EP Review: Mayhem – Atavistic Black Disorder/Kommando (Century Media Records)

Far beyond legendary and a living monument to fearless creativity, Mayhem have cast an icy shadow across the world of heavy music for nearly four decades.

From the scabrous cacophony of “Deathcrush” in 1987 to the genre-defining mastery of “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” (released in the aftermath of founding member Euronymous’ untimely death in 1993), Mayhem’s scorched earth approach to making music has earned them a unique reputation that propels them forward to this day. In musical terms, the band have never been less than radical. From the warped experiments of “Grand Declaration Of War” (2000) to the unfathomable, dissonant depths of “Ordo Ad Chao” (2007), every incarnation of Mayhem has rewritten the black metal rulebook, uncompromising and revolutionary to the last.

Recent times have seen Mayhem continue to evolve. The band’s current line-up – veteran members Necrobutcher (bass) and Hellhammer (drums), alongside guitarists Teloch and Ghul, and enigmatic vocalist Attila Csihar – have become a well-oiled and destructive machine. Beginning with the volatile and twisted starting point of 2014’s “Esoteric Warfare” and mutating with great alacrity through the pitiless, flesh-rending claustrophobia of “Daemon” in 2019, today’s Mayhem are as potent, charismatic and idiosyncratic as they have ever been.

Still widely regarded as standard bearers for the true spirit of Norwegian Black Metal, the band were enjoying an exhilarating rush of momentum when the accursed Covid pandemic struck in 2020. As a result, the “Daemon” tour was stopped abruptly in its tracks and Mayhem were condemned back to the shadows. But rather than play some infernal waiting game, the band are back with a brand-new EP, “Atavistic Black Disorder/Kommando”. Comprising three non-album cuts from the “Daemon” sessions – “Black Glass Communion”, “Everlasting Dying Flame” and the previously unreleased “Voces Ab Alta” – alongside an invigorating flurry of obnoxious punk rock cover songs, this scintillating stopgap reveals a new and gloriously snotty side to these revered black metal icons.

Something to keep the Mayhem fans interested and the band moving forward, the intrigue of this EP realistically comes from the punk covers. Although that’s not to suggest the trio of non-album songs from the “Daemon” recording sessions are not worth your time.

The two Daemon bonus tracks: Black Glass Communion and Everlasting Dying Flame and the previously unreleased Voces Ab Alta. It’s the latter that really stands out as it has got a grander sound that still features Mayhem’s black metal imposing ferocity.

Of the covers it is probably Discharge’s In Defense Of Our Future that stands out the most. Nailing the punky vibes with Messiah giving a strong vocal performance. Hellnation from Dead Kennedys is fun and Ramones’ Commando is fast and frantic energy that fits both bands. All pretty good covers, it’s just Only Death, a Rudimentary Peni cover, that lacks.

There’s not a lot to get excited about here but there’s also nothing wrong with it. It’s certainly an EP ‘for the fans’ but even they won’t see this as necessary listening.

Mayhem – Atavistic Black Disorder/Kommando Full Track Listing:

1. Voces Ab Alta
2. Black Glass Communion
3. Everlasting Dying Flame
4. In Defense Of Our Future (Discharge Cover)
5. Hellnation (Dead Kennedys Cover)
6. Only Death (Rudimentary Peni Cover)
7. Commando (Ramones Cover)

Links

Website | Century Media Records