The Apostasy

Infobox Album
Name = The Apostasy
Type = studio
Artist = Behemoth


Released = July 2, 2007 (Europe)
July 17, 2007 (USA)
Recorded = December 11, 2006 - April 2007 at Radio Gdańsk in Gdańsk, Poland
Genre = Blackened death metal
Length = 39:52
Label = Regain Records
Century Media Records
Producer =
Reviews =
*About.com Rating|4.5|5 [http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/behemothapostas.htm link]
*"Metal Hammer" rating-10|8
Last album = "Demonica"
(2006)
This album = "The Apostasy"
(2007)
Next album = "At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy"
(2008)

"The Apostasy" is the eighth full-length album by Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. The album was released on July 17, 2007 through Regain Records.

Unlike Behemoth's previous studio albums, "The Apostasy" features vocal choirs, the piano and a horn section (a trio of trumpet, trombone, french horn) were used in a handful of songs. During the recording sessions, the band re-recorded a new version of "Chant for Eschaton 2000" (from "Satanica") which will likely be released later on a future EP. "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 and is nearly impossible to find.

The album title refers to "apostasy", the state of having forsaken one's professed beliefset, often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes.

Moreover, a part of the Wikipedia article about Automatic writing has been printed and cited inside the booklet.

Track listing

#"Rome 64 C.E." – 1:25
#"Slaying the Prophets ov Isa" – 3:23
#"Prometherion" – 3:03
#"At the Left Hand ov God" – 4:58
#"Kriegsphilosophie" – 4:23
#"Be Without Fear" – 3:17
#"Arcana Hereticae" – 2:58
#"Libertheme" – 4:53
#"Inner Sanctum" – 5:01
#"Pazuzu" – 2:36
#"Christgrinding Avenue" – 3:51

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.
*"Prometherion" is a portmanteau of Prometheus ( _el. Προμηθεύς; "forethought") and Therion ( _el. θηρίον; "wild animal" or "beast").
*"At the Left Hand ov God" is referring to The Left-Hand Path (Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path)
*"Kriegsphilosophie" is German for "war philosophy".
*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.

Chart performance

Personnel

*Nergal - Rhythm and Lead Guitar, Lead vocals
*Seth - Rhythm and Lead Guitar/Synth, Backing vocals
*Inferno - Blasts, recording vocals
*Orion - Bass, Backing vocals
*Leszek Możdżer - Piano on "Inner Sanctum"
*Warrel Dane - Vocals on "Inner Sanctum"

External links

* [http://www.behemoth.pl/en/main.php?src=teksty&lyr=10 Lyrics at the official website]