Mayhem - Esoteric Warfare review
| Band: | Mayhem |
| Album: | Esoteric Warfare |
| Style: | Black metal |
| Release date: | June 2014 |
01. Watchers
02. Psywar
03. Trinity
04. Pandaemon
05. MILAB
06. VI.Sec.
07. Throne Of Time
08. Corpse Of Care
09. Posthuman
10. Aion Suntalia
11. From Beyond The Event Horizon [Japanese bonus]
12. Into The Lifeless [LP & CD Collector's Box bonus]
Seven long years passed since the game-changer that was Ordo Ad Chao got released. It was an extremely complex album with a sound so different from what Mayhem (or any other band for that matter) had done before, that a somewhat mixed reaction was to be expected. I gladly put my tent on the fan camp though. This is why Blasphemer's departure worried me as it turned more difficult to guess how the final product would sound like?
?But as "Watcher" started, doubts were erased and expectations were met. Esoteric Warfare takes up nicely where Ordo Ad Chao left off. Most of the classic elements that justifies the band's name can be found here: The penetrating and disorienting riffs with their beloved dissonance, a disturbing tension that rarely lets go, the band's clever use of quiet moments to further elevate the presence of chaos. It's clear that Mayhem kept that precious attention to detail that was found in their previous album in order to make once again intriguing structures and give each song its identity.
While the guitars and bass are performed in a fantastic manner, the most astounding factors of this album have to be the drums and vocals. Hellhammer shows once again why he's one of the most renowned drummers in the genre. The incredible versatility, speed and order in what at first just appears chaotic make his delivering almost frightening, serving as a good element of tension throughout the album. Attila? Well, what more can we say about him by now? He provides with more than just vocals. His voice serves as another instrument and layer for the band. Deep lows, glass-crushing screeches, commanding screams and disturbing whispers. He does it all and so much more. From now on there shouldn't be any doubts regarding which vocalist truly owns Mayhem's voice.
So let's recap and look at the big picture. This is a band that has been around for three friggin decades. They are veterans and a huge part of the black metal culture in general. Everyone can say what they want about Mayhem's five full-lengths but it's worth remembering that all of them cover so many different elements, so many different styles of black metal over the years. Despite all of that, they still retain what can only be called their own sound while reinventing themselves and what black metal can be over and over again. They remain not only unique but also relevant to the scene. How many pioneers can say the same thing?
 | Written on 17.06.2014 by A lazy reviewer but he is so cute you'd forgive him for it. |
Comments
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Comments: 37
Visited by: 399 users
| ManiacBlasphemer Black Knight Posts: 1085 From: Romania  |
Great review. It resonated a lot with my thoughts regarding this album. Mayhem is not capable of disappointing.
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands  |
Written by ManiacBlasphemer on 17.06.2014 at 13:07 Actually they are. Remember Chimera?  And live they disappoint loads of times as well. Mayhem live is a hit or miss affair unfortunately. 
---- 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 
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 17.06.2014 at 13:20 Yep, Chimera was very mediocre. I'm hoping one I'll see them on a good day live.
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| ManiacBlasphemer Black Knight Posts: 1085 From: Romania |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 17.06.2014 at 13:20 That's you opinion, I liked Chimera. A slight disappointment was GDoW. But live it sounds great. And I do not share the same view about their live shows. They are theatrical and it attracts attention, it is not the common headbanging feast but it is a feast for the eyes. And Attila is a great vocalist. They have their good and bad times like any other band, but at least studio wise they never disappointed, at least in my view.
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
GDoW was a great at times even brilliant album and then comes the run of the mill a dime a dozen Chimera so that one really disappointed. I have seen Mayhem about ten times live now and only twice were they any good the other times they ranged from bad to truly atrocious. Yes they are theatrical that's not the problem. If they deliver their own music totally shitty than the concert is shitty no matter how grand the theatrics are.
---- 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
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Posts: 18274 From: Sweden  |
I'm actually one of those who enjoyed Chimare quite a bit. It's definitely Mayhem's worst album with some songs being boring, monotonous and appear to not go anywhere but half the songs are actually nice but just not as interesting as everything else they've done. My biggest complain would be the production. It just doesn't really match well with the music.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| ManiacBlasphemer Black Knight Posts: 1085 From: Romania |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 17.06.2014 at 13:38 Dunno, I really liked Chimera, even today I still check out My Death, Chimera, Whore or Rape Humanity With Pride. I have a tough time listening to GDoW. The studio version is crap to be honest, but live it is great. Anyway, I loved most of what Mayhem did, both old and recent works. I've only seemed them like 4-5 times live and except for once, I was not disappointed. But then again a Mayhem concert is supposed to be a little bit different.
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5934 From: USA  |
Just started spinning through it yesterday and it's getting a solid 8 from me so far. Total continuation of OAC and as usual, Hellhammer and Attila are amazing. I like how you said from now on there shouldn't be any doubts as to who's the true owner of Mayhem's voice. People go on and on about Dead and shit, when in reality Attila far outclasses him on vocal abilities, and I've always attributed most of his popularity to the pure shock value of his personality anyway. Great album and great review, I can tell this is gonna be a 2014 highlight..... but, inevitably, due to the band's popularity, it's gonna be overhyped to some degree. Definitely don't think the band are still kicking everyone's ass, for instance.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5934 From: USA |
Written by Guest on 17.06.2014 at 17:37 I can agree with either this or Tekeli-Li for this year so far, sure. Emptiness is also high up there, if you want to call that black metal. In regards to last year though, I'd probably take Cult Of Fire and the Carpe Noctem debut over Mayhem. Just my interpretation of the situation, brah.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Alex F Slick Dick Rick Posts: 3502 From: USA  |
Written by Guest on 17.06.2014 at 17:37 I easily put Tekel-Li above Esoteric Warfare, but then again that album has quickly become one of my favorite releases of all time, so that shouldn't be surprising. This really is an unbelievable release however, and completely on-par with Ordo Ad Chao in my opinion. God I love Mayhem
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5934 From: USA |
Written by Guest on 17.06.2014 at 18:03 Good observation, I can totally agree with that. Lotta black metal these days seems to be looking for originality in blending with non-BM influences, but something about Mayhem is just raw black metal without it being a cliche, still having a high degree of artistic merit and distinction. I'll have to give this a few more playthroughs, it'll likely grow on me as I have nothing but immense respect for Attila and Hellhammer as musicians.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Metal George Posts: 75 From: USA  |
Every mayhem album may be different because of line-up changes but still hold my interest in black metal. very few black metal bands can do that. Mayhem i applaud you.
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| mz Posts: 4773  |
Written by Metal George on 17.06.2014 at 22:56 Not really. Mayhem are relatively stable. Moreover, there are bands which change members a lot but their sound does not evolve that much.
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3349 From: Australia  |
Looks like I should keep quiet about this album. Written by mz on 18.06.2014 at 00:28 grand Declaration... and Chimera have the same lineup, although no one has appeared on every Mayhem release and only Hellhammer has been on every album.
---- "Another day, another Doug." "I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples." " 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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| Dangerboner Lactation Cnslt Posts: 7261 From: USA  |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 17.06.2014 at 13:38 Just out of curiosity, out of the ten times you saw Mayhem live, how many were at festivals or large outdoor events? I saw them once in a small-ish venue about 2 or 3 years ago and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
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| Erik M. Posts: 3104 From: The Netherlands  |
Written by Guest on 17.06.2014 at 17:37 The best BM album of 2014 is still Nasheim's debut, for me.  This album is great, but someone the 2nd half of the album is less interesting to me than the first half. 8-8.5 material for me so far, while the debut is 9-9.5 material. De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas still blows this and Ordo Ad Chao away in my opinion.
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| mz Posts: 4773 |
Written by Erik M. on 19.06.2014 at 21:47 Not to diss DMDS but you are simply wrong. Ah ok that's your opinion 
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| Erik M. Posts: 3104 From: The Netherlands |
Written by mz on 20.06.2014 at 00:47 Indeed it's my opinion. DMDS is a total classic and quite a groundbreaking album, while OAC and this one are not. Written by Guest on 20.06.2014 at 02:40 You can't possibly be serious.  I rate DMDS at least a full point higher than Esoteric Warfare (so an 8.5 and 9.5, roughly).
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Posts: 21306 From: Canada  |
Written by Erik M. on 21.06.2014 at 01:28 i don't rate eithe rthat high but agree hthis isnt as good as de mysterius whatever
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| mz Posts: 4773 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 21.06.2014 at 10:35 drunk posing 
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| Slayer666 Posts: 2466 From: Serbia  |
The more I listen to this, the more it reminds me of Chimera rather than Ordo ad Chao.
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Posts: 18274 From: Sweden |
Written by Erik M. on 21.06.2014 at 01:28 Maybe it isn't as classic.... But they sure as hell are as unique. Written by Slayer666 on 21.06.2014 at 14:47 It does have some Chimare elements indeed. I agree with that. Although I can't really indentify which ones.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Lit. Account deleted |
Lit.
Account deleted Written by Erik M. on 21.06.2014 at 01:28 Srs bsns. DMDS is easily the most overrated piece of mediocrity in black metal. Gripe all you want, but that album cannot stand to the greatness that is Ordo Ad Chao. Even this new one's already proved itself better.
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| Erik M. Posts: 3104 From: The Netherlands |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 21.06.2014 at 10:35 Is that you, Edgar (Bad English/K7)?
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| Erik M. Posts: 3104 From: The Netherlands |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 21.06.2014 at 15:18 Fair enough. While the debut is more standard BM, it's still a kick-ass album and indeed a total classic (which doesn't imply it's awesome, but in this case it is).
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