Metal Reviews

I'm aware that even with the band releasing Ordo ab chao, that Grand declaration of war was quite controversial. With the tendency to play on the 'avant garde' and 'progressive' influence,Mayhem certainly knew it would be a heated album. While this review site was clearly understanding of the album, I just wanted to know what you all thought. When you hear Maniac doing his odd speaking parts, and the electronic elements in the bands sound. What do you think about the album itself? Do you consider it the band's "St.Anger"?

It's not the bands St. Anger, and some of it is really cool. It just suffers a bit from "WTF" syndrome when Maniac starts talking like he's on Just a Minute.

I prefer Chimera though, which I think is probably puts me in a minority cos a lot of people seem to hate it. But Ordo ad Chao pulled it out of the bag and showed people what Mayhem were really capable of doing.

Grand Declaration is a definite WTF but not so odd when put in the context of Kovenant, And Oceans/Havok Unit and Carpathian Forest for the electronic aspects. Electronica/industrial is a respectable route for bm at times. However, the spoken bits are still just odd no matter how you look at it. Some cool stuff going on overall I like it however may never love it.

Need to check out more Mayhem. Especially the later stuff.

I never cared much for GDOW. Chimera is probably more consistent than Ordo ad Chao but 'Illuminate Eliminate' is the most accomplished thing they've ever written. Later Mayhem (throw Wolf's Lair in there too) isn't what I'd call tremendous, but it is solid material with obviously excellent drumming.

I honestly don't like Mayhem at all, except for this album. I like it because it's pretty out there and different.

I wasn't too impressed with it.
Wolf's Lair Abyss was better.