Mayhem
Liturgy Of Death
Century Media
Mayhem are back, the biggest, baddest original Norwegian black metal band bring us their newest collection of chaotic sermons. So the question is, with a band with more on and off records than Megadeth is this one befitting of such a legendary name?
The early signs are great! Ephemeral Entity is huge and menacing, stately riffing stabs viciously behind Attila Cshar, putting in a black metal career-best vocal. The production is wide and deep, giving the rhythm section that all-important thunder. Musically speaking, it’s very technically adept, too. This is a far cry from Mysteriis Dom Sathanas production-wise, but in spirit, I’m sure Euronymous would definitely approve.
Attlia’s haunting chanting vocals on Despair give way to the twisted, gnarled voice of a man possessed by something intrinsically dark. Weep For Nothing is a master class in the original Mayhem sound with a 2026 makeover. The guitar tone here is strikingly early-nineties and bang-on the money. Funeral Of Existence breaks the blasting pace for a while midway, but it’s not long before it’s off to the races again, tonally this track is mournful and fittingly bleak and demonstrates a lot of interesting shifting dynamics thanks to some imperious guitarwork. Realm Of Endless Misery, with its hyperblast chaos, gives Anaal Nathrakh a run for their money sans drum machines. The pace does not let up here either until the climactic sounds of The Sentence Of Absolution casts us out blinking into the light.
This is definitely worthy of the lofty status Mayhem have amassed as the last word in black metal, and their legions should rejoice! A stunning return.
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Review By George Miller