Behemoth: The Influences That Shaped the King of Blackened Death Metal

If you've ever stood in front of a Behemoth stage show, surrounded by pyrotechnics and frontman Nergal’s searing growls, you might wonder: how did this band become the theatrical, blasphemous, and technically ferocious force they are today? As someone who's followed metal’s evolution for years, I’ve always been fascinated by Behemoth’s unique blend of sonic brutality and visual spectacle. Their sound didn’t just come out of nowhere — it was forged in the fires of earlier bands and movements that dared to defy the mainstream.

## Early Black Metal Scene (Late '80s–Early '90s)

Behemoth’s earliest incarnation was deeply rooted in the black metal explosion that swept through Europe in the late '80s and early '90s. Bands like Venom, Bathory, and Mayhem were the genre’s pioneers, and their raw, lo-fi recordings laid the groundwork for what would become a global phenomenon. Poland’s metal scene was still nascent at the time, but Behemoth — then known as Behemoth Ltd. — absorbed the DIY ethos and anti-religious themes that defined black metal’s rebellious spirit. These early influences are evident in Behemoth’s first albums, where shrieks and tremolo picking dominated the soundscape.

## American Death Metal (Mid-'90s)

By the mid-'90s, Behemoth had shifted gears. The band began incorporating the technical precision and grotesque imagery of American death metal acts like Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, and Deicide. This was a pivotal period — Nergal studied these bands’ approach to musicianship and lyrical extremity, blending it with the dark mysticism of black metal. You can hear this hybrid style emerge on albums like Sventevith Storm ov Infernis, where the songwriting became more complex and the production more refined, signaling Behemoth’s evolution from raw beginnings to a more calculated, brutal sound.

## Scandinavian Black Metal (Second Wave)

Though Behemoth is often associated with the later wave of black metal, the band was heavily influenced by the Norwegian black metal scene that peaked in the early '90s. Artists like Darkthrone, Emperor, and Burzum brought a dark, atmospheric quality to the genre that Behemoth would eventually adopt and reinterpret. The use of symphonic elements, ambient interludes, and mythological themes in Behemoth’s later work owes a clear debt to these Scandinavian forebears. The grandeur and theatricality of Emperor’s Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, for example, echoes in Behemoth’s later compositions.

## Industrial and Experimental Elements (2000s)

As the 2000s rolled in, Behemoth started incorporating industrial textures and unconventional song structures, inspired in part by bands like Rammstein and Ministry. This wasn’t just a musical shift — it was a visual and thematic one too. The band’s stage performances became increasingly theatrical, with elaborate sets and choreography. The influence of industrial metal helped Behemoth expand their sonic palette, making room for mechanical rhythms and eerie synths without losing their core ferocity. This experimentation reached its peak on albums like Thelema.6 and Evangelion.

## Classical and Symphonic Traditions

One of the most underrated influences on Behemoth is the classical music tradition. Nergal has often spoken about his admiration for composers like Bach, Wagner, and Penderecki, whose dramatic compositions seeped into Behemoth’s orchestral arrangements and choral elements. This classical infusion is especially apparent in The Satanist and I Loved You at Your Darkest, where choirs and symphonic backdrops elevate the band’s brutality to operatic levels. It’s this blend of the ancient and the extreme that sets Behemoth apart from their peers.

If you're intrigued by the roots of Behemoth’s sound and want to dive deeper into how these influences shaped each era of the band, you can talk to Nergal on HoloDream. He’s got stories behind every riff, growl, and pyrotechnic burst.