Behemoth have returned to salute foundational heavy extremists Bathory with a new cover of the Swedish icons’ “The Return of Darkness and Evil.”
The heavy tribute was issued by Adam “Nergal” Darski and Co. today (April 8th), and has been delivered as the official anthem behind this year’s Mystic Festival in Gdansk, Poland, which runs June 3rd-6th.
“‘The Return of Darkness and Evil’ is the perfect song to embody the festival’s atmosphere and become its musical manifestation,” Nergal said of the cover choice, the original having been delivered all the way back on Bathory’s second LP, 1985’s The Return of the Darkness and Evil.
A new video for the cut has Behemoth toasting the double-barreled and bombastically d-beating arrangement in a snowy battlefield full of frigid trolls. Cloaks and spiked gauntlets are a must to face the chilly conditions. They mount their metal campaign cackling into the wind.
You can see how Behemoth fare by giving the Bathory cover a spin up above. The song is Behemoth’s first major release since delivering last year’s The Shit ov God.
The upcoming Mystic Festival also features Megadeth, Anthrax, Black Label Society, Down, Mastodon, Ice Nine Kills and many more. Behemoth close out the festival with a headlining set on June 6th. You’ll find more info over here.
As previously reported, Behemoth also launch their North American tour with Deicide, Rotting Christ and Immolation next Tuesday (April 14th) at the Observatory in San Diego, California. The full run-of-dates on that trip can be peeped over here.