Mayhem

De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

A definitive album, but not necessarily an outstanding one

Review Score:

(8/10)
First, it needs to be said that, Hellhammer aside, Mayhem has never been a technically proficient band. Any review that claims "Mayhem will impress you with its technical display" is essentially lying; and while Hellhammer is perhaps the second best drummer in the extreme (i.e. death, black, etc.) metal scene (second only to perhaps Flo Mournier of Cryptopsy), you do not necessarily hear all of those skills on this album. If you want to have your head torn off by Hellhammer's drumming, you would be better off listening to Mayhem's "Wolf's Lair Abyss" or "GDOW" albums. In closing this paragraph, if you want to listen to "technical" black metal, try Immortal or even latter-era Emperor (though I do not like Emperor all that much).

Technical issues aside, it needs to be said that, alongside Immortal's "Pure Holocaust", this album is perhaps one of black metal's defining moments. Many people will cite Celtic Frost as the forefathers of black metal...well, just my opinion, but Celtic Frost is nothing to write home about. Mayhem and Immortal and (to a lesser degree) Emperor were the original three driving forces behind the dissemination of the Norwegian black metal sound, and while I think Immortal is essentially superior to Mayhem is all regards (with the drumming almost at par), I must give credit where credit is due: Mayhem, perhaps for what occurred outside of the music more than what occurred on the albums, served to inspire many black metal bands that followed.

However, does the fact that a band is highly influential necessarily translate into the band automatically making high-quality albums? In many cases, we know the answer is no, and with Mayhem (who have really only released two full length albums in 17 years), I am tempted to say "no" as well. While many Mayhem fanatics constantly praise the "mood" and "atmosphere" of "DMDS", I cannot overlook the atrocious vocal performance of Attila. If you want to label it "necro-opera" and try to vindicate it, fine; but I find it plain embarassing. Now some people will say, "vocals are only one part of the album..." and while this is true, they are an inescapable part, constantly there, making you laugh more often than snaring you into the "atmosphere."

Production values cannot be faulted since most black metal albums of this era had intentionally crappy production, nor can the lyrics, since most of the Scandinavians tend to use humorous/faulty grammar. Aside from the vocals, then, the only other problem I find (and this, I grant, is entirely subjective) is that most of the songs do not resonate with you nearly as much as they should for a "landmark" album. I am not saying the songs are bad or poorly written; I am giving this four stars, after all. I am merely suggesting that it would not surprise me if someone came to Amazon, saw all the high reviews of this album, bought it, and was underwhelmed.

DMDS is a very good black metal album and a very important one: but it is not outstanding, in my humble opinion.

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