Deicide had already set a formidable standard for blasphemous excess on the Altar stage, but Behemoth raised the stakes considerably by adding a level of theatricality that bordered on the liturgical. Actually, there was nothing borderline about it. This was a service for the faithful. Fire and brimstone, corpse paint, inverted crosses and enough smoke to obscure the distinction between concert and ritual. Nergal commanded the proceedings with the authority of a high priest, equal parts rock star and cult leader.
Thankfully, the spectacle never overshadowed the music. Whether one prefers the label blackened death metal or death-infused black metal, Behemoth's sound remains remarkably potent and surprisingly accessible by extreme metal standards. Beneath the blast beats and infernal imagery lie riffs and choruses built for mass participation. Thousands of fists rise in unison. Chants echo back toward the stage. In that respect, Behemoth understands something many extreme bands never fully grasp: ritual requires repetition, and repetition breeds hooks.
The result is mesmerizing. Few bands of their generation have managed to combine such uncompromising heaviness with this level of presentation and crowd engagement. By the end of the set, the distinction between audience and congregation has largely disappeared. Hellfest has witnessed many spectacles over the years but this one came with its own gospel.
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TesseracT @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, setlist)
Point Mort @ Warzone (Photo)
Queensrÿche @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Stoned Jesus @ Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Bloodywood @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, setlist)
Accept @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Sepultura @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, review, setlist)
Helloween @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Opeth @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, review, setlist)
Iron Maiden @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
DAY FOUR
Scour @ Temple Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Eyehategod @ Valley Stage (Photos, review)
Six Feet Under @ Altar Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Corrosion Of Conformity @ Valley Stage (Photos, review)
Possessed @ Altar Stage (Photos, setlist)
Agnostic Front @ Warzone - (Photos, setlist)
Acid Bath @Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Marduk @ Altar Stage (Photos, setlist)
Napalm Death @ Altar Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Down @ Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)