With the first month of 2015 wrapping up this week, that metalheads already have no shortage of things to look forward to as the year continues. Adding to an already promising year, Polish blackened death metal titans Behemoth have decided to give their fans another reason to mark up their calendars. Today, on the first day of their North American tour with Cannibal Corpse, Aeon, and Tribulation, Behemoth’s label, Metal Blade, announced that it will release a 490-page hardcover official biography of the band on February 24 entitled Behemoth: Devil’s Conquistadors.
Written by Łukasz Dunaj, the book promises to provide an in-depth look into the events that led to the band’s formation and influenced their career and music, ultimately earning them the respect, adoration, and reverence that would solidify their place in both the history of metal, as well as their home country of Poland. With stories and comments from current and former members, Dunaj’s storytelling promises a revealing look at the Behemoth’s life behind their music. Throughout the book, Behemoth: Devil’s Conquistadors is also filled with iconic images throughout the band’s journey, including old photos, lyric sheets, flyers, and more.
A passage from front man Adam “Nergal” Darski details some of the founding moments in his life as a musician:
“The first communion was a very important moment for me. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. Of course, not as a religion experience – I didn’t understand anything and couldn’t care less. Same as all the other kids. We all stood there with our votive candles and waited for one thing. Cash. The first communion must be one moment when you get the most money you’re ever going to get as a child. And for this money, I bought myself my first electric guitar. Not a bike, no Legos – a guitar.”
The book’s forward is written by Krzysztof Azarewicz seems to perfectly set the tone of what can be expected from the upcoming book:
“If, as a cultural anthropologist, I were to point to a single cosmic force which Behemoth‘s music expresses, I would name it not Satan but Dionysus. A deity that represents not only the intoxicating influence of cosmic energies and earthly benefits, but also their benevolent healing properties. A deity of strength and pride. A deity of creative might.”
You can read more about this upcoming must-have for all die-hard Behemoth fans through a post on their Facebook page. If you can’t wait to get your secure your eager mitts on a copy of Behemoth: Devil’s Conquistadors, you can pre-order the book here. The book will be released next month while Behemoth is on their upcoming tour with Cannibal Corpse, Aeon, and Tribulation (dates below). Coincidentally, co-headliners and Behemoth’s Metal Blade label mates Cannibal Corpse are promoting not only their own album released just last year, but also a recently released official biography.
