Beherit
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in Rovaniemi, Finland |
| Founder | Marko Laiho, Jari Vaarala, Jari Pirinen |
| Headquarters | Rovaniemi , Finland |
| Products | Black metal music, dark ambient music |
Beherit is a black metal group originating from Rovaniemi, Finland, established in 1989 by Marko Laiho (known as Nuclear Holocausto Vengeance), Jari Vaarala (Demonic Fornication), and Jari Pirinen (Sodomatic Slaughter). Their objective was to craft "the most primitive, savage, hell-obsessed black metal imaginable". The term "Beherit" is said to derive from the Syriac language, meaning "Satan". Their uncompromising style in music, imagery, and live performances swiftly garnered a devoted cult audience. Characterized by a raw sonic quality combined with an avant-garde focus on atmosphere, Beherit has earned recognition as a foundational force in the black metal genre.
During their initial period as a full ensemble, Beherit produced one full-length album alongside several demos and compilations showcasing stripped-down, minimalist black metal. The group disbanded following the release of their experimental 1993 album Drawing Down the Moon, which has since become a classic within the genre. Afterward, frontman Laiho pursued solo efforts under the Beherit name, issuing two dark ambient records: H418ov21.C (1994) and Electric Doom Synthesis (1995). Although entirely electronic, these works maintained the band's signature atmospheric essence. In 2008, original members Nuclear Holocausto and Sodomatic Slaughter revived Beherit as a quartet, joined by newcomers Ancient Corpse Desekrator and Abyss.
Initial phase (1989–1990)
Formed in 1989 by three musicians from Lapland’s Rovaniemi—vocalist/guitarist Nuclear Holocausto Vengeance (Marko Laiho), bassist Daemon Fornication, and drummer Sodomatic Slaughter (Jari Pirinen)—Beherit introduced themselves with three demos released in 1990: Seventh Blasphemy, Morbid Rehearsals, and Demonomancy. Their provocative stage acts, which included pig heads and goats as props, attracted considerable attention.
The Oath of Black Blood (1991–1992)
The 1991 compilation album The Oath of Black Blood comprises recordings from June to September 1990. This release delivers rapid, aggressive old-school black metal infused with elements of death metal, thrash metal, and grindcore. Notably, it is not a conventional studio album. Although Turbo Music financed the band’s recording sessions, the funds were reportedly spent on alcohol. Subsequently, the label compiled the demo Demonomancy together with the 7-inch EP Dawn of Satan's Millennium into an album without the band’s approval, titling it The Oath of Black Blood, which was initially intended as a new album name. In a 1992 interview with Metal Hammer, Laiho voiced his strong displeasure over this unauthorized release:
"I hate the album! It's so bad, we never wanted to release it. The songs are from our 'Demonomancy' demo and our label Turbo Music just used a regular cassette for the album pressing. Honestly, I never sent them the master tape... We're planning to release a proper LP soon, this time on my own label. The result should be much better."
Despite these issues, the album is now acknowledged as an official full-length record and was re-issued by Spinefarm Records in 2005 and Season of Mist in 2006. In 1991, the band briefly adopted the name The Lord Diabolus and issued one demo before reverting to Beherit; tracks such as "Intro (Tireheb)" and "Nocturnal Evil" were later re-released under Beherit’s catalog.
Drawing Down the Moon (1993)
Beherit's landmark release, Drawing Down the Moon, was recorded from April to August 1992 and issued in 1993 as their debut official full-length album. Drawing its title from a Wiccan ceremonial practice, the record stood out within the black metal genre for its experimental nature, blending whispered vocals with cosmic electronic synthesizers to establish a trance-like ambiance. This album was re-released by Candlelight Records in 2006.
Ambient era (1994–1996)
After the acclaim of Drawing Down the Moon, Beherit disbanded in 1994. The band's founder, Nuclear Holocausto, continued to produce two dark ambient works under the Beherit name: H418ov21.C and Electric Doom Synthesis. Amid waning black metal popularity, he also explored dark ambient music as Suuri Shamaani and ventured into hardcore techno under the alias DJ Gamma-G.
Return to black metal, Engram (2009)
In 2008, Beherit reassembled with original members Nuclear Holocausto and Sodomatic Slaughter, alongside new additions Ancient Corpse Desekrator and Abyss. This marked their return to black metal and a full band setup following a period of solo activity between 1994 and 1996. Their 2009 release, Engram, represented their third black metal album and their first in over a decade.
The band's sixth album, Bardo Exist, released in 2020, indicated a revival of their black ambient style.
Conflicts
As early contributors to the second wave of black metal, Beherit played a crucial role in advancing the Finnish scene alongside groups such as Impaled Nazarene and Barathrum. This prominence led to a conflict between Norwegian and Finnish factions known as the "Dark War." According to tongue-in-cheek accounts, tensions arose from misunderstandings and pranks involving Laiho. Mika Luttinen of Impaled Nazarene reported receiving death threats from Norway; his band's debut included a declaration opposing "orders from Norway," which he later described as immature. Laiho recognized the division within the black metal community but remained largely indifferent toward these disputes.
Current members
- Nuclear Holocausto (Marko Laiho of Black Crucifixion) – vocals, guitars, keyboards, programming (1989–1996, 2008–present)
- Sodomatic Slaughter (Jari Pirinen of Black Crucifixion) – drums (1989–1991, 2008–present)
- Ancient Corpse Desekrator (Sami Tenetz) (Thy Serpent) – guitars (2008–present)
- Abyss (Pasi Kolehmainen) – bass (2008–present)
Former members
- Black Jesus (Santtu Siippainen) (ex. Coffin) – bass (1991–1992)
- Daemon Fornication/Demon Fornication (Jari Vaarala) – bass (1989–1990)
- Kimmo Luttinen (Catamenia, Impaled Nazarene, The Black League) – drums
- Necroperversor (Pekka Virkanen) (ex. Coffin) – drums (1991–1992)
Albums
- Drawing Down the Moon (1993)
- H418ov21.C (1994)
- Electric Doom Synthesis (1995)
- Engram (2009)
- At the Devil's Studio 1990 (2011)
- Bardo Exist (2020)
- WBRRR (2023)
Compilations
- The Oath of Black Blood (1991)
- Beast of Beherit – Complete Worxxx (1999)
EPs and demos
- Seventh Blasphemy (1990)
- Morbid Rehearsals (1990)
- Demonomancy (1990)
- Dawn of Satan's Millennium (1990)
- Diabolus Down There (as The Lord Diabolus, 1991)
- Unreleased Studio Tracks (1991)
- Promo 1992 (1992)
- Messe des morts (1994)
- Celebrate the Dead (2012)
Splits
- Beherit / Death Yell (1991)
- Messe des morts / Angel Cunt (collaboration with Archgoat, 1999)