Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond)

While many reviews point on Thelema.6 to be some kind of experiment album, pretty much the same could be said about this one, only with one difference: there is almost nothing memorable about Zos Kia Cultus. The whole album sounds like having been recorded right after some jam sessions, it's repetitive and tries to shine through technical diversity rather than songwriting.

The guitar work, although technically flawless, doesn't provide chugs and riffs to headbang to. It's all pretty generous and just meh. The solos sometimes work and sometimes don't. On "Here And Beyond" it just seems to be thrown in there randomly, while in "Zos Kia Cultus" (argueably the strongest song on the album), it blends in perfectly with the overall atmosphere.
As another letdown from its predecessor, the bass drafts back into the shadows, being totally dominated by guitars and drums. Yes, this album has made a great step towards death metal.

Listening throughout the album, the songs permanently change from listenable to totally forgettable. There is barely variety within the songwriting, the only exceptions for me being the opener, "As Above So Below" and "Zos Kia Cultus". Those songs show Inferno slowing down a bit and focusing on rhythm and Nergal not trying too hard, instead leaving the guitar work relatively simple, with decent and well placed solos. Most of the other songs could well be just cut together to one long track. It just stays the same: blasts - chug riffs and random solos - more blasts.

The skits try to add to the atmosphere with some gloomy cult impressions, but fail precisely because the other songs don't get anywhere near that kind of theme. Instead the listener is exposed to heavily Nile-inspired, random chugging, often too fast drumming and unvaried growls. This
gets complimented by a bone dry production that doesn't serve such a themed album at all. It basically only makes sense if you imagine Demigod to come after it.

All in all, this should only be a concern to Behemoth fans. Everyone else, stick with Nile and cohortes. Because this is just trying too hard to be too brutal, and it didn't work often enough.

Song recommendations: As Above So Below, Zos KIa Cultus