Music Video Review: Mayhem - Malum (Live 2022)
Are you a Trve Kvlt man and/or woman? Are you a 16-year-old girl who just recently watched Lords of Chaos? Are you blinded by uncontrollable rage from the idiots around you and can only find solace in Trve Norwegian Black Metal? Well, if you're one or all of these people, hold onto your pronouns because we've got some epic news from Black Metal legends, MAYHEM!
Welcome, fellow disciples of darkness, to the Heavy Metal Citadel! Today, we delve into the depths of Norwegian black metal with the legendary Mayhem and their impending release, Daemonic Rites a live album that promises to engulf us in the infernal flames of their chaotic performances across the globe. I, your humble innkeeper of the Citadel, Chort the Crop Infestor, had the honour of seeing Mayhem in 2022 in London, and it was truly a nefarious event. Now these Norwegian Black Metal Gods are set to launch a live album called Daemonic Rites on September 15, 2023, via Century Media Records!
The release stands as a complete and ominous chronicle, peering into the abyss of the legendary band's relentless and infernal manifestations across the world's forsaken realms for the past two cycles (long-winded way of saying it’s an international live album).
As Necrobutcher explained:
"We wanted to document how great the band and set sounds like after almost 40 years of playing live. As a treat to our fans, we decided to release this live recording. I knew from day one back in 1984 that this band was going to be outstanding—one of the best bands ever! I guess that's a big reason why we still are here after 39 years—and counting."
Daemonic Rites emerges as the apotheosis of the 'Daemon' era, birthed in 2019 through the cataclysmic release of their release, 'Daemon.' The voyage continued like a Norwegian juggernaught with the feral EP Atavistic Black Disorder in 2021, leaving fervent disciples thirsting for further darkness. This latest live assemblage stands as the definitive conclusion to this profound saga, a ritualistic finale to this momentous epoch of unholyness.
The album vows to plunge youse guys into a harrowing sonic odyssey, a dark pilgrimage befitting Mayhem's unrivalled mastery of live malevolence. In tandem with the live album, Mayhem unveils a primal incantation, a visual offering (you may know it as a music video), "Malum (Live 2022)". Captured amidst the bellows of New York City (home of pizza rat!) in the ethereal year of 2022, this unholy sigil, conjured under the watchful eye of esteemed director Zev Deans, immortalises the raw ferocity that engulfs the stage when Mayhem ascends. Behold the infernal spectacle now and my live review commentary!
Chort hip thrusting to “Malum Live 2022”
*Chews popcorn*…awful lotta fog… can't really make out - oh, here we go! Coool…is it gonna be in black and white the whole time?…Oh, nice look at Necrobutcher. He's really taking that ponytail to the grave, huh? Looks badass….Ah yeah, sweet little opening riff. Hellhammer, what a legend! Whoa! Who’s the weirdo in the robes freaking out in the music video? AH YEAAH HERE WE GO! ATTILA! Love those vocals - barely audible, raspy, yet choral all at once. I love his ceremonial robe…wonder if you can get one off Amazon…you know, just to wear around the house when you're making mushroom soup or something...fuck I could go for some mushroom soup.…….Damn, does Hellhammer's drumming ever kick ass! 2 mins and 40 seconds in, and the riff is already too spooky. Whoa! Epically creepy death scream. Did Attila's opera skills get even better?…. I wonder what his bone crucifix is made out of….probably mushed-up chicken bone….Wow! Well, that was a pretty decent live video…..I’m gonna go make some mushroom soup now.
While nothing quite beats seeing these beasts of Black Metal in the flesh, this live album may be the next best thing. However, if that simply won’t do and you need to see Mayhem live, fear not! Mayhem shall embark on a nefarious US pilgrimage in late 2023, joining forces with Cannibal Corpse, Blood Incantation and Gorguts to lay waste to the mortal lands. The malevolent odyssey shall commence on September 22 in Nashville, TN. Gaze upon the infernal gateway and secure thy passage to witness this blasphemous spectacle! Tickets await those brave enough to venture forth into the abyss.
Pre-order and pre-save Daemonic Rites now!
See the full track listing for Daemonic Rites below:
01. Intro
02. Falsified and Hated
03. To Daimonion
04. Malum
05. Bad Blood
06. My Death
07. Symbols of Bloodswords
08. Voces Ab Alta
09. Freezing Moon
10. Pagan Fears
11. Life Eternal
12. Buried by Time and Dust
13. Silvester Anfang
14. Deathcrush
15. Chainsaw Gutsfuck
16. Carnage
17. Pure Fucking Armageddon
Written by: Chort the Crop Infestor
“Hi, I’m Chort! I infest crops and listen to Black Metal. I’ve currently invested most of my life savings into tracking down the REAL Nattramn and telling him how much I love his voice.”
