Polish extreme metal institution BEHEMOTH have released an official music video for their crushing cover of BATHORY's 'The Return Of Darkness And Evil'. The track serves as the official anthem for Mystic Festival 2026, one of Europe's premier extreme metal events, taking place at the legendary Gdańsk Shipyard in Poland from June 3–6, 2026.
The video, produced by Grupa 13, bathes the performance in eerie, atmospheric lighting that fits both BEHEMOTH's theatrical stage presence and the malevolent spirit of the original BATHORY classic. A limited-edition vinyl pressing of the cover has been made available in three color variants for collectors.
BEHEMOTH frontman Nergal explained the choice of song with characteristic passion: "It has everything that's needed — an anthem-like character, fantastic groove, great lyrics that I completely identify with, and an extremely catchy chorus." The band, celebrating 35 years of existence, has grown from Polish underground stalwarts into one of the most visually and sonically spectacular live acts in extreme metal, with their recent Paris Philharmonic concert broadcast by Arte TV serving as a testament to their ambition.
BEHEMOTH will perform on the main stage on Saturday, June 6 at Mystic Festival 2026 alongside a staggering lineup that includes MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, MASTODON, MARDUK, ROTTING CHRIST, and over 20 other acts. The Gdańsk Shipyard setting — the birthplace of Poland's Solidarity movement — lends an added layer of historical gravitas to what promises to be one of the festival season's most unmissable shows.