MAYHEM – Liturgy of Death
VÖ: 06.02.26
Century Media Records
With four decades of darkness behind them, MAYHEM stand as one of the most influential and enduring forces in extreme music. From the infamous early years of Norwegian black metal to their current reign as masters of controlled chaos, the band has faced tragedy, reinvention, and evolution – yet emerged sharper than ever. Still shrouded in the same mystique that first surrounded them in Langhus back in 1984, MAYHEM continue to redefine what it means to be truly uncompromising. Their „40 Years of Mayhem“ world ceremonies celebrate not only survival but domination, with a headline slot on the 2025 Decibel Magazine Tour in North America serving as proof that their grip on the underground – and beyond – has never loosened. For fans who have been there since Deathcrush (1987) or De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994), and those who discovered them through Daemon decades later, the message remains the same: MAYHEM are eternal.
„We’ve been playing together for so long that we’ve become an absolute machine,“ says guitarist Ghul. That precision is immortalized on 2023’s Daemonic Rites live album – a testament to a band still firing on all cylinders. „The past few years have had so many high points,“ Ghul reflects. „Playing places like Nepal and China, going back to Dubai, and festivals like Wacken, which was one of the best experiences of my life. Playing a perfect set to that many people was just incredible.“
With founding member and bassist Necrobutcher, long-running drummer Hellhammer, and vocalist Attila joined by guitarists Morten Bergeton Iversen (since 2011) and Ghul (since 2012), MAYHEM’s current lineup represents both legacy and renewal. Onstage, their chemistry feels unbreakable. „For the first time in a long time, we felt like a true unit again,“ says Hellhammer. „That shows in the live setting – it’s powerful.“
Their discography tells the story of extremity itself: from the cold chaos of Grand Declaration of War (2000) to the sinister precision of Daemon (2019). Every chapter pushes deeper into darkness. „With this band, every record is so different,“ explains Ghul. „It’s like learning the music of four or five bands. Some material is complex and not easy to play live, but that’s what defines us. Within black metal, a lot of bands might avoid technicality – but for us, it’s part of who we are. It’s part of our history, part of the extremity.“
Since 1984, Mayhem have unleashed their feral and otherworldly sound across the globe, performing countless shows in more than 60 countries. From the U.S. and Germany to Australia and Brazil, their name has become synonymous with audacity, intensity, and a legacy that inspires cult devotion. „I knew from day one that this band was going to be one of the best ever,“ says Necrobutcher. „That belief is why we’re still here after 40 years – and counting.“
The band’s influence has reached well beyond music. They’ve earned some of Norway’s highest musical honors – a Spellemann Award in 2008 for Ordo Ad Chao and a Norwegian Grammy in 2021 for Daemon. Their history has been immortalized in exhibitions at Norway’s National Library and in Oslo’s iconic Neseblod Records, built on the site of the late guitarist Euronymous’s legendary Helvete shop. Their story even crossed into cinema with the controversial Lords of Chaos film, which reintroduced their myth to a new generation. „People have mixed opinions about that movie,“ Ghul admits, „but the effect was undeniable. Suddenly our shows were filled with much younger faces – the average age dropped by 20 years. That kind of rejuvenation is something few bands at our stage ever experience. Luckily, we were at our best when it happened.“
Four decades later, MAYHEM are not simply surviving – they are thriving. The current incarnation feels like a perfect balance between old-world menace and renewed precision. Hellhammer’s blastbeats, Attila’s spectral howls, Necrobutcher’s abyssal basslines, and the dueling guitars of Morten and Ghul converge into a sound that’s darker, faster, and more vital than ever.
„There’s never been any compromise,“ Ghul concludes. „We’ve never softened ourselves to sell records or please anyone. The music is extreme because the people are extreme. What we do isn’t meant to be comfortable – it’s meant to consume you. That’s what MAYHEM has always been about.“
Now entering their fifth decade, MAYHEM remain both originators and outliers – a band that defined black metal and continues to twist its shape in their image. Liturgy of Death, their latest chapter, celebrates this unbroken lineage with a record as merciless as it is vital. Dark, fast, and unrelenting, it captures MAYHEM at their most dangerous yet – forty-one years on, still ruling the shadows they helped create.
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MAYHEM line up:
Attila Csihar – Vocals
Ghul – Guitar
Hellhammer – Drums
Necrobutcher – Bass
Morten – Guitar
MAYHEM Online:
https://www.thetruemayhem.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mayhemofficial
https://www.instagram.com/thetruemayhem/
https://www.youtube.com/@TheTrueMayhemOfficial
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0dR10i73opHXuRuLbgxltM
