Behexen

Behexen
Behexen at Nosturi 20 November 2009
Background information
Also known as	Lords of the Left Hand
Origin	Hämeenlinna / Tampere, Finland
Genres	Black metal
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Woodcut Records, Dynamic Arts Records, Grievantee Productions, Sinister Figure Records, Hammer of Hate
Associated acts	Sargeist Horna
Website	kolumbus.fi/anniina.sade/HTML//

Behexen is a Finnish black metal band founded in 1994. They adopted a more traditional approach to black metal by incorporating raw characteristics. Their first full-length release was Rituale Satanum, released in 2000 and followed by By the Blessing of Satan in 2004. They have also released a split with Horna (12" LP limited to 500 and CD 1000 pieces) and a 3-vinyl set "From the Devil's Chalice" (limited to 666 copies). The band adopts to a highly Satanic theme in their music and makes it more obvious than many other black metal bands.

Behexen toured Europe in 2005, as a support act to Archgoat.

Behexen adopts to highly satanic lyrics and imagery. Vocalist and lyricist Hoath Torog identifies himself as a satanist. Torog explained in an interview following the release of their album Nightside Emanations, "Behexen is a magical tool and channel formed in 1995, which brings the voices of our gods to be heard, and works as an intermediary for their destructive emanations on this world. Our journey has taken nearly twenty years, and has included many phases, but today our temple shines the light of our lord brighter than ever before." Regarding Behexen's influences, Hoath stated very vaguely that everything "esoteric and exoteric that surrounds us can inspire us. Books, religions, magic, death, music...All the things that we hear, see and experience can feed our inspiration. I get influences from my own life and experiences amongst the occult. Black magic is a comprehensive part of my life, so it's natural that my inspiration comes from there." Behexen's original name, Lords of the Left Hand, was inspired by a Samhain song title of the same name.