The Apostasy is the eighth studio album by Polish
extreme metal band
Behemoth. The album was released on 17 July 2007 through
Regain Records.
Background
The Apostasy was recorded at the Radio Gdańsk Studios from November 2006 to March 2007. The record was then mixed by Daniel Bergstrand in the Dug Out Studio in
Uppsala,
Sweden in March 2007. Then it was mastered by Bjorn Engelmann in the Cutting Room Studios in
Stockholm,
Sweden also in March 2007.[8]
Unlike Behemoth's previous studio albums, a
piano and a horn section (a trio of
trumpet,
trombone,
French horn) were used in several of the album's songs. During the recording sessions, the band re-recorded a new version of "Chant for Eschaton 2000" – originally released on their album Satanica – which was released on the band's 2008 EP, Ezkaton. The Apostasy is Behemoth's first album to chart on the
Billboard 200, having debuted at #149. The album was also put out in vinyl format limited to 500 copies.[9]
The album title refers to "
apostasy", the state of having forsaken one's professed belief set, often in favour of opposing beliefs or causes. The album cover artwork is a depiction of the Hindu goddess
Kali.[10]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by
Nergal, except where noted; all music is composed by Nergal
No.
Title
Lyrics
Length
1.
"Rome 64 C.E." (instrumental)
1:16
2.
"Slaying the Prophets ov Isa"
3:23
3.
"Prometherion"
3:03
4.
"At the Left Hand ov God"
Nergal, Krzysztof Azarewicz
4:58
5.
"Kriegsphilosophie"
4:23
6.
"Be Without Fear"
3:17
7.
"Arcana Hereticae"
Nergal, Krzysztof Azarewicz
2:58
8.
"Libertheme"
4:53
9.
"Inner Sanctum"
5:01
10.
"Pazuzu"
2:37
11.
"Christgrinding Avenue"
3:50
Total length:
39:39
Japanese Bonus Tracks
No.
Title
Lyrics
Music
Length
12.
"Entering the Pylon ov Light"
Krzysztof Azarewicz
Nergal
3:42
13.
"Slaves Shall Serve" (live)
Krzysztof Azarewicz
Nergal
3:27
Special edition DVD
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Making of the Apostasy" (documentary)
25:28
Explanation of song titles
"Rome 64 C.E." – the
Great Fire of Rome occurred in 64 C.E., in which
Peter from the bible (and possible other apostles as well), were allegedly killed. This explains the name of the song "Slaying the Prophets ov Isa".
"Slaying the Prophets ov Isa" – Isa is the Arabic name for
Jesus.
"Pazuzu" – the
Pazuzu was a much-feared creature of legend in
Mesopotamian mythology, with a deformed head, wings of an eagle, sharp claws of a lion on its feet, and tail of a scorpion. It is the personification of the south-east storm wind, which brings diseases.
"Christgrinding Avenue" talks about the
Via Dolorosa and the crucifixion of Jesus.
Personnel
Behemoth
Adam "Nergal" Darski – rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars, vocals, choir arrangements
[1]
[2]
