Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH have released the official music video for their cover version of the BATHORY classic ‘The Return Of Darkness And Evil’.
The track is the official anthem of Poland’s Mystic Festival 2026.
BEHEMOTH frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski comments: “‘The Return Of Darkness And Evil’ by BATHORY has always been a particularly important song for me. Last season, I got to collaborate with BLOOD FIRE DEATH, a tribute project for this Swedish legend. I then asked Erik [Danielsson] from WATAIN, who was singing this song during the project’s concerts, if he wouldn’t mind sharing at least one verse, so that I could also sing it. Seeing his reaction, I immediately understood he has as strong a connection with the song as I do, and he wasn’t about to share it with anyone.
“When Michał Wardzała suggested that BEHEMOTH should create the anthem for Mystic Festival, I was game immediately,” Nergal continued. “I had only one condition — that it won’t be an original song, but a cover. ‘The Return Of Darkness And Evil’ has everything that’s needed — an anthem-like character, fantastic groove, great lyrics that I completely identify with, and an extremely catchy chorus. I came to the conclusion, that it is the perfect song to embody the festival’s atmosphere and become its musical manifestation.”
BEHEMOTH will perform at the Mystic Festival 2026 on Saturday, June 6 on the main stage.
The festival lineup also includes MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, ANTHRAX, DOWN, MASTODON, ELECTRIC WIZARD, SAXON, BLOOD INCANTATION, ICE NINE KILLS, CAVALERA, OVERKILL, THE GATHERING, CARPENTER BRUT, BLOODYWOOD, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, DECAPITATED, DEATH TO ALL, SIX FEET UNDER, STATIC-X, SCOUR, MARDUK, ROTTING CHRIST and CORONER.