ZOS KIA CULTUS (CENTURY MEDIA, 2002)
This kick ass a song appears on Behemoth‘s sixth album, Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond). This is the first album I heard from Behemoth.
As Above So Below is a phrase tracing back to the Emerald Tablet, a Hermetic text from around 2,000 years ago. It’s a core principle in occultism, symbolizing the connection between the earthly (material) and the spiritual (divine) realms — a concept central to Hermetic philosophy. This idea of unity between opposing forces resonates deeply in esoteric traditions, alchemy, and ritual magic, where it represents the balance and interplay between the macrocosm (universe) and microcosm (individual).
The phrase has been widely adopted in modern occultism, New Age circles, and even popular culture, including music and films. In the context of black and death metal, bands like Behemoth probably use it to evoke themes of spiritual duality, transgression, and the exploration of forbidden knowledge — which are key elements in their lyrical and visual aesthetics. Behemoth, in particular, often references occultism, the Bible, Satanism, and related aspects in their music. They frequently explain the deeper meanings behind their songs in album booklets.
There are at least two songs with this title that I know of and enjoy: Behemoth’s version and King Satan’s version. They’re different songs that just share the same title.
To be honest, the specific meaning or story behind Behemoth’s song isn’t that important to me. What matters is that the song is really good — and so is the entire album it appears on. I’ve even written the title of the song in a few of my paintings, and yes, I’m always referring to this very song.
AS ABOVE SO BELOW | pencil & fineliner on paper | 2024