took me a while to check this band out, but it was worth it. there are some higher production values on this release as opposed to other black metal releases, but it’s fitting for this band. (I do hate their tendencies to start some songs really soft or with a fade-in though.)

I like the vocals on this one… it’s a unique, evil sound!

This is a good release. Well-played, underground-style US Metal. These guys remind me of early mastodon with more of a rock and roll vibe. This is one of the stronger releases of 2007, and I wish I picked up on these guys earlier.

I’m not sure what to think about Weedeater. I like their stuff, but their is something missing from it for me. I think I keep listening to it in hopes of hearing something that will take me back to the days of Buzz*oven, who I terribly miss.

Neourosis’s have really raised the bar with their later releases. “Given to the Rising” is no exception.

This release will be on a top ten of best releases of 2007.

Amazing record by this non-traditional and chaotic band.

Generally, Black Metal live records and/or bootlegs leave much to be desired.

Considering the history of Mayhem, and especially what is known of this particular lineup, I think this is a fitting release and should sit alongside of the other official Mayhem releases as a full-length LP.

This stands out as a “Live” record simply for the fact that “Dead” is the vocalist on it. Considering his grim, necro outlook, I don’t think a studio would have been a fitting place for him to lay down his vocals to begin with. That’s not to say I wouldn’t have liked to hear it anyway. With Mayhem, you sort of take what they give you and try not to ask questions…

The live setting captures his voice in a good way, and it’s not a bad recording for live black metal show at all.

Pick this one up if you are a Mayhem fan.

On your first few listens of this classic record from Mayhem, your immediate reaction will be “WTF is up with the vocals?”

After a few more listens and you finally “get” what Atilla is all about, you’ll realize that this is not only a definitive genre-defining record, but it’s also an amazingly heavy blast of metal. This lineup of Mayhem put together a fan-tastic record that still hold up extremely strong to this day.

Purists would hope that “Dead” was still alive to do the vocals, but I think that the entire Mayhem catalog is decided by the bands own depressing fate. Everything about this band is mysterious and (revisiting their latest album) complete chaos.

Every track on this record is a standout, but I think that some of the less-popular tracks are some of the most intense. Sure, “Freezing Moon” and “Buried by Time & Dust” are great tracks, but nothing matches the intensity and buildup of the music behind “Cursed in Eternity”. “Life Eternal” is another one that comes to mind as extremely strong musically.

One thing that is clearly evident on this record is that Euronymous had a style of guitar playing that is a huge pleasure to listen to. The riffs are extremely catchy (Beginning of Freezing Moon anyone?) and he has a sound/style that really defines Mayhem.

This record rules.

I don’t see what all the hype over Bone Awl is. This is good and stuff, but I don’t see why people are going apeshit over this.

This is not too bad. it’s pretty low-fi black metal, and the guitars carry a nice tune on must of the tracks. The last track is a throw away and is pretty dumb.

If this band was called anything but “Satanic Warmaster” I may give them a better review. Like, if they were called “Goatravage” or “Burning Scepter” or something like that. Naming themselves “Satanic Warmaster” they are really setting the bar awfully high, and I don’t think they come very close.

i wouldn’t be surprised if these guys are seen wearing JEANS once in a while…

Man, this record sets a whole new level for Mayhem.

I was looking forward to this release simply because I was eagerly anticipated Attila’s return to the band. While I absolutely love Mayhem, I have to admit I could not stand anything that they did with Maniac. The only thing that sucked more than his vocals was his stage presence. Their releases with him were also lacking. I can still listen to “Chimera” but “Grand Declaration of War” is simply shit.

Anyway, the newest from Mayhem is a brilliant record. I can’t think of one other band in metal that is doing something as unique as Mayhem is doing now. Each song on this record is a journey into chaos. Every track and song playing like an unstructured path to the unknown.

The sound of the record is quite intense too. From the opening chord you immediately notice a extremely low-end, bass-driven “muck” sound that permeates the entire record.

I could see how some people could find this record a bit strange, but give it a chance, metal kids.