Mayhem - Esoteric Warfare - review
Mayhem - Esoteric Warfare - review
Tracklist
01. Watchers02. 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]
A review by
X-Ray Rod June 17, 2014
?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?
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 9 |
Comments page 2 / 2
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Comments:
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Posts: 3104  |
Posts: 3104 Written by [user id=101272] on 21.06.2014 at 16:13 "DMDS is easily the most overrated piece of mediocrity in black metal". And that's where you lose your credibility.  I can give multiple reasons as to why that album isn't overrated and why it's certainly not mediocre. In the end it's a matter of opinions, but at the very least it's a highly original and influential album.
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Posts: 21306 Written by [user id=110592] on 21.06.2014 at 13:38 Hey, my opinion still stands. 
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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Posts: 3645  |
Posts: 3645 Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 17.06.2014 at 13:38 Unfortunately I have to agree here, I was totally underwhelmed when I saw them live, and there were even a lot of people leaving.
---- I hate bonus tracks
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Posts: 3593 Written by Zap on 11.08.2014 at 18:33 Let me agree too :/
---- Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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Posts: 4367
Surprised to hear that tons of great and awful studio bands sound so much better live while these insanely talented guys flop it on stage. Not speaking from personal experience though but from what I've seen others say and seen in concert videos.
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Posts: 18615 Written by 3rdWorld on 25.10.2016 at 21:03 Mayhem seems to be a sink or swim band when it comes live. I've heard many great and awful stories about their performance from friends. I had an amazing time when I saw them. I guess I was lucky! It's worth the gamble.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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Posts: 3645 |
Posts: 3645
I actually saw them again at Brutal Assault last year and they were much better then. Still, they mostly played stuff from Deathcrush which is not my cup of tea.
---- I hate bonus tracks
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