DVD REVIEW: In Absentia Dei – Behemoth

If our imprisonment at the hands of the pandemic gave us anything to savour, it’s the freedom creatives had finally been afforded. Unshackled from the constraints of industry-guided album cycles and calendar-conquering touring schedules, we saw artists conjure up visions of their art we had not yet been privy to. From lockdown albums to livestream events, the world really was their oyster and every artist and his dog hopped on the bandwagon like influencers to Tik Tok. Livestreams launched in their droves, and evenings were spent singing our hearts out to streams of empty stages in our bedrooms. And then BEHEMOTH sat up and said “hold our beers.” The result? In Absentia Dei.

Originally streamed on September 5th last year, the nearly two-hour immersive experience is immortalised in an audio-visual release forever. And thank god, because it’s a triumphant testament to Nergal and co.’s artistic vision that stretches the capabilities of extreme metal beyond its founders’ wildest underground dreams. Whereas its original offering gave us multi-cam options for every perspective possible, this DVD version is the directors cut, therefore delivered in its truest form. Whilst it lacks the freedom of choice the live version presented, not having to worry about finding the angle that fits each moment for you becomes a luxury as the mammoth four-act set moves on. 

Looking back, it’s safe to say In Absentia Dei effectively changed the livestream game. Whilst plenty of artists rehashed their rehearsal spaces into makeshift studios and select venues became behind-closed-doors treasure troves, few artists felt the need to be as ambitious as BEHEMOTH. Set in the confines of a crumbling, abandoned church, they fill the space with the kind of firepower RAMMSTEIN would find forgiving in addition to their trademark rituals and blasphemous symbolism. In short, In Absentia Dei is evidence of an artist being afforded the opportunity to fully realise their creative vision; it feels like their back catalogue is coming to life in every moment. 

Narratively, this is an exercise in exceptionalism. Every element of every act runs smoothly, each song transitioning into the next without interruption. If mistakes were made in its live recording, you’d have no idea here as it’s presented in a way that positions BEHEMOTH as extreme metal’s premier live band – and there’s no surprise there. Whilst black-and-white interludes attempt to tie together a loosely-fit narrative, it’s more obvious in what’s happening in ‘real-time’; witnessing Nergal’s transition from devotee to fully-fledged satanist throughout each act – thanks to costume changes, satanic rituals, and sweeping gestures – feels like The Satanist is being given its silver screen rights. 

In Absentia Dei not only highlights BEHEMOTH’s ability to eclipse extreme metal’s underground roots in favour of grander ambitions, but in turn shines a light on their ability to build a setlist from the ground up. 

Opening with 2020’s Evoe, you’re thrown headfirst into a bloodbath of melodic black metal that is as frenetic as it is fierce. From here on in, they dip into 10 of their 11 albums, pulling no punches as far as throwing out rarities goes. Act I benefits from hindsight, pairing modern-era cut Wolves Ov Siberia alongside Prometherion (from 2007’s Apostasy) and From The Pagan Wastelands (from 1995’s Sventevith), the latter of which hadn’t been played live since 2009. In many ways, In Absentia Dei acts as a history lesson for those diving head-first into BEHEMOTH’s revolutionary career. And in others, it acts as a symposium of their mastery for long-term fans, peppered with audible rewards.

The real highlight of In Absentia Dei’s immortalisation as a DVD is in its replayability. Unlike its limited livestream, you can return to each act as often as you like. It allows you to explore BEHEMOTH’s world as they intended you to, and it’s only on your third or fourth watch you’ll fully appreciate the attention to detail. In fact, it’s during these replays you’ll realise that songs like Ov Fire And The Void, As Above So Below and Bartzabel have never felt as complete as they do in this audio-visual experience; it’s almost like BEHEMOTH were waiting for this all these years.

All in all, In Absentia Dei is a monolithic two-hour monument to one of extreme metal’s most triumphant moments, right at the heart of a global pandemic threatening to put a stop to it all. The fact that it’s BEHEMOTH bringing blasphemy to a burning church is not surprising, but the fact it’s just as enjoyable on the fifth watch as it is the first is.

Rating: 10/10

In Absentia Dei is set for release on December 17th via Nuclear Blast Records.

Like BEHEMOTH on Facebook.