The Coins Down The Back Of The Sofa......Behexen "Rituale Satanum"

Being a satanist isn't evil enough for some people.  The act of sacrificing goats or a buxom virgin in the name of the horned one probably wouldn't cut it in the world of Hoath Torog of Behexen, instead he and his band mates chose the power of black metal to get their message across .  It is alleged that those who carry the black flame will find the work of Behexen "pleasurable".

I am not holding any flames of any colour in my hands and nor am I particularly a worshipper of anyone but I cannot deny the sheer satanic fury and dense evil atmosphere of Behexens` 2000 album release "Rituale Satanum".  Raw and blistering like a rotting carcass in the desert, you can hear in every morbid melody and every ghastly shriek that Behexen mean every last measure of the effort they pour into their art form.  The album drips with intensity from start to finish, drenching the listener like a tsunami of hatred and blasphemy.

So this weeks' rediscovery of how spiteful and vicious music can be is the immortal brilliance of "Rituale Satanum".  An exploration of how true aggression can be ported onto an audible format with pure aplomb and genuine heartfelt hatred.  Some of the riffs on show here are truly demonic and when coupled with those rasping and harsh vocals make for great effect on one of BM's most under-rated releases.