Band:	Mayhem
Album:	Ordo Ad Chao
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	April 23, 2007
A review by:	Lucas

01. A Wise Birthgiver
02. Wall Of Water
03. Great Work Of Ages
04. Deconsecrate
05. Illuminate Eliminate
06. Psychic Horns
07. Key To The Storms
08. Anti

There is no need for a lengthy introduction here, since everyone that enjoys Black Metal should know the legendary and widely renowned Mayhem. In a few words: 'The True Mayhem' embodied by Euronymous died and left us "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" as musical legacy. When the world needed a new hero, 'The New Mayhem' arose. This 'New Mayhem' took their time to find the right path as could be heard on the experimental releases "A Grand Declaration Of War" and "Chimera". Opinions on these albums varied a lot and it cost Mayhem a lot of fans.

After many years, Blasphemer and co (as Blasphemer is the bandleader right now, responsible for all the music) did the only right thing to do: kick out Maniac and bring back Attila. And the result is once again innovative, groundbreaking and breathtaking as was also the case with the eternally evil début album.

A Wise Birthgiver reveals what we're in for. A thick, mudlike-produced, disorientating intro coming right out of the darkest corners of a schizophrenics mind. Those who hope the rest of the album will have more chorus-refrain based songs, should see this as the ultimate warning and get the hell out of. Instead, you are presented the ultimate journey through the mind of an evil genious. The seemingly random drums, the experimental riffing and the painful silences that sometimes rip the breathtaking thick air apart all play their part in this psychotic release of madness, but stand all in favor of personification of insanity.

And that is Attila. He already proved to be an amazing vocalist on the début album, where he sadly wasn't appreciated by everyone, but on this album he managed to surpass every Black Metal vocalist out there. From high-pitched screams to low and brutal vocals, he does it all. His dynamic vocals create highlights such as the incredibly powerful scream on Wall Of Waters. Or the ending of Great Work Of Ages, followed by the chaotic screaming on Deconsecrate. There is wailing, moaning, crying and despair. Combined with his achievement on "De Mysteriis..." he is one of the greatest Black Metal vocalist since the scene saw the unholy light.

As a final conclusion it should be clear that "Ordo Ad Chao" is definitely not an easy listening album and will need a lot of spins to be appreciated to it's fullest. However, it is worth all the effort as it will reveal to be an absolute masterpiece. Hail The New Mayhem!

enter another sphere / complete the emptiness / desperately alone / fuck the race