Review by Jeger on February 7, 2026.

Where do you even begin? When it comes to the Norwegian Black Metal band known as Mayhem, "legendary" is the word. The great descriptor for all of the carnage that ensued by the hand of the Black Circle: churches set ablaze and entire communities whipped into a state of fear; fear of Satanic wrath, Heathen Barbarism and of true Norwegian Black Metal. These youngsters were so busy killing people and waging their Unholy War that they all but completely forgot about the music! It was Mayhem mastermind, Øystein Aarseth (Euronymous), who finally reined the guys in long enough so that they could finally record their debut LP, "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", which was eventually released in 1994. Songwriting for the album began in 1987.

It wouldn't be until 2004 with the release of "Chimera" that Mayhem would again release a worthwhile album. And then it wouldn't be until 2019 with the release of "Daemon" that Mayhem would accomplish the same feat. Overrated in every way in my opinion, but what does it matter? When your band's history is as legendary (there's that word again) as Mayhem's, you can get away with mediocrity in the music department… For a while at least. In other words, Euronymous left his stamp on Mayhem's greatest album and the band has struggled to reach the bar that they themselves set so many years ago. Now, 2026 has begun! And at midnight tonight, Mayhem will drop their seventh LP, "Liturgy Of Death", via Century Media.

Mayhem being signed to a major record label doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is the fact that - despite having whored themselves out to Century Media for the past seven or eight years - Mayhem has managed to somehow maintain a level of danger and mystique that other bands have not been able to match. Alas! seven years in the making, Mayhem vocalist, Attila Csihar's, reckoning with mortality, "Liturgy Of Death", has been released. What of it? Let's find out…

Much like slow decay - the inevitable wasting away into the dirt does "Liturgy Of Death" unfold: slowing down, feeling each and every moment as they patiently weigh on you like the reality of a cancer diagnosis. The opening track, "Ephemeral Eternity" feat. Garm & Ulver, following a dank and dismal introductory minute or two, just gets more dank, more dismal, just fucking hopeless… There is no escaping death and for those of us who view it as an end, it is an impossible pill to swallow. A panic-inducing reality and that's the vibe I'm picking up on here. "Liturgy Of Death" is no peaceful acceptance of fate, but an expression of terror and bewilderment, as portrayed by one of the great expressive frontmen in the aforementioned Attila. The following track, "Despair", feels a little more familiar, as it features all those spiraling riffing patterns and war drum-like blast-beats, ritualistic chants and the atmosphere somehow like a living, breathing entity of its own that enchants and dismays without the use of too many atmospheric components.

Like a black hole of sound that ensnares everything around it; twisting and turning through the void upon every despairing passage. Mystified by its wickedness, aroused by these intimate moments with death. "Liturgy Of Death" is a little darker, a little heavier and Mayhem are proving to be every bit as in tune with the essence of what makes for true BM as they were during the recording of "Daemon". It's like it took this band 40 years to totally solidify their musical identity, and that just so fucking Black Metal, isn't it? Worth the wait I'd say. "Funeral Of Existence" displays a deeper side to the band, as they venture into more ethereal environments while experimenting with finesse percussion and softer tones, while the following track, "Realm Of Endless Misery", reminds us of just how powerful Mayhem's music can be when they're on top of their game, which they most certainly are here.

Elite! From the album's cover art down to its stellar production quality. I've never been much of a Mayhem guy, so I wouldn't have minded butchering this thing, but it's just too good. I like how the guys decided to write an album that can really be savored and absorbed. The tempo and the tonality of the music is unlike Mayhem and yet some parts are just textbook. A nice balance between familiarity and pleasant surprises achieved.

I will say that "Liturgy Of Death" is Attila at his very best. His contribution is every bit as dramatic as you would expect except a bit cleaner and more focused, as opposed to the usual feral madman vibes. Hellhammer's delivery is actually somewhat forgettable and that's the beauty of this guitars-driven album. His ability to hold it all together through power and precision prove to be more vital than all the razzle-dazzle. And that's that! "Liturgy Of Death" - the album to be remembered by alongside "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" with "Daemon" following closely. These three albums are the definitive Mayhem recordings. You'll enjoy this one for years to come. Bravo!

Rating: 10 out of 10