Jun 15 2026, 9.34am / Features
Dear Joey and Brooke, What a wild ride! I just wanted to write to express …
BEHEMOTH with Watain + Bölzer — 170 Russell, Melbourne 4 October 2015
Walking towards the venue, I witnessed a plague of metal fans clad in black with the occasional pair of camo cargo pants.
Bölzer // Photo: Ben Gunzburg
Entering, I knew I lacked the long, greasy hair and tribal tattoos to hold any sort of cred with these people. The venue wreaked of Old Spice, leading me to believe that my grandfather could possibly be here. Judging by the age of some fans, he could very well be. I can’t help but feel like fans see the concert as a fashion show, impressive sewing skills on display as they show off the patches embroidered on denim vests. The joke’s on them—it’s never fashionable to wear a pair of Asics or New Balance with jeans. By the time I reached the stage, I had seen enough butterfly tramp stamps to last a lifetime.
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You lie, Speakman. – Tom Valcanis
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I missed the majority of Bölzer’s set. Here’s a band who don’t do media related tasks due to the band being evil. If a band proclaims that they are evil, I’ll humour them. Besides, if they despise media attention, who am I to say otherwise? Fuck them, read on.
Watain // Photo: Ben Gunzburg
Watain were next up to perform their musically-inclined duties. To be honest, I’d be anxious to be playing right before Behemoth. Watain don’t share my sentiment – showing the crowd that they mean business. Members are adorned with face paint, they fit the black metal description. Surely I’ve seen this all before. Nergal, anyone? Watain are made for the stage, they move upon it in sync with each member, like gears in a clock. While the crowd seems to enjoy the performance, singing along, not a single soul moves. I’m disappointed that we didn’t get to witness to the controversial antics that the band are known for. I walk away from the stage without a single drop of animal blood on me. Fans cheered during Watain’s curtain call. Is that because they enjoyed the band’s set or because they knew that Behemoth were on next?
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Behemoth know how to work a crowd.
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Here’s the thing about Watain. They stink. Smearing themselves with animal blood gets whiffy. Good for us we weren’t anywhere near them. I’m sure our snapper Benny G copped most of it, poor lad. The other thing about Watain. They disguise classic riffs as their own. No one seems to care. They rip off Seek & Destroy, Hallowed Be Thy Name and One. It’s not as good as Dissection. Dissection are dead, so Watain—go for your life. I laughed when a mate of mine showed me a Facebook status update from a dad hating trve black metal fan. “Watain are shit.” lol. Watain think you’re shit, and wouldn’t waste the keystrokes on you. – TV
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Let’s just start with the facts: Behemoth know how to work a crowd. The menacing Nergal climbs the stage and lights a fire within a dark venue. Behemoth’s on-stage act is a spectacle in itself. You’re left feeling like you’ve just watched something immense.
Behemoth // Photo: Ben Gunzburg
Nergal controls the crowd, the frontman’s voice radiates with an air of defiance. Flames set the stage alight. The crowd eats it all up. Nergal is a true show man, far more than just a musician. Behemoth’s performance incites something deep within, they make you feel like they are your kin.
Where Watain lacked in crowd participation, Behemoth lit a fire under everyone. The crowd is at the band’s mercy. There’s a lady standing next to me who is headbanging with her whole body, she’s really into it. I worry that she will develop an early onset of arthritis. I leave the venue feeling the need to burn a bible or set fire to a church. Sorry mum.
Apologies to mother indeed – Behemoth have set the god damned benchmark for heavy metal performance in this country. Without the baked-on schtick of a Ghost or GWAR, Behemoth is an all-engorging feast for the eyes and ears. Why not let poor Seth into the band? Dude can shred fifteen ways from Yngwie. Standing stone-like, wearing crowns of goathorns At the Left Hand ov God, we dared not look away. This was communion with the Satanist. A burst of poisoned adrenaline surged like rapids through us. This was true blasphemy. This was what we metalheads were born to experience. – TV
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