Polish blackened death metal titans Behemoth have officially announced an expanded reissue of their groundbreaking 1998 album Pandemonic Incantations. Long considered a pivotal release in the band’s evolution from their early black metal roots to the more extreme, aggressive sound that would define their later work, Pandemonic Incantations remains a fan favorite for its raw energy, complex arrangements, and occult themes. This reissue aims not only to celebrate the legacy of the album but to present it in a way that both honors its past and enhances it for a modern audience.
The reissue comes with a fully remastered version of the original album, bringing a newfound clarity and power to the production without sacrificing the gritty atmosphere that fans originally fell in love with. Guitarist and frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski has long expressed a desire to revisit Pandemonic Incantations, often referring to it as a “turning point” in Behemoth’s sonic identity. The new mastering process has been handled with care to retain the essence of the original recordings while enhancing its dynamic range and sonic punch.
More than just a sonic facelift, the reissue includes a second disc of rare and previously unreleased material from the Pandemonic era. These include rehearsal takes, early demo versions of several tracks, and live performances from late-90s shows—capturing the raw power and chaos of Behemoth’s formative years. Among the standout additions is an unreleased track that didn’t make the final album cut, offering fans a glimpse into the creative process of the band during a critical point in their development.
The expanded edition will also include a comprehensive booklet featuring new liner notes by Nergal himself, where he reflects on the album’s creation, its impact on the band’s career, and the turbulent years that followed its release. The artwork has also been revisited; while staying true to the original’s aesthetic, the reissue boasts updated visuals that are darker, more detailed, and aligned with the band’s current visual identity. Original artist Krzysztof Szpajdel, often called the “Lord of the Logos,” returned to contribute new elements to the visual presentation.
What makes this reissue particularly exciting is the historical significance of Pandemonic Incantations within Behemoth’s discography. It marked the first appearance of drummer Inferno, whose technical prowess would come to define the band’s sound in the decades that followed. It also saw the band shift from a more traditional black metal style into the heavier, more aggressive fusion of black and death metal that would dominate their later work, especially on albums like Satanica and Thelema.6.
To coincide with the reissue, Behemoth have announced a limited run of shows where they will perform Pandemonic Incantations in its entirety for the first time. These exclusive performances will take place in select cities across Europe and North America and are expected to be highly theatrical events, reflecting the band’s reputation for dramatic and intense live shows. Fans can expect elaborate stage design, new visuals inspired by the reissue artwork, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear some of Behemoth’s earliest compositions live.
Collectors will also be pleased to know that the reissue will be available in several formats, including a deluxe vinyl box set, CD digipak, and a digital deluxe version. The vinyl edition will feature colored variants, an etched D-side, and exclusive artwork inserts, making it a must-have for longtime fans and vinyl enthusiasts alike.
With this expanded edition, Behemoth are not merely looking back—they are reasserting the relevance and power of Pandemonic Incantations in the broader scope of extreme metal history. As the band continues to evolve, this reissue serves as both a nod to their past and a reminder of the primal energy that fueled their rise to the top of the genre.
