Polish extreme metal giants Behemoth will revisit a pivotal chapter in their legacy this fall, announcing a comprehensive reissue of their 1998 full-length Pandemonic Incantations. Set for release on September 12 via Metal Blade Records, the updated edition marks over 25 years since the record first signaled a bold transformation in the band's sound and vision.
Originally representing a departure from Behemoth's early second-wave black metal roots, Pandemonic Incantations forged the first real blueprint of the band's signature blackened death metal approach — a darker, denser hybrid that saw frontman Nergal and company lean further into themes of occultism, anti-dogma, and personal sovereignty.
"Pandemonic Incantations marked a significant leap forward in our evolution," said Behemoth frontman and mastermind Nergal. "It was a milestone made possible by overhauling the lineup and bringing Inferno into the band – it was a game changer.
"We recorded the best album we could at that point. To this day, I often hear from fans who say it's their favourite Behemoth record. Even the sonic imperfections don't overshadow the mature arrangements and solid song writing. I'm still very proud of it."
The reissue features seven bonus tracks, including the Bewitching The Pomerania EP and previously unreleased rough mixes from the original album sessions. It also comes with a 20-page booklet featuring archival photos, liner notes, and new interviews that reflect on the album's enduring significance.
Visual artist Eliran Kantor has created all-new cover art for the edition, paying homage to the original design while reimagining its essence through a modern lens. The reissue runs as follows:
- Diableria (The Great Introdvction)
- The Thovsand Plagves I Witness
- Satan's Sword (I Have Become)
- In Thy Pandemaeternvm
- Driven By The Five-Winged Star
- The Past Is Like A Fvneral
- The Entrance To The Spheres Of Mars
- With Spell Of Inferno
- Chwała Mordercom Wojciecha (997-1997 Dziesięć Wieków Hańby)
- With Spell Of Inferno (Mefisto)
- Hidden In A Fog (1997 Version)
- Sventevith (Storming Near The Baltic) (1997 Version)
- The Thovsand Plagves I Witness (Rough Mix)
- Satan's Sword (I Have Become) (Rough Mix)
- Entrance To The Spheres Of Mars (Rough Mix)
- Driven By The Five-Winged Star (Rough Mix)
Watch the visualizer for "Satan's Sword (I Have Become)" below and pre-order Pandemonic Incantations here.
Pandemonic Incantations, released in 1998, marks a pivotal moment in Behemoth's evolution from raw black metal into a more refined and aggressive blackened death metal sound. The album delivers a dense, chaotic atmosphere built on relentless blast beats, razor-sharp riffing, and Nergal's commanding, guttural vocals, all steeped in themes of occultism, pagan mysticism, and apocalyptic visions.
Its production, while still raw compared to later releases, captures a dark, suffocating intensity that mirrors the band's thematic obsession with spiritual rebellion and esoteric darkness. As a bridge between Behemoth's early, frostbitten black metal roots and their later, more polished and grandiose style, Pandemonic Incantations stands as an important and often underrated chapter in their discography.
