Crush-Fukk-Create is the second DVD from Polish Death Metal juggernauts Behemoth and in many cases is a step in the right direction from their first one, The Art Of Rebellion. I remembered that I enjoyed that release primarily because we had no Behemoth DVD until then, but having seen this band perform live and knowing what they are capable of made it simply laughable to watch them in front of an audience that for the most part was sitting down. Sitting down during a Behemoth show? You would hardly think such a thing possible but that's what we got. On "CFC" we find two full appearances of the band that were filmed a little later in their career and while the audience is not as insane as some that I have been immersed in myself, they were certainly more lively than the ones on the previous film. The first concert finds Behemoth performing at Party San Open Air in 2003, and they call this segment "Live Pandemonium". The band is on fire and for those who are watching them in today's Metal world they will not see guitarist Seth, but instead find Havok ripping up the strings. Orion is there as is the ever present Inferno and I admit that I loved seeing the drummer spit fire a few times from behind his kit. You don't see this happening all that often in the States based on fire laws, but in Europe this seems to be more of a common practice. Nergal breathes fire as well during the other show, so I guess the task is not assigned to one member alone. I liked this concert the best since it was the closest to the Behemoth that I found myself getting into a couple of years ago and during a song break leader Nergal speaks to the crowd and tells them of their two album deal with Regain Records in Europe and in the USA with Century Media Records. Sadly we don't find the band performing any material off the stellar album to come, Demigod, but we do get a healthy serving of their sinister back catalog. It's a film like this that makes you feel the need to see Behemoth perform live and once you do you are either running for your safety or you are a fan for life. Choose your options wisely or get out of the way of the bands acolytes. This first show seems to be in a sizable club but while the audience is more active at points they don't yell as much as you would expect. Perhaps this was only the audio mix as this is not a boring band to witness at all. The second concert is actually a little older and brings us back to 2001 for the Mystic Festival and they call this part "Mother Khaoz on Stage". The group performs in a large open hall that looks almost like an airplane hangar and the vast ceiling makes them sound like they are performing in an echo chamber. During this time in the Behemoth history we don't see Orion on bass and instead have the abilities of Novy handling the role. I have to say that this was a very intense couple of concerts to sit through and they both prove without question that Behemoth is a band that must be seen live. You get the general idea from the album or a video, but it is in the live sense that they truly deliver the good and see to have always done so. Nergal is one of the most imposing band leaders in Death Metal history and he guides Behemoth into the genres record books night after night.
The second DVD features a lengthy documentary about life in the band and a little of its history. It's primarily in Polish but there are sub-titles to go along with it that make it easier to enjoy for those who can't understand the audio. The previous DVD had a long interview with Nergal which was probably really interesting but if you didn't speak the language this was wasted time. The documentary is excellent because we see two sides of the band Behemoth while we watch it. There is the intense and serious performing side with the fire and the brain crushing Metal and then there is the absolute madness of how they interact with each other while they are travelling on the bus, backstage, and with the other bands who they are touring with. There is a lot of drunken abuse of each other and antics that will make the prankster in anyone laugh out loud. Also featured in the documentary are some great live segments from the bands early years. Many guest stars make an appearance during this part of the film such as Krisiun, Amon Amarth, Vader and many more. There is also a sixteen page booklet with the video that gives you a lot of photos of Behemoth in action from the past and present. There are also a lot of liner notes to read about the bands storied past. This is a great DVD for fans of crushing extreme Death Metal, or those who are curious about a band like Behemoth. I felt this was among the safest of means to find out if this band is for you or not.
Track Listing
1. Antichristian Phenomenon
2. From The Pagan Vastlands
3. Heru Ra Ha: Let There Be Might
4. Christians To The Lions
5. Hekau 718
6. No Sympathy For Fools
7. Decade Of Therion
8. As Above So Below
9. Chant For Eschaton 2000
10. Pure Evil And Hate
11. Christians To The Lions
12. Decade Of Therion
13. From The Pagan Vastlands
14. Antichristian Phenomenon
15. LAM
16. Satan's Sword (I Have Become)
17. Chant For Eschaton 2000
18. As Above So Below – video
19. Christians To The Lions - video
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
