MAYHEM – Grand Declaration Of War

In my mind Mayhem will always be the grandfather of Black Metal, a trendsetter that can do no wrong. Although their style may have changed to something more technical over the years, the band’s energy has remained un-waivered.

Mayhem is a band that really needs no introduction. If you know metal lore, then you know who Mayhem is and what this band has meant to evolution of metal.

Mayhem’s legacy hit the U.S. at the perfect time. Death Metal was wanning, and the Nu-Metal bands just weren’t cutting it.

The internet was in its infancy and the story of black metal was being unveiled like some sort of horror novel. It reminded me of some old broadcast clips I once watched about the Manson Family, the fascination, the lunacy, the grisly reality of it all.

For that reason, Mayhem has always held that ‘killer mystique’. An infamous band that lulls you into a vampiric trance whenever they play.

In my mind Mayhem will always be the grandfather of Black Metal, a trendsetter that can do no wrong. Although their style may have changed to something more progressively technical over the years, the band’s energy has remained un-waivered.

After the incidents related to the record’s release, many would consider De Mysteriis Do, Satanas to be Mayhem’s best effort, but I personally consider Grand Declaration Of War as their greatest.

Grand Declaration Of War spelled out what Black Metal really did, put the charisma back into metal. Some have called this ‘One of the most important albums in Metal history’ and I tend to believe them.

Whether you want to call it anti-religious or just plain satanic, you have to admit Black Metal scared the living shit out of people. Grand Declaration was the march out of the darkness and into the limelight. It was released at the height of Black Metal’s popularity and in a way, it marked the beginning of the end.

Most of the Black Metal albums released after the year 2000 have a regurgitated feel. It seems the world became saturated with the masterplan of Euronymous. The ideas felt weak. The excitement pre-determined. There are of course, exceptions to this rule but I don’t blame Mayhem for their progression.

Grand Declaration Of War added a new dimension to Mayhem. A manifesto to the world but at the same time a stab at the underground. A venture that allowed the group to distance themselves from Satan, church burnings and running through the woods with an axe in your hand.

Now, if you are a hardcore Black Metal fanatic you may find yourself hating this record at first, and then loving it later. I know, I myself despised this album until I really gave it a chance. It took me multiple listens before I really understood what this release could be. A musical gateway for some into the dark world of Black Metal. That accessibility cannot be denied, and it is the key to any group’s longevity. Highlight Tracks for me are: “A Grand Declaration Of War”, “In The Lies Where Upon You Lay”, “A Bloodsword and a Colder Sun (Parts I & II)”, “View From Nihil (Parts I & II)”.