Album Review: Mayhem – Daemon (Century Media Records)

By the power of darkness and with the might of black-hearted will no two Mayhem albums have been or will ever be the same. Over the course of Mayhem’s storied and groundbreaking 35-year career—from Deathcrush (1987) through Esoteric Warfare (2014)—the Norwegians have continuously challenged the orthodoxy of the genre they helped create.

Originally informed by greats Hellhammer, Venom, Bathory, and Sodom, Mayhem eventually imbued their damnable attack with influences from all over the music extreme spectrum, indicated first on the harsh and angular Wolf’s Lair Abyss (1997) EP and foremost on the enterprisingly brutal and revolutionary Grand Declaration of War (2000). In 2019, Mayhem will yet again leave holy earth scorched on new album, Daemon.

Says guitarist Teloch:

I think this album will be most pleasing for old and new fans. As most of our devoted fans know, Mayhem has never released two albums that sound the same. That’s the case this time around as well. As I said, we simplified stuff, but at the same time tried out some new stuff to keep it interesting for ourselves and, also for our fans that dig that we are doing something new on each album.

Daemon will be released on October 25th 2019 via Century Media Records.

Back to pour hate and scorn across the metal world, legendary black metal band Mayhem provide a twisted and darkness covered listen with Daemon. It’s black metal, it’s Mayhem and it’s as horrid as you might hope to be. However, there’s definitely something a little different here too. Call it refinement of their sound or an understanding of how to deliver an old school black metal release without it sounding like it came straight from the garage on a tape deck.

There’s a bit more imagination here and it works in Mayhem’s favour. The drops in tempo in Agenda Ignis are early examples of this. Whereas later, the likes of Aeon Daemonium really thrives in the darkness and Daemon Spawn will haunt your waking nightmares. Mayhem often at their most evilly best.

Of course, Mayhem also know how to keep it simple and cause chaos at the same time. Letting rip with roaring slabs of roasted fleshy riffs, demonic howls of derision and a percussion section that drives you to the gates of madness. Bad Blood, Falsified and Hatred, Of Worms and Ruins just three tracks that erupt with power and efficiency.

Mayhem have set out to not only win over new fans but ensure their fanbase of old is happy too. Something that could blow up in their faces but happily, that is not the case for them. They know exactly what they’re doing and have no issue making sure their voices are well and truly heard here. Exactly as they want it to be heard.

It’s a pretty great release, one that serves as a grand reminder that the ‘old guard’ can still go. Not just as hard and heavy as the youngsters but also able to throw out the odd curveball too.

Mayhem – Daemon Full Track Listing:

1. The Dying False King
2. Agenda Ignis
3. Bad Blood
4. Malum
5. Falsified And Hated
6. Aeon Daemonium
7. Worthless Abominations Destroyed
8. Daemon Spawn
9. Of Worms And Ruins
10. Invoke The Oath
11. Everlasting Dying Flame (Bonus Track)
12. Black Glass Communion (Bonus Track)

Links

Website | Century Media Records