Feed Your Daemons!
I’ve probably said this before, but I have always been a bit wary of death metal, maybe it’s the portrayal in the media and the focus on the Satanic elements, as opposed to the quality of the material that these bands create. It’s a shame really but animal sacrifice and the general mystery aura that surrounds this music probably embeds a fear that is hard to shake off. Unfortunately, my brief fling with Mayhem goes back a few years, for those who remember the Euronymous situation will understand my reservation.
There is nothing that our Norwegian cousins have not seen in their 35 years of darkness, yet here they are with an outstanding new album, pulverising every cell, divvying up your corpse to the ‘Daemon’ they feed.
Opener ‘The Dying False King’ contains more adjectives than you can shake your stick at, and with choice words like ‘betrayer’ and ‘perverted’ and ’prepare for death’ for those with a strong constitution, you’re right at home. With an operatic, soul-stealing interlude at 2.44
you have the sweet- scented rose sitting prettily next to the morbidly raging belladonna.
This is a journey into the realms of deepest, darkest corruption and, let fear be your guide my friends as you face the stuff of nightmares.
The terror-fest continues with more murderous anthems and vitriolic language, that is steeped in anger and hatred, but to be honest I can’t really blame them considering the state of it all. We hear the refrain in ‘Bad Blood’ a thirst for revenge, and a promise that ‘when the time comes, I will have you killed’, sleep with one eye open methinks.
It gets a bit Marie Antoinette hereabouts, but what’s a few severed heads between friends, eh? Incessant, relentless, and ‘get in the pit’ drumming throughout, I mean come on, my friends let’s go!
Latin lyrics always excite me, adding weight, depth and an intellectual insight into Mayhem and their work ethic. A glorification of sorts to the gods and other supreme beings, a desperation when death is the only answer, an invocation to the unclean and a walk amongst the forbidden. Time to consider the ‘Worthless Abominations’ and the ‘Daemon Spawn’ before ‘Invoking The Oath’ to seek solace in the ‘Everlasting Dying Flame’. There will be a union, a communion too, stare into the black glass and pray it doesn’t look back.
Hell awaits ladies and gents, until then this medication is to be taken three times a day, with food and avoid handling machinery. I’ll see you again in two weeks.
Mayhem – Daemon out now via Century Media Records