Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
Why am I reviewing a long EP? Is it because it’s Behemoth‘s? Yes, totally. If you read this and that, you’ll know I have a rocky relationship with the band. How can they reach such highs and such lows? A mystery nobody can solve. Yet, my real question when it came to I, Scvlptor—why the edgy writing style?—was: is the band more washed than Ali in the 80s, or is there still talent left?
Metalcatto
Many bands play war Metal, but very few truly understand it. 1914 certainly does, and Viribus Unitis proves once again that it’s more than just another band referencing history. The past two records could easily be considered modern classics, which made me approach this one with a mix of excitement and apprehension. How do you follow up something that already defined your sound so powerfully? And more importantly, how does a band that has built its identity around the horror and futility of war capture a tragedy of this scale without repeating itself? Those were the questions in my mind when I first pressed play.
Metalcatto
It’s been some time since we checked in on epic comebacks. Not that there have been many this year, but I was hoping Korp could deliver one for us. And Darker it Shall Become has everything, in principle, to succeed at this task. There’s nothing like an album you can’t easily define to do the job. This one is a strange mix of Death, Black, and Thrash Metal that I feared might leave us numb—but you know, the past is always full of disappointment and regret, which is why I approached it cautiously. Sick artwork, though! Let’s do this.
Metalcatto
I might’ve said it before, but this year seems to be a big one for Blackened Death Metal, and Shadows wants in on the trend with Miseria. At first glance, the album gives the impression that it’s more than ready to do the job—punching a hole through your emotions and unleashing the evil beast that lurks inside your heart. Does that make any sense? No clue. But what I do know is what this album offers, and I’m about to tell you.
Metalcatto
Alright, I’ll tell you something superficial — and I’m not proud of it, but it’s the truth. I had several earlier promos to check out, but I saw Proscription‘s Desolate Divine and its absolutely astonishing cover art and said, “Screw merits and fairness, this thing looks evil!” That kind of aesthetic confidence is hard to resist. Still, you always have to be cautious with artwork that looks too convincing, especially when it comes to Blackened Death Metal. You risk overindulging and ending up sick the whole trip home (which I’m actively trying to avoid during this vacation).
Metalcatto
Whether we like it or not, 2025 has become the year of Blackened Death Metal. Sure, Behemoth dropped something, but we’ve also had heavyweights such as Dormant Ordeal and Decline of the I raising the bar. Now Patristic storms in with Catechesis, looking ready to join this fiercely competitive field. Dramatic cover art, unsettling religious track names, an ambitious scope, and Willowtip Records backing it—on paper, everything points to a real show‑stopper. The flip side is that my expectations shoot to a surreal level, which could set the stage for disappointment.
Metalcatto
Behemoth is a band with many faces. Just check out our rankings here and here to see what I mean. That said, I’d argue we’re now deep into the band’s edgelord era—where the music has remained relatively stable, while the lyrics and aesthetics have pushed harder toward controversy. Whether that approach works is up for debate. For me, the real issue is that Behemoth seems too comfortable in its sound and achievements. That’s why I approached The Shit ov God with caution, though still with a shred of hope.
Metalcatto
We have unfinished business with Behemoth, and as we prepare for (whatever these guys do next to) be smeared all over us, let’s continue this journey through its discography. If you haven’t read the first half, click here! Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the best half of this band’s catalogue — the one filled with actual legendary work!
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.
It’s been a while since we covered anything coming from animal-loving labels like Transcending Obscurity. So, I went to my collapsed email box and found an album with a cool and Lovecraft-like cover from la France! Of course, I had to give it a go. Skaphos is a Blackened Death Metal band. As a style that many have tried and failed to master, it’s a complex balance between the fury and sorrow of both genres, but Cult of Uzura aims to defy these expectations, and I’m okay with that. In fact, as long as it doesn’t just blast from beginning to end, that’ll be enough for me!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 