De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” 1994

Mayhem is a band whose legend of death precedes them. An overrated discography to their name, but nonetheless a collective of the utmost importance to Black Metal. After all, where would the genre be today had it not been for the likes of Darkthrone and Mayhem? Their music was a bridge from the first wave to the second and their crimes? The stuff of cinema that whipped Norwegian churchgoers into frenzied states of shock and fear. Promises of Satanic wrath and a new rise of Heathen Barbarism to fill their hearts with dread. But we all know the story behind the music: Dead, Euronymous, the one who I will only refer to as the now desolate soloist of the genre and their legacies of suicide, murder and terrorism. For these youngsters, black metal was about much more than the music.

Mayhem got their start in 1984 but wouldn’t release their first LP , “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”, until the early 90’s. By that time, Mayhem founder, Euronymous, had already met his demise at the business end of a pocket knife. The release of the album was stalled due to his family’s outrage over the fact that his murderer’s bass tracks were still featured on the record. Promises to re-record those parts were made but never actually fulfilled and the album finally saw light of day in 1994.

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is the quintessential black metal record; one of the greatest of all time and to say that it was a long time coming would be a gross understatement. It was the culmination of gruesome happenings and sheer determination. Mayhem had established themselves much earlier with a number of demos and EP’s, and Euronymous had been a key player in the early second wave movement with his Deathlike Silence label. But as I mentioned before, it was their own crimes and depravity along with the outrage of the bereaved that stalled this record that should’ve been released years before.

From a musical perspective, Mayhem’s debut LP is deeply inspired by Bathory’s early recordings, but with its very own and palpable energy - pure Norse fury unleashed to the sound of true Satanic BM that made Possessed, Deicide and Morbid Angel seem like imposters. It was Euronymous’ belief that Diabolism was the path to true Satanic music, and with “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”, there’s a sense of genuineness to each note and a deep ritualistic vibe to every track as conveyed through Attila Csihar’s dramatic vocal contribution. Blast-beat-driven and alive with racing compositions - comprehensive and intense - adeptness that far superseded the youth of each band member. Nothing technical about it; just a steamrolling forward sort of album with tracks like “Funeral Fog” and “Freezing Moon” that mercilessly propel you into the realm of hatred upon a current of fluid riffing patterns and relentless cadences. Other more ambitious album cuts: “Pagan Fears”, “Life Eternal” (written by original vocalist, Dead) and the titular track display the band’s subtle but unmistakable experimental side. The aforementioned “Life Eternal” - a tribute to Dead but also a standout track due to its deranged and whimsical nature - the product of untreated insanity, but ultimately the band’s most popular song.

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” has been labeled as the blueprint for today’s Black Metal, and in some ways that’s true, but it’s also important to recognize Satyricon, Emperor and the “Unholy Trinity” of black metal albums that were released by the aforementioned Darkthrone. All vital projects and recordings that ignited cathedral fires and the passion/inspiration of future BM’ers the world over. And all that mayhem… Black metal’s history is a violent one indeed; a genre of music built upon a foundation of blood and sacrifice. Mayhem wouldn’t release another LP until 2000, and their subsequent works have ultimately failed to live up to their debut, but what’s most important is the fact that this band, despite their age and legend status, still exude all the danger, mystique and volatility that the early scene was known for all those years ago. And I think that’s the bread & butter of it all. When you think black metal, you think Mayhem…

10/10

~Jeger

Experience “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” by Mayhem right here:

https://youtu.be/rZEJD-fdNEc