Austrian extreme metal titans Belphegor are revisiting one of the most savage chapters of their history. Mystic Production, under a new deal with Nuclear Blast, has launched its Classic Blast series by bringing the band’s 2006 masterpiece, Pestapokalypse VI, back into the light. Order it now!
When it first landed nearly two decades ago, Pestapokalypse VI quickly became a benchmark for how to blend black and death metal without losing an ounce of ferocity. It’s an album defined by Helmuth’s razor-sharp riffing and the kind of relentless blast beats that would make a pneumatic drill look lazy. The production on this one always hit that sweet spot – raw enough to feel dangerous, but clear enough to show off the band’s technical chops.
This reissue isn’t just a simple digital slap-on-the-back either. Collectors can get their hands on a 1CD Mediabook featuring a 20-page booklet, or go for the vinyl options which include a 180g Sunburst or Splatter variant in a gatefold sleeve. It’s a proper way to celebrate an album that helped cement the band’s legacy as one of the most uncompromising acts in the scene.
The band are currently as busy as ever, having recently dropped their atmospheric new single “Scarlet Beast – Leviathan” ahead of their thirteenth studio album. We caught them at the Tons of Rock festival last year, and they were every bit the unholy ritual we expected. While they are currently tearing through North America, we’re still waiting for that elusive UK tour to be announced.
Header image: Afra Catharina / metal1.info
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