The Unholy Trinity live at Zenith Munich – Concert Report
- L7
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Expectations: Fire, darkness, and classics
Seeing Behemoth live is nothing new for me. This must have been the tenth or fifteenth time, I’ve honestly lost count. Even during times when their new releases didn’t fully excite me, their live shows always pulled me right back in. And this time was no different.
Before the tour, they released two new singles. The Shit ov God didn’t really grab me at first — the lyrics felt a bit uninspired — but more on that later. The Shadow Elite, on the other hand, hit exactly the kind of dark, heavy tone I like from Behemoth.
I had never seen Satyricon live before. I’ve always been a bigger fan of their earlier records, but I had no doubt that their show would be intense and memorable.
Arrival and Entry
Everything went smoothly this time. No stress, no delays, no issues. I got there with plenty of time, entered quickly, and even managed to grab a solid spot near the front. Perfect for enjoying the bands and a few beers.
Merch Check
There was a wide selection of merch from all three bands. Shirts, hoodies, patches, posters, vinyl – something for every taste. But to be honest, the designs didn’t do much for me.
Rotting Christ had the best designs overall. I usually expect more from Behemoth, whose merch is often super creative. This time though, their designs felt surprisingly flat. And when shirts cost €45 and hoodies €90, it wasn’t a hard decision for me to skip it. Maybe next time.
Beer Check
As always at Zenith: Meckatzer. Solid choice for a metal show, and it was a good night to enjoy a few beers.
Sadly, no tour cups this time – which was disappointing, especially since this tour poster would have looked amazing on one.
Rotting Christ – Pure pressure, pure energy
I don’t listen to Rotting Christ very often. I don’t own any of their vinyls, and I only hear them occasionally through someone else’s playlists. I never really felt a strong connection to their albums.
But after this show? I might need to change that.
From beginning to end, they delivered a relentless, powerful performance. The drums were thunderous, their stage presence was commanding, and the energy never dipped. I don’t even know if they played only hits – but it sure felt like they did. Everyone around me was singing, shouting, and fully into it.
Several friends had told me to check them out live — and yeah, you were right. Thanks for the push.
Satyricon – Full force on stage
Finally. I remember listening to Satyricon nonstop during my first trip to Norway. Now, years later, I got to see them live for the first time — and they opened with my absolute favorite: Now, Diabolical.
Powerful vocals, massive drums, and a dominating stage presence. It felt like they were always standing on the edge of the stage, almost diving into the crowd while shaking their hair and hammering out riffs.
It was honestly better than I expected. And when they closed with K.I.N.G., the entire Zenith sang along from start to finish. A proper ending to a killer set.
Behemoth – The fire, the force, the ritual
(Setlist spoilers ahead!)
Behemoth shows always bring it all. Fire, ritualistic staging, heavy sound, unexpected throwbacks and of course, the essential classics.
One of the things I love about this band is how every member has their place and their moment. Nergal might get the spotlight most often, but this is no one-man show — Orion, Inferno and Seth complete the live experience in a way that feels fully intentional and rehearsed.
Speaking of which: Inferno deserves special mention once again. Year after year, show after show, he proves he’s one of the best drummers out there. The speed, the control, the intensity — it’s just insane.
They opened with The Shadow Elite, and it was a perfect choice. Brutal, sharp, and crushing live.
A song I was skeptical about beforehand: The Shit ov God. As a single, the lyrics didn’t work for me. But live? Totally different story. The energy was insane, and the crowd went all in. Plus, Nergal’s new bodypaint-style look really adds a unique visual impact.
Bartzabel came next – an expected moment, but still magical. Inferno’s signature drum intro, the theatrical presence of Nergal in his “papal” headwear — I’ve seen this track performed under tough conditions, but this time, everything clicked.
Christians to the Lions was another crushing highlight — fire, precision, and no mercy.
One surprise that no one saw coming: Christgrinding Avenue. Absolutely welcome. Same for Cursed Angel of Doom — according to Nergal, the very first song Behemoth ever wrote. It was raw and powerful, and perfect for this kind of show.
Then came Wolves ov Siberia. Honestly, I don’t remember if I’ve ever heard it live before, but I’ve always wanted to. It’s a track I think got a bit lost between bigger releases, which is a shame — because it slaps. Live, it sounded massive. It was played behind a curtain that projected the music video. Not my favorite way to experience a live song, but I assume there was a technical reason behind it — maybe rearranging things for the next act. Either way, I’m glad it was included.
They closed with my favorite: O Father O Satan O Sun!. It wasn’t the strongest version I’ve ever heard from them, but it was a fitting finale — intense, fiery, and deeply satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Tours like this are more than welcome. Three iconic bands, each of them strong enough to headline on their own, joining forces for a shared concept that actually works. Even the ticket price reflected it: €66.60. Couldn’t be more fitting.
I hope Satyricon return soon for a headlining tour — maybe with some lesser-known bands in support. I’d definitely be there.
And as Nergal said that night:Black Metal is not dead. Let’s show it’s more alive than ever.
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