Metal Storm logo
Mayhem - Grand Declaration Of War



7.5 | 343 votes |
Release date: 2000
Style: Black metal

Owners:

347 have it
18 want it
2 trade it


01. A Grand Declaration Of War
02. In The Lies Where Upon You Lay
03. A Time To Die
04. View From Nihil (Part I)
05. View From Nihil (Part II)
06. A Bloodsword And A Colder Sun (Part I)
07. A Bloodsword And A Colder Sun (Part II)
08. Crystalized Pain In Deconstruction
09. Completion In Science Of Agony (Part I)
10. To Daimonion (Part I)
11. To Daimonion (Part II)
12. To Daimonion (Part III)
13. Completion In Science Of Agony (Part II)

Additional info
The album's title and some of the lyrics are taken from the writings of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, particularly Twilight of the Idols and The Antichrist. Nietzsche called Twilight of the Idols "a grand declaration of war" (eine grosse Kriegserklärung).

Released as standard CD, digiCD, LP, picture disc and a box set (picture disc, digiCD + some goods).
The CD version has a hidden pre-track on song #1.
Re-released again on LP in 2006 by Back on Black.
As of the end of 2006, this album sold to more than 70,000 copies.

Remixed and re-issued with new cover art in 2018. This release was a complete rework from the original master tapes by producer Jaime Gomez at Orgone Studios.

Guest review by
Markus
Rating:
6.0
Everyone knows the story: young Oystein "Euronymous" Aarseth was stabbed to death by his friend and peer Varg Vickernes after a dispute that to this day is unclear. Euronymous? band at the time, the ultra-cult Mayhem, dissolved and the name became synonymous with Black Metal.

Sadly Maniac, Hellhammer, Necrobutcher and newcomer Blasphemer were not content to leave this legacy as it was. Instead they reformed Mayhem in an attempt to recapture the glory of the past - and the money of the fans?

Read more ››
published 21.09.2003 | Comments (22)

Found in 12 lists
Top lists



Comments

Comments: 19   Visited by: 656 users
20.05.2010 - 23:36
Rating: 9
Got Mayhem?

Underrated and misunderstood. What Maniac and Co. did here was explore a different aspect of the "War" concept, accompanied by Blasphemer's signature riffing and Hellhammer's legendary drumming ability. Instead of a nonstop blastfest, like many "War" albums are, this release explores the tension, hate, and even silence that accompany conflict. Some of the more 'out there' ideas could have used more thought ( To Daimonion II could have been shorter, I agree) but for the most part credit has to be given to the band for taking a risk like this. Sell out? Hardly, this is their least accessible album, in my opinion of course.

Listen to it, give it a chance, and then give it 5 more. It's weird, which is good because otherwise it just wouldn't work as well as it does.
----
Loading...
20.05.2010 - 23:45
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by Got Mayhem? on 20.05.2010 at 23:36

Underrated and misunderstood. What Maniac and Co. did here was explore a different aspect of the "War" concept, accompanied by Blasphemer's signature riffing and Hellhammer's legendary drumming ability. Instead of a nonstop blastfest, like many "War" albums are, this release explores the tension, hate, and even silence that accompany conflict. Some of the more 'out there' ideas could have used more thought ( To Daimonion II could have been shorter, I agree) but for the most part credit has to be given to the band for taking a risk like this. Sell out? Hardly, this is their least accessible album, in my opinion of course.

Listen to it, give it a chance, and then give it 5 more. It's weird, which is good because otherwise it just wouldn't work as well as it does.


Totally agreed. I actually find this album to be a masterpiece. A totally daring piece of art.
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

Loading...
21.05.2010 - 00:22
Rating: 9
Got Mayhem?

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 20.05.2010 at 23:45

Written by Got Mayhem? on 20.05.2010 at 23:36

Underrated and misunderstood. What Maniac and Co. did here was explore a different aspect of the "War" concept, accompanied by Blasphemer's signature riffing and Hellhammer's legendary drumming ability. Instead of a nonstop blastfest, like many "War" albums are, this release explores the tension, hate, and even silence that accompany conflict. Some of the more 'out there' ideas could have used more thought ( To Daimonion II could have been shorter, I agree) but for the most part credit has to be given to the band for taking a risk like this. Sell out? Hardly, this is their least accessible album, in my opinion of course.

Listen to it, give it a chance, and then give it 5 more. It's weird, which is good because otherwise it just wouldn't work as well as it does.


Totally agreed. I actually find this album to be a masterpiece. A totally daring piece of art.

Trust purists to bash experimentation. I think I like Ordo Ad Chao even more than this one. It'll be interesting to see how Mayhem manage without Blasphemer. Euro's Mayhem had a very distinct guitar style to it and Blasphemer was just as distinct, if not more. If I had to guess I would say that a 3rd incarnation of Mayhem is due to show up in the coming years.
----
Loading...
22.05.2010 - 09:54
Rating: 9
Hamird
Lieutenant
I think it's something that all Mayhem albums have in common, being unique in their time... But some people do not understand Mayhem albums since Wolf's Liar Abyss. But no problem if majority of people don't understand it. Blasphemer was a unique guitarist and unique composer. I still hope that whenever Mayhem decide to work on a new album, Blasphemer return to the band. However as far as Atilla is in the band I'm sure if it's going to be a new album, it'll satisfy me (not acting like a fanboy, but by experience it's been proved for me that Atilla's entire discography are my favorites.. Well not Burial Chamber Trio and Gravetemple to be honest but the rest are my personal favorites..
Loading...
08.02.2011 - 05:41
Rating: 6
Aebsi

Wow it's REALLY hard to get into this album, hopefully with time it grows on me
----
Just be Yourself
Loading...
12.07.2011 - 06:34
Rating: 9
rekkuza-

I was speechless after listening to this album the first time. Second time around, same reaction. Fucking legendary.
----
The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it- Oscar Wilde
Loading...
05.12.2011 - 20:50
JD
Account deleted
Good album, but it would have been better without the electronic shizle.
Loading...
24.08.2013 - 00:45
Rating: 10
belphegor666

Mayhem rules. And this album in my opinion is fucking aggressive and awesome !!! Blasphemer's riffs are crazy and Hellhammer's drumming fucking amazing.
Loading...
23.02.2014 - 13:33
ManiacBlasphemer
Black Knight
The songs from this album are mostly bland, but the 8 comes from what I heard live. The tracks have a different feel when they are played live, it's like GDoW is another album. Indeed, a hard to diggest album, but not a bad one. It's unaccesability makes it so unpopular, but it is just another one of those underrated gems out there. Mayhem is also the most prolific BM band I ever seen. They never did the same album twice, always experimenting and venturing into new territory while still retaining their trademark sound. They had the luck to have brilliant musicians as well. Blasphemer was the right man at the right time, Attila Csihar is a very unappreciated yet unique vocalist, Maniac was good too though he got tiresome at the end of his stay in Mayhem, Dead... was Dead... spooky, weird dude but with a voice that could've fit in Mayhem any day.

I love all of their album, and while I put more emphasis on De Mysteriis and Ordo ad Chao, I never neglect their other works. Yeah, even the old demo and Deathcrush.
Loading...
03.11.2016 - 20:55
3rdWorld
China was a neat
Hellhammer is insane, he literally outshines every other player in the band in every Mayhem album I've heard so far which is all except Chimera. His war march like drumming here is unparalleled. The production could've had a bit more bass though. Also didn't expect at all those electronic beats at track 6, felt a bit weird but nonetheless overall a massive album. Wouldn't call it avant-garde though, just slightly alternative/progressive black metal.
Loading...
03.11.2016 - 21:29
Rating: 8
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Written by 3rdWorld on 03.11.2016 at 20:55

Hellhammer is insane, he literally outshines every other player in the band in every Mayhem album I've heard so far which is all except Chimera. His war march like drumming here is unparalleled. The production could've had a bit more bass though. Also didn't expect at all those electronic beats at track 6, felt a bit weird but nonetheless overall a massive album. Wouldn't call it avant-garde though, just slightly alternative/progressive black metal.


I see the term avantgarde as something that depends on the time and place said art was conjured. The year was 2000 so the classic 90s and the second wave of black metal that came with it was still a very fresh thought. In that instance, a band that contributed so much to that classic period making an album like this was truly daring and bizarre which are some of the words I'd use for an avantgarde work.

That's my take on it at least.
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
Loading...
06.01.2018 - 23:07
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
It's a shame the production on this album sucks.
----
14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
Loading...
26.07.2019 - 14:57
Doge of Venice

Written by Boxcar Willy on 06.01.2018 at 23:07

It's a shame the production on this album sucks.




?

I actually only heard this for the first time today. It's very peculiar and I actually dig it. I can understand why fans of De mysteriis didn't like this though.
Loading...
27.11.2020 - 11:02
Rating: 6
Roman Doez
Hallucigenia
Holy fuck I didn't expect it to be THAT good
Loading...
30.11.2020 - 00:57
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
Wow this album is a TRIP. Definitely avant-garde, dont know how you could say it's not, the strange riffing and vocals with the oddball rapidly changing song structures and riffs make this quite the interesting listen. The religious-thesaurus lyrics are a big turn off and overall it's really hard to digest. I'm going to have to spin this again.
----
14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
Loading...
28.05.2022 - 07:18
Rating: 10
panths

Bought this album back in 2000,also saw mayhem in this tour in my country.Tottally agree this album is a masterpiece.And also i wonder how many album i "pass" thinking that the metalstorm rate is under 8.So i mustn't bother myself.
Btw i really don't like the other mayhem albums after that.
Loading...
28.05.2022 - 10:49
F3ynman2000
Nocturnal Bro
Written by panths on 28.05.2022 at 07:18

And also i wonder how many album i "pass" thinking that the metalstorm rate is under 8.So i mustn't bother myself.

Oh yes I know the feeling
Loading...
24.11.2022 - 21:16
This isn't bad musically but the spoken word parts are so cringe I just don't know if I can get into it!
Loading...
25.07.2023 - 20:20
A Real Mönkey

HAVE I BEEN UNDERSTOOD?!
----
"Change the world. My final message. Goodbye."

~Last words of Harambe, seconds before he was shot, according to child he shielded from gunfire
Loading...

Hits total: 12697 | This month: 41