It’s often too easy to get caught up in the whole background and semi-mythology of Mayhem, particularly with the Lords Of Chaos film adding to their fragmented history but at the core of it all is still a band. Whether that band is actually one that lives up to its myth is another thing altogether, and can only be fully decided by the near impossible task of splitting away from the past, but needs inform the review and its with open eyes and ears that we approach new album Liturgy Of Death.
Of course, outside of their beginnings Mayhem have actually forged an impressive path through extreme metal, both helping develop the intrinsic Nordic black metal sound, and pushing its boundaries (see Grand Declaration of War), but their recent past has seen a more refined operatic black metal approach, exemplified on this new album. ‘Ephemeral Eternity’ pretty much sets its stall out and the pace doesn’t relent from there. Take the frantic drumming on ‘Despair’ which cements Mayhem’s place at the top of the most intense of bands, this restless urge to continually confront our senses and never, ever relent from their chosen path is plaudits enough. It’s also their downfall in some respects too, and the music is something of a closed shop to those looking for a way in. Indeed, it almost becomes slightly derivative.
Outside the music, it’s atmosphere that counts though, and the frigid chills that blow through Liturgy Of Death are blasts of Nordic ice designed to crack your skin open with its harsh edges. Vocals which range from screams to operatic wails are frill of malevolent energy, whilst the guitar buzzes away like some possessed demon. There are some genuinely creepy moments, albeit counterbalanced by some hammy horror antics. It’s all par for course with Mayhem though and anyone who has either been with them since the beginning or dipped in and out will know what to expect.
In terms of extreme music, they are probably tempered somewhat these days but Mayhem still possess an innate energy in their music. 49 years down the line and they are still able to put together an album a ch as this is no mean feat and fans will find much to enjoy. Whether it progresses the band from their past remains to be seen, but quite frankly we have enough new bands pushing extreme music. Let Mayhem do what they do best, which is channel their explosive energy into albums such as this. A hugely enjoyable album from one of the defining bands of heavy metal.
