MAYHEM- “Liturgy of Death”

Century Media Records, February 6, 2026

Genre: Black Metal
Website: 
The True Mayhem
The True Mayhem Facebook
Mayhem Band Official Facebook Group
Duration: 48:54
Country: Norway
Cool Songs: “Ephemeral Eternity,” “Funeral Existence,” “The Sentence of Absolution”

The gods of Norwegian Black Metal, MAYHEM, return with a new album, “Liturgy of Death.” This album is a milestone, marking over forty years as a band. These forty years have been non-linear and progressive. MAYHEM could have stuck to the same sound as their earliest recordings, but that was never in the cards. With “Liturgy of Death,” the band reveals a more progressive side (one present for at least the last decade) than early material. The album is also very layered, which often relates to thick atmosphere.
It takes a couple of listens to truly understand what the band are doing, however.

One of the things that truly stands out about “Liturgy of Death” is their use of vocals. Attila was the vocalist when the group released their landmark debut full-length, “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”, left for a while, but came back and has been the vocalist for a couple of decades. His voice is hard to decipher on this album or any MAYHEM record. However, a few listens condition ear drums to hear his lyrics. Also, one can find their lyrics online, which vibe well with the album’s morbid themes. I digress, back to the singing. Attila once again shows his diversity, even using double tracks to showcase his range. Another aspect of the album worth checking out is the first song “Ephemeral Eternity.” This intro and opening vocals were laid down by none other than Garm and his group ULVER.

MAYHEM is blessed with one of the greatest drummers in the world, Hellhammer. While my initial reaction to the band’s progressive tendencies was “meh,” I could not do anything but praise Hellhammer’s drums. Because the album is so diversified in tempo, Hellhammer switches his drumming a lot. He can play jazzy notes or blast your face off, either way he once again proves he’s the best in Black Metal.

Onward to the complexity of the guitars section. Here is a place to look at the bass of MAYHEM original, Necrobutcher. His bass is deep and abyssal. Just like his bass solo on “Deathcrush,” his deep tones once again beckon the listener to take notice. On the guitar side is Ghul and Teloch. The two have been together for a couple of decades and their chemistry is undeniable. The riffs change a lot, which is hard to fathom at first, but a close listen shows they find riffs and repeat enough to make it catchy. Melody and harmonies also play a role in their playing.

Atmospherically, the band is on top of its game. My favorite track, “The Sentence of Absolution,” ends the album in a similar fashion to the opening tracks, as both are mired in atmosphere. This track is dynamic in tempo, but what stands out the most is the ending. The ending is primal and pagan. Hand drums and repeated phrases give this track a cult vibe. Very cool song, check it out!

I could go on all day about how great “Liturgy of Death” is, but I think you get the point. It’s a progressive, layered album of high skill by a veteran band who seemed to have found the winning lineup. Initial listens may not bring much to the table. “Liturgy of Death” is a cerebral album that takes sitting down and actually hearing what’s going on. Without a proper listen or two, the layers and other idiosyncrasies just can’t be fathomed. After several listens, I will say the album is a perfect 10.

Line-up:
Attila-Vocals
Teloch-Guitars
Ghul-Guitars
Bass-Necrobutcher
Drums-Hellhammer

Tracklist:
Ephemeral Eternity
Despair
Weep For Nothing
Aeon’s End
Funeral of Existence
Realm of Endless Misery
Propitious Death
The Sentence of Absolution

Rate: 10/10