Ordo Ad Chao - Mayhem

With Ordo Ad Chao, Mayhem have taken the immutable principles of black metal and have created an album that, I believe, along with the music of Deathspell Omega, starts to redefine what black metal is.

Black metal used to be an excersise in making essentially very melodic music fast, atmospheric and controversial.

The cutting edge of black metal is now very different. The one weak point in most black metal is the use ...
...other music and is just presented in a 'black metal' idiom.

What Mayhem have created here is a sound that bears little to no resemblance to old black metal yet is more black than the likes of darkthrone or ulver.

Honestly this is quite a special album. It truly delves into very dark audial territory that has been rarely trodden before and quite honestly after listening, the old black metal sounds weak and childish compared.
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With Ordo Ad Chao, Mayhem have taken the immutable principles of black metal and have created an album that, I believe, along with the music of Deathspell Omega, starts to redefine what black metal is.

Black metal used to be an excersise in making essentially very melodic music fast, atmospheric and controversial.

The cutting edge of black metal is now very different. The one weak point in most black metal is the use of defined melody, harmony that is essentially no different to other music and is just presented in a 'black metal' idiom.

What Mayhem have created here is a sound that bears little to no resemblance to old black metal yet is more black than the likes of darkthrone or ulver.

Honestly this is quite a special album. It truly delves into very dark audial territory that has been rarely trodden before and quite honestly after listening, the old black metal sounds weak and childish compared.

Attila the vocalist here provides an excellent alternative to the traditional black metal screech. His voice writhes with the music and is primitive, vital and full of character.

Hellhammer in this provides an absolute tour de force on the drums and excels himself. This is drumming at its very best.

Blasphemer creates what can be only described as the sound of waves crashing together. This is how black metal guitars should be doing

Necrobutcher has an important role on this album of laying the earth-shattering foundation to the music. A vital role in mayhem.

All members surpassed themselves in making this and only can only applaud them.

The design of the packaging is also perfect. There is no sense to it and this is exactly what is needed.

This album can only receive a perfect score because not only does it tread new territory but it does so with such accomplishment that it is clear this sound world is the future of black metal along with Deathspell Omega, Blut aus nord and other such bands. 

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