Norwegian black metal legends MAYHEM are seeing strong first-week reviews for "Liturgy Of Death," released February 6. The album continues to showcase the band's willingness to push boundaries within the black metal framework, a trait that has defined their studio output since the groundbreaking "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" in 1994. True to form, the critical response has been divided — purists argue the album strays too far from traditional black metal orthodoxy, while more progressive-minded listeners praise its atmospheric ambition and refusal to simply repeat past glories.
The album was recorded with the band's current lineup, which features vocalist Attila Csihar, guitarists Teloch and Ghul, bassist Necrobutcher, and drummer Hellhammer. This configuration has proven to be one of the most stable in MAYHEM's infamously volatile history, and the musical chemistry is evident throughout "Liturgy Of Death." The production balances the raw, cavernous quality that fans expect from MAYHEM with a clarity that allows the album's more intricate musical passages to breathe.
Critics have particularly praised the album's atmosphere and technical ambition, noting that tracks like the title song and "Blood Sacrament" demonstrate a band that is still evolving after more than four decades. The dissonant guitar harmonies, unpredictable song structures, and Csihar's otherworldly vocal delivery combine to create an experience that is both deeply unsettling and artistically compelling.
MAYHEM are currently touring Europe on the "Death Over Europe" tour alongside Swedish black metal veterans MARDUK and American death metal titans IMMOLATION, bringing their incendiary live show to fans across the continent. The combination of three extreme metal heavyweights has drawn packed houses at every stop, with many shows selling out in advance. The tour provides the perfect platform for MAYHEM to road-test new material alongside their established classics, and early reports from European dates suggest that songs from "Liturgy Of Death" are translating powerfully to the live arena.