Gotta Rank’Em all: Every Behemoth Album Ranked part 1

Metalcatto

If you follow us on social media, you’ll know I have a complex relationship with Behemoth. This is because the band only has two modes: either it absolutely blasts me away, or it makes me sink into the worst depression ever—because of how much disdain I end up feeling. So in the end, I’m not angry, just disappointed. Join me in this ranking, where we’ll reach the lowest lows and the highest highs Metal can offer before we dive into The Sh@t ov God.

12. Grom
The first time I listened to this album, I couldn’t believe how… kvlt the production was. There’s a lot of talent here, but the resources and execution are just abysmal. I can’t help but cringe at certain moments, but the biggest issue with Grom is that it copies everything that had already been done by the Norwegians—without adding its own voice. Fortunately, this would be only a temporary phase in the band’s history.

11. Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)
This is the band’s debut and, frankly, it’s unrecognizable. Nobody could’ve imagined this band would become the massive phenomenon it is today—let alone how drastically it would evolve. This is old-school Black Metal, and despite its clever acoustic sections, it doesn’t offer anything truly standout. The production is heartbreaking—as it arguably should be—but that doesn’t make it any more fun. By today’s standards, it’s just average.

10. Pandemonic Incantations
Now this is a change! It’s still clumsy and messy, but some of the traits that would define Behemoth start to appear. The vocals are more Death Metal now, and there’s a sense of grandeur that would later become more refined. The production is radically improved. However, it’s still an unpolished and somewhat derivative endeavor. There’s talent and good ideas, but something feels like it’s holding the band back—as if it’s afraid to be itself in front of us, the ravenous masses.

9. Opvs Contra Natvram
Let me clarify: I don’t hate this album. It simply shows a band getting too comfortable with its sound and embracing its message so hard that, at times, it makes me cringe. This was the first time I had issues with Behemoth’s lyrics. We get it—it’s all about Satan and spitting on organized religion—but do we really need to try this hard? The edgelord era was in full force, and beyond that, this is just an album where the band recycles ideas done better in the past. Behemoth had found its formula for success—and it was time to milk it dry.

8. Thelema.6
This album is strange. It’s perhaps the most “atmospheric” Behemoth has ever sounded. I commend the band for trying something slightly different from the formula established in Satanica. However, it feels like some intensity was lost in the process. Somehow, it’s heavier—but also less mean and creative, which is a shame. Still, it shows a band willing to evolve and refine its sound. Behemoth shows its many faces here, and this was the first attempt to bring them all together in one monument of evil and aggression. Even their legendary edginess starts to shine through!

7. I Loved You at Your Darkest
This album had the misfortune of coming out after The Satanist. More than being bad, it’s just a letdown. Behemoth indulges itself far too much here. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love a few tracks, but the problem is consistency—at least 60% of the songs just aren’t memorable. And let’s not even talk about the children’s choir… that’s not edgy, it’s just awkward. I consider myself a defender of this album, but it marked the beginning of Behemoth feeling too big to fail—and that’s always dangerous.

6. Satanica
Perhaps the first album where Behemoth fully dives into Death Metal. The production still leaves a lot to be desired—especially the drums—but the band already shows that unique combination of evil and melodic brutality that it’d go on to master. There’s still some strange experimentation lingering, hinting that this band wants to be more than just a head-crusher. I’d dare say this is the most Immortal-sounding Behemoth album to date—and honestly, it’s criminally underrated. Having said that, what’s up with that art? Jeez..

Part two is coming out soon!