Album review: Mayhem – Liturgy Of Death

There's no arguing the integral role Mayhem played in shaping that which is known as black metal, and while they have not consistently delivered the goods across their career, as they pass the 40-year mark they are killing it. Reaching album number seven, the quintet – who have had a stable line-up for three releases now, anchored by original bassist Necrobutcher, vocalist Attila Csihar and longtime drummer Hellhammer – sound energised and ready to fight anyone who disagrees with them, making for some pretty damn vital listening if black metal is your thing.

Even though you could not call the songs 'lean' – half of the eight clock in at over seven minutes and none under five – there is a sense that not a moment's wasted, everything is exactly where it needs to be. This is very much the case from the outset. Opener Ephemeral Eternity is seriously eerie with waves of glacial guitar and ferocious double kick adding muscle to this, demonstrating their focus, while Funeral Of Existence lands in similarly spine-tingling territory.

Weep For Nothing is amongst the best served up here, having a thrashy scrappiness to it, like they're channelling the fury of a lot more than just five people. And when they take their foot off the gas it's winningly creepy, with Attila's throat still one of their greatest assets. Propitious Death likewise sees them on the attack, and suitably embodies the album's ebb and flow, shifting between bloodyminded brute force and subtler though no less abrasive approaches.

Closer The Sentence Of Absolution is perfectly chilling and obnoxious, culminating in a tribalistic drum climax that would not have sounded out of place on a mid-era Sepultura record. It certainly helps make it clear that, on a good day, Mayhem are nigh on unstoppable – and they're having a very good day indeed.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Immortal, Slayer, Watain

Liturgy Of Death is released on February 6 via Century Media