Mayhem : "Liturgy of Death"

 

Moving in a bigger and more symphonic direction for their new album, Norway's black metal icons Mayhem keep things dark even if it means crossing over into a marginally more accessible style that feels more like Dimmu Borgir in its epic scope. Hellhammer is behind the drum kit, so that brings a larger-than-life flurry of double bass. Obviously, Necrobutcher and Atilla are crafting these songs with guitarists who have been with them for well over a decade now. Atilla is more confident in his voice though what he does is not as different as you might expect. The burst of operatic bellow is more controlled, and his groans are well layered against the screams. The second song finds them accelerating the momentum, but it is well guided with enough restraint to serve the song. 

"Weep For Nothing' chugs along with enough menace, but is not as melodically adorned as the first two songs. Atilla makes many pained declarations, as things sweep along, but it's more likea chaotic ride through a black metal-themed amusement park ride. Blast beats race off with 'Aeon's End" as many fans of the genre will be overjoyed by the more extreme passages of hyper aggression. "Funeral of Exsistence" employs the kind of cold, ringing chords that inspired bands like Dissection and Watain, before galloping to victory. It does accelerate in a more predictable black metal fashion, but it works well enough. Hellhammer's ability to turn a passage around on the next beat gives them the ability to shift seamlessly in complex arrangements, showing the benefit of a band being only as good as their drummer. 

For this to be Necrobutcher's band, the bass is buried in the mix until "Realm of Endless Misery". 'Propitious Death' finds them racing at you with a more Dimmu-like fury. There is a fucking awesome riff that kicks in a minute into things and rips your head off with very deliberate purpose and groove. The last song writhes and rages with the intensity you want from these guys, but does not hook you in like the previous song;  instead, you are plunged into a seething cauldron of sound. I will give this album a 9.5 and see how it grows on me. I think it is an expansion and refinement of the sound they are known for, with the only great risk being not more experimental or abrasive.It drops Febuary 6th on Century Media.  

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