Mayhem - Grand Declaration Of War

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.

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.

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.

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..

Wow it's REALLY hard to get into this album, hopefully with time it grows on me

I was speechless after listening to this album the first time. Second time around, same reaction. Fucking legendary.

Good album, but it would have been better without the electronic shizle.

Mayhem rules. And this album in my opinion is fucking aggressive and awesome !!! Blasphemer's riffs are crazy and Hellhammer's drumming fucking amazing.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

This isn't bad musically but the spoken word parts are so cringe I just don't know if I can get into it!

HAVE I BEEN UNDERSTOOD?!

This has always been my favorite Mayhem album, and one of my favorite albums in metal really. It’s just so unique, and I think one thing that made Mayhem so good was that they didn’t bind themselves to a specific sound within black metal. Each release really took on a totally new sound. The start stop riffing with the insane drumming and unhinged vocals makes this one of the most intense albums out there when it’s going.

Only good song here: View From Nihil.
Having listened to their 2026 album, it is also possibly their only good song in 25 years.

Written by ivulv on 09.02.2026 at 12:30

Only good song here: View From Nihil.
Having listened to their 2026 album, it is also possibly their only good song in 25 years.

Insane thing to say when Ordo Ad Chao exists

Written by Roman Doez on 09.02.2026 at 14:01

Written by ivulv on 09.02.2026 at 12:30

Only good song here: View From Nihil.
Having listened to their 2026 album, it is also possibly their only good song in 25 years.

Insane thing to say when Ordo Ad Chao exists

And Esoteric Warfare.

I’m gonna say it: De Mysteriis can suck it, this is Mayhem’s true crowning achievement.

Written by A Real Mönkey on 10.02.2026 at 19:24

I’m gonna say it: De Mysteriis can suck it, this is Mayhem’s true crowning achievement.

🤝 intelligënt mönkey

But also DMDS rips

Written by A Real Mönkey on 10.02.2026 at 19:24
I’m gonna say it: De Mysteriis can suck it, this is Mayhem’s true crowning achievement.

Nah. That album is Ordo Ad Chao.
This album is great though. It has aged well. It came at a time where many BM acts were going industrial but Mayhem did it better than most.

But Ordo? That stuff is truly unique.

My personal Top 3 songs from the album:

View From Nihil (Part I)
Crystalized Pain In Deconstruction
A Time To Die