Meanwhile, on topic...

I definitely prefer this to De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas which, although wasn't too bad, is monstrously overrated. This at least has an awesome sound and atmosphere to it.

I've always been in favour of a cleaner production and however, in this case, the production fits the music quite well. One small gripe - they could have upped the high frequencies on the guitar since the lower notes get muddy at times and, as a guitarist, that's disappointing. Here's an example of the other extreme...not very appropriate:

Written by LeKiwi on 04.06.2014 at 05:18

I've always been in favour of a cleaner production and however, in this case, the production fits the music quite well. One small gripe - they could have upped the high frequencies on the guitar since the lower notes get muddy at times and, as a guitarist, that's disappointing. Here's an example of the other extreme...not very appropriate:

It doesn't sound as good as the original production if you ask me.

Written by Maco on 26.11.2014 at 08:19

It doesn't sound as good as the original production if you ask me.

That's what I meant - having reread my post, my standpoint wasn't very clear

Written by LeKiwi on 26.11.2014 at 12:19

That's what I meant - having reread my post, my standpoint wasn't very clear

Well. Even if you didn't mean that. I still wanted to say that it doesn't sound good.

This is probably the best black metal album I have heard. Wouldn't change a thing about it.

Written by [user id=4365] on 10.10.2011 at 19:47

I detect nothing random about this album whatsoever. It's extremely dense and textured but very structured in its finality. The step up from this into true "randomness" would probably be Blut aus Nord's 'MoRT' - try that on for size.

I know this is an old comment, but I don't find MoRT to be as random as you seem to suggest... MoRT feels twisted, atypical, and insane, but it feels like there was more of an underlying structure tying it all together, which made that album altogether easier to get into than this one. I still detect a sense of structure and organization with this album, and I appreciate and enjoy both this and MoRT, but I just find it strange that you say that about MoRT when I can't help but feel like Ordo Ad Chao is actually more chaotic all around.

^ nah, I agree with Joe. I dont see anything particularly random or structureless about OaD. It might lack hooks and easy melodies, but the guitar flow becomes easy to follow after a few spins. With MoRT, it is on a totally higher level.

Ah I see my post is extremly similar to one of Joe's. Fuck it.

I'm still confused as to how you have that opinion (though it's perfectly fine for you to have that opinion)... MoRT was personally much easier for me to follow--though I'm definitely getting a better grasp of this album the more I listen to it.

On that note, this is also getting more enjoyable over time with more spins. Good shit.

Written by Jaeryd on 27.08.2015 at 02:50

I know this is an old comment, but I don't find MoRT to be as random as you seem to suggest... MoRT feels twisted, atypical, and insane, but it feels like there was more of an underlying structure tying it all together, which made that album altogether easier to get into than this one. I still detect a sense of structure and organization with this album, and I appreciate and enjoy both this and MoRT, but I just find it strange that you say that about MoRT when I can't help but feel like Ordo Ad Chao is actually more chaotic all around.

Old-ish reply to an old comment =P but I would say on the surface Ordo is more chaotic, but perhaps purely because of how aggressive it is. When you look at MoRT it's slow, non-abrasive, insidious even, but I still feel like Ordo is a fair amount more conventional than MoRT (though It's kind of odd how no one ever considers Ordo to be avant-garde / prog / experimental etc.) Despite the fact it's pretty different to most black metal it is very identifiably black metal though, whereas MoRT is barely metal, probably not even music to many people. For that reason alone MoRT for me is the more difficult proposition. If it had any of Ordo's pace and aggression it would probably be borderline unlistenable or seemingly structureless. I probably wouldn't call either album "random" now though, but MoRT still surprises me and keeps me at distance more so than this. I guess I feel like fewer rules are being broken on Ordo. Both 10/10 albums for me either way though. The only really random thing was this incoherent reply to you I just made!

Written by [user id=4365] on 03.11.2015 at 00:52

Old-ish reply to an old comment =P but I would say on the surface Ordo is more chaotic, but perhaps purely because of how aggressive it is. When you look at MoRT it's slow, non-abrasive, insidious even, but I still feel like Ordo is a fair amount more conventional than MoRT (though It's kind of odd how no one ever considers Ordo to be avant-garde / prog / experimental etc.) Despite the fact it's pretty different to most black metal it is very identifiably black metal though, whereas MoRT is barely metal, probably not even music to many people. For that reason alone MoRT for me is the more difficult proposition. If it had any of Ordo's pace and aggression it would probably be borderline unlistenable or seemingly structureless. I probably wouldn't call either album "random" now though, but MoRT still surprises me and keeps me at distance more so than this. I guess I feel like fewer rules are being broken on Ordo. Both 10/10 albums for me either way though. The only really random thing was this incoherent reply to you I just made!

No, that wasn't at all incoherent! That actually did a great deal in helping me understand what you mean, and I agree with what you said. I would definitely describe Ordo as more chaotic on the surface, while MoRT is definitely the weirder and less conventional of the two--by that distinction, you could say that MoRT is the more "random" album. I also agree that neither album is really all that random when you delve deep into their overarching structure, but I still stand by what I said when I say that I find it easier to like MoRT than Ordo.

Easy comparisons has been done between MoRT and Ordo. But, I feel "Esoteric" gave this a record a run for money.

I don't know but I was really looking forward to new Mayhem record, reason being that what all they did up to now has truly been exceptional(even "randomness" albums has their own taste). When I heard "Esoteric", I found loads of elements been brought from Ordo and put up nicely like a clean shelve filled with LoTR and Star-Wars books. So much better that I feel Esoteric has outdone Ordo easily on "concept" scale.

Maybe be everyone's favorite but I still feel Mayhem shackles the expectation level of listeners. That was just one hell of bm album.

Yeah I listened to this a while ago. Was surprised by both the raw production and unusual almost tech-death/Immolation like songwriting. Really enjoyed it but its not a easy listen at all. And I think I honestly prefer the recent album more.

Illuminate Eliminate might just be the best song ever. Mayhems best effort, though its hard to decide between this and de mysteriis.

This one, easily.

Thankfully they're both so different to the point where there's almost no overlap.

It's been a while since I visited this beast. You really need a proper mood and headphones to get the full effect but when you do... Damn.
Yeah, this is a ten. Still my favorite Mayhem album.

10ed. It is one of the most revisited albums from 2000s for me. perfect in every regard.

This album is highly underrated. Musically it is beautifully complex. It really goes beyond black, this band strives to do something fucking dark and sinister. I love them

It took me years to appreciate this album.

I loved this first listen, definitely more than anything else by Mayhem.

This album is straight up N E C R O.

Written by A Real Mönkey on 20.02.2024 at 05:30

I loved this first listen, definitely more than anything else by Mayhem.

This album is straight up N E C R O.

I'm a huge fan of Mayhem and I enjoy basically everything they have put out. That being said I'm always surprised at people having a hard time getting into this album. For me it was also love at first listen and without a doubt their best album still after so many years.