“Liturgy of Death” demonstrates a modern conception juxtaposition to the early second-wave of black metal, redefining the nature of work of art throughout the eight blasphemous hymns. The creativity expands to incorporate the atmosphere of macabre evil, which has been the fundamental sound of Mayhem since the early years. The opening salvo, “Ephemeral Entity”, features Garm (Ulver) as a guest vocalist. The song permeates through the pitch blackness of the slower guitar riffs, where Attila’s quasi-operatic voice becomes the focal setting for a menacing atmosphere. The result is a mid-tempo chilling opus that transcends and goes beyond the bounds of black metal, with Hellhammer’s aerial bombardments firing on all cylinders with his complex fills.

The songs are grim black art filled with razor-sharp riffs of Teloch and Ghul, which are masterfully played through the next song, “Despair”. Attila’s vocals evoke shrills of fear and otherworldly beings by conjuring ceremonial rites where he channels the eerie howls and chants of the ancient priests. Necrobutcher’s bass plunges the songs into sinister darkness; each moment echoes with ancient spells of magic and chaos.

Every track features its own elements of complex riffs, technical drumming, and slow, dooming reverb from the sinister and operatic macabre. The slower riffs conjure aspects of ritualistic and theatrical spectacle; the drumming is mostly abrasive and potent. The maniacal speed and ferocity are textured with pitch-black riffing and rhythmic bass guitar; the album is full of a bewitching sense of dread. After seven years, Mayhem returns to enrapture us in utter awe, despite all the magnificence and vehement ferocity, the songwriting exerts its essence from the cult album “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”.

The riffs paint red landscapes of dread in the song “Weep for Nothing.” The tremolos are in full display from the onset. The slower sections are dark, and the guitars create creepy passages, showcasing unique mastery that honors the band’s true legacy. The soundscape of pandemonium echoes. The sharp riffing blazes with primordial fires, then a gloomy, obscure, and menacing atmosphere permeates the song “Aeon’s End”.

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