pasti adalah kualitasnya. Disk 1 lebih merupakan curio daripada apa pun.
Sampah bisa berproduksi! Jeritan yang melengking! Gitar yang terdengar seperti lebah!
Namun, ini cukup dapat didengarkan, karena Nergal terus terang telah menjadi visioner sejak
hari pertama, memberikan lagu-lagu yang kuat, jika bentuknya tidak khas.
Chaotica menjadi hidup di Disc 2, ketika Grom melompat keluar dari speaker dengan
semangat remaster; Kepribadian Nergal lebih cocok untuk suara besar daripada lo-fi grit.
Lagu-lagunya sengit tetapi bervariasi, bekerja di keyboard, gitar akustik, nada bersih, dan
vokal wanita yang mengejutkan efektif. Behemoth di sini masih terdengar sangat berbeda
dari inkarnasinya saat ini (transisi itu tidak akan terjadi sampai Satanica tahun 1999,
perampokan pertama ke dalam death metal), tetapi fokus dan intensitas yang sama ada.
Meskipun Chaotica dan Historica adalah sapi perah yang nyata, mereka patut ditelusuri. Uang
saya ada di Historica, karena ia memiliki buklet yang mewah dan penuh foto, dan
Pandemonic Incantations adalah penampilan pertama dari Inferno drummer masa kini.
Namun, ini mahal dan sulit ditemukan, jadi Chaotica adalah opsi pemotongan yang bagus.
Apa pun kompilasi yang Anda pilih, Anda akan mengetahui mengapa Behemoth memakai cat
putih lucu di atas panggung.

Chaotica-The Essence of The Underworld Review

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chaotica-The Essence of The Underworld Review

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chaotica-The Essence of The Underworld Review

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Before Behemoth became a death metal juggernaut, it played black metal.

processed death growls of Demigod.

lowdown on these compilations:

collection of Behemoth's black metal era.

with Chaotica or Historica.

the same focus and intensity are present.

Chaotica, tetapi menyebar isinya di lima cakram, menambahkan Pandemonic Incantations

lengkap dari era black metal Behemoth.

dengan Chaotica atau Historica.

putih lucu di atas panggung.

You might also like