Photo by Agnes Köhler, Nima Taheri, Joyce Van Doorn. Editing by Daniele Valeriani
Black metal’s most influential and legacy-defining entity emerges once again with their seventh studio offering, Liturgy of Death, out now via Century Media Records. With this release, Mayhem reaffirm why they remain one of the most relentless pillars of extreme music. After more than four decades shaping the genre’s evolution, the band now turns its creative gaze toward the inescapable presence of mortality.
Liturgy of Death explores the philosophy of mortality with stark, uncompromising clarity. The album presents death not as an ending, but as a universal law that touches all life and exposes the fragility of human existence. This impermanence becomes a call to live with full intensity, for every gain and loss ultimately falls back into the same silence. Echoing ancient philosophies, the album portrays life as a transitional state and death as a gateway to a higher form of being, while the solemn, dark beauty of death permeates the entire work.
Attila comments on the new track: “Realm of Endless Misery is the fourth single from the new Mayhem album and presents a state of human existence in which suffering is not an exception but a governing principle. The song portrays human life as a closed realm sustained by repetition, fear, and manipulation, where time itself becomes a mental trap and hope slowly drains from consciousness. It does not tell a story and offers no redemption. Through its mantra-like structure and cold, oppressive imagery, the track confronts the listener with the mechanics of misery, revealing a world in which destruction is not an endpoint but a permanent condition. Released as the third single in advance of the whole album, Realm of Endless Misery deepens its unified dark vision and brings the listener one step closer to the final revelation.”
“DEATH OVER EUROPE” HEADLINER TOUR KICKED OFF LAST THURSDAY.
Remaining shows:
08-02-2026 · BE · Liège · OM 10-02-2026 · UK · London · Electric Ballroom 11-02-2026 · FR · Paris · Elysée Montmartre 12-02-2026 · FR · Toulouse · Le Bikini 14-02-2026 · PT · Lisbon · LAV Lisboa Ao Vivo 15-02-2026 · ES · Madrid · La Riviera 17-02-2026 · IT · Milano · Alcatraz 18-02-2026 · CH · Solothurn · Kulturfabrik Kofmehl 19-02-2026 · AT · Vienna · Simm City 20-02-2026 · DE · Regensburg · Airport Eventhall 21-02-2026 · CZ · Prague · PAVILON C 22-02-2026 · DE · Berlin · Huxleys Neue Welt 24-02-2026 · PL · Gdansk · B90 25-02-2026 · LV · Riga · Spelet 26-02-2026 · FI · Helsinki · Kulttuuritalo 28-02-2026 · SE · Gothenburg · Eriksbergshallen
With Necrobutcher, Hellhammer, Attila, Morten Bergeton Iversen, and Ghul locked into a unit tighter than ever, Liturgy of Death celebrates Mayhem’s own legacy, a continuation of the raw and uncompromising sound that defined their beginnings. The result is a merciless record – dark, fast, and unrelenting – that captures the band in their most dangerous and vital form. Forty-one years since their formation in Langhus, Mayhem remain a defining force in Norwegian black metal, continuing to shape the sound they helped create.
Photo by Agnes Köhler, Nima Taheri, Joyce Van Doorn. Editing by Daniele Valeriani
The defining pioneers of black metal return with their seventh studio album, Liturgy of Death. With this release, Mayhem further solidify their standing as one of the most unyielding forces in extreme music. Now more than four decades into their career, they turn their focus toward the unavoidable presence of mortality.
Liturgy of Death explores the philosophy of mortality with stark, uncompromising clarity. The album presents death not as an ending, but as a universal law that touches all life and exposes the fragility of human existence. This impermanence becomes a call to live with full intensity, for every gain and loss ultimately falls back into the same silence. Echoing ancient philosophies, the album portrays life as a transitional state and death as a gateway to a higher form of being, while the solemn, dark beauty of death permeates the entire work.
Attila comments on the new track: “Life Is a Corpse You Drag is not a slogan, but a ritual and a realization. It names an ancient law: consciousness as burden, the body as vessel, faith as a seal on a grave already closed. There is no comfort in this recognition but there is release. If we have been dead all along, there is nothing left to lose. What remains is pure energy: movement without fear, presence without compromise, a victorious march into the final destruction.”
Ltd. Deluxe Box Set incl. an exclusive 12” Clear-Black Marbled Vinyl with alternate artwork, bonus 7” Marbled Vinyl with 2 extra tracks, metal pin, patch, art prints, and the special tarot card “Liturgy of Death” (Clear-Black Marbled Edition and Transp. Red-Black Marbled BAND EDITION)
Ltd. Gatefold Black Vinyl (180g) & 12 pages LP-Booklet
05-02-2026 · NL · Groningen · Spot 06-02-2026 · NL · Utrecht · Tivoli Vredenburg 07-02-2026 · DE · Herford · Kulturwerk Herford 08-02-2026 · BE · Liège · OM 10-02-2026 · UK · London · Electric Ballroom 11-02-2026 · FR · Paris · Elysée Montmartre 12-02-2026 · FR · Toulouse · Le Bikini 14-02-2026 · PT · Lisbon · LAV Lisboa Ao Vivo 15-02-2026 · ES · Madrid · La Riviera 17-02-2026 · IT · Milano · Alcatraz 18-02-2026 · CH · Solothurn · Kulturfabrik Kofmehl 19-02-2026 · AT · Vienna · Simm City 20-02-2026 · DE · Regensburg · Airport Eventhall 21-02-2026 · CZ · Prague · PAVILON C 22-02-2026 · DE · Berlin · Huxleys Neue Welt 24-02-2026 · PL · Gdansk · B90 25-02-2026 · LV · Riga · Spelet 26-02-2026 · FI · Helsinki · Kulttuuritalo 28-02-2026 · SE · Gothenburg · Eriksbergshallen
With Necrobutcher, Hellhammer, Attila, Morten Bergeton Iversen, and Ghul locked into a unit tighter than ever, Liturgy of Death celebrates Mayhem’s own legacy, a continuation of the raw and uncompromising sound that defined their beginnings. The result is a merciless record – dark, fast, and unrelenting – that captures the band in their most dangerous and vital form. Forty-one years since their formation in Langhus, Mayhem remain a defining force in Norwegian black metal, continuing to shape the sound they helped create.
Photo by Agnes Köhler, Nima Taheri, Joyce Van Doorn. Editing by Daniele Valeriani
The most influential black metal band in history returns with their seventh studio album, Liturgy of Death. With this new chapter, Mayhem once again cement their reputation as one of the most relentless forces in extreme metal. Nearly forty years into their career, the band turns its gaze toward the unavoidable truth of mortality. Liturgy of Death explores the philosophy of mortality with stark, uncompromising clarity. The album presents death not as an ending, but as a universal law that touches all life and exposes the fragility of human existence. This impermanence becomes a call to live with full intensity, for every gain and loss ultimately falls back into the same silence. Echoing ancient philosophies, the album portrays life as a transitional state and death as a gateway to a higher form of being, while the solemn, dark beauty of death permeates the entire work.
“Despair” captures this vision in its most visceral form. The track unravels the collapse of being through ritualistic chants, Latin invocations, and blistering blast beats that echo like the pulse of annihilation. Attila’s vocals summon an ancient, fatal truth: the fading of light, the inevitability of death, and the recognition of human fragility. “Despair” stands as the album’s stark revelation — the moment where death is not feared but understood.
“DEATH OVER EUROPE” HEADLINER TOUR AND TEASE POSSIBLE NEW ALBUM. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
MAYHEM – DEATH OVER EUROPE 2026
05-02-2026 · NL · Groningen · Spot 06-02-2026 · NL · Utrecht · Tivoli Vredenburg 07-02-2026 · DE · Herford · Kulturwerk Herford 08-02-2026 · BE · Liège · OM 10-02-2026 · UK · London · Electric Ballroom 11-02-2026 · FR · Paris · Elysée Montmartre 12-02-2026 · FR · Toulouse · Le Bikini 14-02-2026 · PT · Lisbon · LAV Lisboa Ao Vivo 15-02-2026 · ES · Madrid · La Riviera 17-02-2026 · IT · Milano · Alcatraz 18-02-2026 · CH · Solothurn · Kulturfabrik Kofmehl 19-02-2026 · AT · Vienna · Simm City 20-02-2026 · DE · Regensburg · Airport Eventhall 21-02-2026 · CZ · Prague · PAVILON C 22-02-2026 · DE · Berlin · Huxleys Neue Welt 24-02-2026 · PL · Gdansk · B90 25-02-2026 · LV · Riga · Spelet 26-02-2026 · FI · Helsinki · Kulttuuritalo 28-02-2026 · SE · Gothenburg · Eriksbergshallen
With Necrobutcher, Hellhammer, Attila, Morten, and Ghul locked into a unit tighter than ever, Liturgy of Death celebrates Mayhem’s own legacy, a continuation of the raw and uncompromising sound that defined their beginnings. The result is a merciless record – dark, fast, and unrelenting – that captures the band in their most dangerous and vital form. Forty-one years since their formation in Langhus, Mayhem remain a defining force in Norwegian black metal, continuing to shape the sound they helped create.
Photo by Agnes Köhler, Nima Taheri, Joyce Van Doorn. Editing by Daniele Valeriani
The most influential black metal band of all time is back with their 7th studio album Liturgy of Death. With this new opus, Mayhem reaffirm their status as the most uncompromising force in extreme metal music. Four decades into their career, Mayhem turn their focus toward the inescapable reality of death. Liturgy of Death examines loss, fear of dying, powerlessness and the fragility of existence through a stark and unrelenting lens.
“Weep for Nothing”Mayhem’s new first single, turns the fear of mortality into revelation, a hymn to nothingness where grief becomes meaningless. With its cold and fast grandeur, razor-sharp riffs and a suffocating atmosphere, the band channels it channels the essence of mortality without offering solace or escape.
05-02-2026 · NL · Groningen · Spot 06-02-2026 · NL · Utrecht · TivoliVredenburg 07-02-2026 · DE · Herford · KulturWerk Herford 08-02-2026 · BE · Liège · OM 10-02-2026 · UK · London · Electric Ballroom 11-02-2026 · FR · Paris · Elysée Montmartre 12-02-2026 · FR · Toulouse · Le Bikini 14-02-2026 · PT · Lisbon · LAV Lisboa Ao Vivo 15-02-2026 · ES · Madrid · La Riviera 17-02-2026 · IT · Milano · Alcatraz 18-02-2026 · CH · Solothurn · Kulturfabrik Kofmehl 19-02-2026 · AT · Vienna · Simm City 20-02-2026 · DE · Regensburg · Airport Eventhall 21-02-2026 · CZ · Prague · PAVILON C 22-02-2026 · DE · Berlin · Huxleys Neue Welt 24-02-2026 · PL · Gdansk · B90 25-02-2026 · LV · Riga · Spelet 26-02-2026 · FI · Helsinki · Kulttuuritalo 28-02-2026 · SE · Gothenburg · Eriksbergshallen
With Necrobutcher, Hellhammer, Attila, Morten, and Ghul locked into a unit tighter than ever, Liturgy of Death celebrates Mayhem’s own legacy, a continuation of the raw and uncompromising sound that defined their beginnings. The result is a merciless record – dark, fast, and unrelenting – that captures the band in their most dangerous and vital form. Forty-one years since their formation in Langhus, Mayhem remain a defining force in Norwegian black metal, continuing to shape the sound they helped create.
MAYHEM line up: Attila Csihar – Vocals Ghul – Guitar Hellhammer – Drums Necrobutcher – Bass Morten – Guitar
No band embodies the spirit of black metal like Mayhem. In the wake of violence and scandal, the Norwegians set the standard for the genre with their canonical 1994 debut. Other influential acts were quick to follow in their footsteps, but these iconoclasts defied convention by making a truly bold statement on Grand Declaration of War.
Today, Season of Mist is celebrating the album’s 25th anniversary with a special edition of Grand Declaration of War. Along with the original master, this sunburst colored gatefold LP includes new silver hot foil packaging, a double-sided poster and an embroidered leather patch.
“For Season of Mist, there was a before and an after Grand Declaration of War“, says the label’s founder and manager Michael Berberian. “This is probably the first true classic album we ever released, the one that put us on the map. And what an album. Talk about unexpected. Talk about daring”.
The 25th Anniversary Edition of Grand Declaration of War comes out December 5th on Season of Mist. Pre-order here.
On Grand Declaration of War, Mayhem continued to bow down for no one – even themselves. The band were coldblooded as ever on merciless cuts like “A Time to Die”, but their arsenal of blast beats and tremolo picking was strengthened by an increase in command. Written in collaboration between newly appointed guitarist Blasphemer and vocalist Maniac, the album didn’t expand so much as it invaded territory that was then believed off-limits: spoken word (“View from Nihil”), trip-hop (“A Bloodsword and a Colder Sun”), soundscapes of doom (“Completion in Science of Agony”).
No matter how they choose to impose their will, after 25 years of Grand Declaration of War, there’s still nowhere that Mayhem fear to tread.
Tracklist 1. A Grand Declaration of War (6:23) 2. In the Lies Where upon You Lay (5:57) 3. A Time to Die (1:48) 4. View from Nihil (Part I of II) (3:05) 5. View form Nihil (Part II of II) (1:16) 6. A Bloodsword and a Colder Sun (Part I of II) (00:33) 7. A Bloodsword and a Colder Sun (Part II of II) (4:27) 8. Crystalized Pain in Deconstruction (4:07) 9. Completion in Science of Agony (Part I of II) (9:44) 10. To Daimonion (Part I of III) (3:26) 11. Untitled (4:54) 12. Untitled II (00:07) 13. Completion in Science of Agony (Part II of II) (2:14)
Founded as early as 1984 in Oslo, Norway by the late and legendary frontman Øystein Aarseth aka Euronymous, bassist Jørn “Necrobutcher” Stubberud, and Kjetil “Manheim” Haraldsson on drums, Mayhem took its name from the VENOM song “Mayhem with Mercy”. Continuing and renewing the Black Metal style heralded by the latter English trio, the band soon became the instigators of the so called second wave and were at the heart of every controversy surrounding that genre.
The suicide of misanthropic frontman Per Yngve “Dead” Ohlin, the murder of Euronymous by guest bass player “Count Grishnakh” alias the notorious Varg Vikernes, church burnings, drugs and prison sentences – Mayhem were always at the center of the storm. Yet not even death could stop the Norwegians, who released one musical milestone after another.
The incredible rawness of the Deathcrush EP (1987) was followed by the still iconic and genre-defining De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994), which featured devilish drummer Jan Axel “Hellhammer” Blomberg, who had joined in 1988. The vocalist on this album was the Hungarian Attila Csihar of Tormentor fame, who returned later in 2004 to take over from his meantime heir, the enigmatic original singer Sven-Erik “Maniac” Kristiansen. The latter was featured on the Wolf’s Lair Abyss EP (1997), which was written mostly by highly talented guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen, who scored a massive artistic success with the highly controversial Grand Declaration Of War (2000).
Guest musicians Tore Ylwizaker – Noise on “Completion in Science of Agony (Part I of II)” Øyvind Hægeland – Additional vocals on “Completion in Science of Agony (Part I of II)”
Production credits Produced and engineered by Børge Finstad Mastered by Morten Lund
Mayhem XXXX at Hellsinki Metal Festival 2024 by AJ Johansson
True Norwegian black metal stalwarts MAYHEM are set to commemorate their 40th anniversary with a series of exclusive performances in six cities across North America this November! The unique production will decimate theaters in Montreal, QC, Toronto, ON, Queens, NY, Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA and Denver, CO from November 12-23. The full itinerary can be found below!
Local pre-sales will start on Thursday, August 29 @ 1:00 PM EDT/10:00 AM PDT with the general on sale launching on Friday, August 30 @ 10:00 A.M. local time. Tickets will be made available HERE.
Mayhem’s 40th anniversary show promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans, featuring a setlist that spans their illustrious career, from their groundbreaking debut album, ‘Deathcrush,’ to present day. This concert will celebrate the band’s legacy over four decades of musical evolution and boundary-pushing performances.
This electrifying live performance showcases a retrospective of Mayhem’s 40-year career as pioneers of black metal and will include rare footage and iconic photos.
Formed in 1984 in Norway, Mayhem has been at the forefront of the black metal scene, known for their controversial history, groundbreaking music, and unparalleled live performances. Over the years, they have cemented their status as one of the most influential bands in extreme metal, continually pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Now, as Mayhem reflects on their 40 year legacy, they celebrate their triumphs over tribulations and tragedy with a-never-before-seen performance, featuring their biggest production yet and other special surprises! When this seminal year concludes, Mayhem will lay this special production to rest, so this is the only time fans will have to experience this celebratory and rare era of the godfathers of black metal.
Mayhem XXXX North American Dates:
11/12: Montreal, QC @ Olympia 11/15: Toronto, ON @ The Concert Hall 11/17: Queens, NY @ Knockdown Center 11/18: Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theater 11/21: Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern 11/23: Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater
Preeminent black metallers Mayhem ready their newest live strike with ‘Daemonic Rites’ for Century Media. The 16-track effort captures the frightful efficiency and utter lethality of the Norwegians as they close the chapter on their exalted sixth album, Daemon (2019). Throughout Daemonic Rites, Mayhem impressively nail newer tracks like “Falsified and Hated,” “Malum,” “Bad Blood,” and “Voces Ab Alta” to the proverbial cross, while offering pure fucking mastery of classics like “Freezing Moon,” “Buried by Time and Dust,” “Deathcrush,” and “Carnage.” The devilish quintet also add mid-career haunts like “To Daimonion,” “Symbols of Bloodswords,” and “My Death,” making Daemonic Rites a genuine career-spanning offering.
“We wanted to document how great the band and set sounds like after almost 40 years of playing live,” says founding member Necrobutcher. “As a treat to our fans, we decided to release this live recording.”
“We released the live version of De Mysteriis [aka De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas Alive] a few years ago,” Ghul adds. “That was received very well. We have been playing together for so long now with this lineup that we feel we have reached a point where we are a seriously well-oiled machine. It seemed like a natural step to try to capture this moment in the band’s history, with the same setlist we have been using for a while.”
Mayhem have nearly 1,000 shows to their name. Since their formation Langhus, Norway in 1984, the band—now comprised of Necrobutcher (bass), Hellhammer (drums), Attila Csihar (vocals), Teloch (guitars), and Ghul (guitars)—have brought their brand of bellicose, preternatural black metal to over 60 countries. From the United States and Germany to Australia and Brazil, Mayhem have stunned, bewildered, and turned rabid a global legion, dedicated as much to the band’s infamous legacy as they are staunchly in support of Daemon. Much of that respect and devotion started in the early ‘90s, but persisted to the present day on the strength of official live albums Live in Leipzig (1993), Mediolanum Capta Est (1999), Live in Marseille 2000 (2001) and De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas Alive (2016). Mayhem continue their on-stage assault with Daemonic Rites.
“I knew from day one back in 1984 that this band was going to be outstanding—one of the best bands ever!” Necrobutcher says. “I guess that’s a big reason why we still are here after 39 years—and counting.”
“Well, for the first time in a long time, we felt again like a unit, musically,” continues Hellhammer. “That’s something we haven’t felt in a long time, and that shows in the live recording.”
Daemonic Rites wasn’t pre-planned. Rather, they had sound engineer/producer Tore Stjerna (of Necromorbus Studio fame) record everything—just for posterity, in fact—during the group’s Northern Ritual MMXXII and Thalassic Ritual tours of 2022 and early 2023. Mayhem and Stjerna pilfered the gems, resulting in gigs from London (“Life Eternal,” “Malum”), Manchester (“My Death,” “Silvester Anfang”), and Gothenburg (“Pure Fucking Armageddon,” “To Daimonion”) coming out on top. The penultimate Mayhem live album wouldn’t be complete without “Freezing Moon” and “Pagan Fears”—both from Csihar’s hometown of Budapest, Hungary—as well as newer tracks “Falsified and Hated” and “Bad Blood” from Sydney and Melbourne, respectively. Daemonic Rites showcases the two-time Norwegian Grammy (aka Spellemannprisen) winners at the pinnacle of their live potential.
“We play the songs that feel the best live,” Hellhammer says. “We have in the past tried out a lot of different songs from former eras, but when you play live for an audience, the songs must have IT. If they don’t, even if they are good songs, they won’t fit in a live setting.”
Adds Teloch: “We have a vast catalog by now with so many different types of songs. It’s interesting to make them all work together in a full concert.”
Daemonic Rites comes off the heels of Mayhem’s incredible Beyond the Gates 2022 performance, where they uncaged cult classic De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas not far from where it was originally recorded by Eirik ‘Pytten’ Hundvin (Enslaved, Emperor, Immortal) in Grieghallen during 1992/1993. The live album, however, was mixed and mastered over in neighboring Sweden. Stjerna, who also assisted with Daemon, took the phantasmagoric collection of tracks to his lair at Necromorbus Studio, where his sole job was to preserve Mayhem’s raw, unbridled energy and ghastly electricity. From “Falsified and Hated” and “My Death” to “Buried by Time and Dust” and “Carnage,” they’ve never had the quality of a live album quite like Daemonic Rites. If the past is always alive, this is a live album on par with Venom’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Emperor’s Emperial Live Ceremony, and Gorgoroth’s Black Mass Krakow 2004.
“It fits with where we are now, or more precisely, where we were at the time of the recording,” says Hellhammer.
“[The live recordings] capture the spirit and energy,” furthers Ghul, “of where we are as a band right now.”
Indeed, Mayhem have been and continue to operate at a level not yet witnessed. While atavists will always relish the Deathcrush or Live in Leipzig lineups, Hellhammer’s drum performance against the twin terrors of Teloch and Ghul is the purest black magic on Daemonic Rites. Similarly, Csihar’s hair-raising caterwauling and spectral snarls atop Necrobutcher’s seventh-hell low end is witching-hour great! To support Daemonic Rites, Mayhem have videos for Daemon-era masterpiece “Malum” and late-‘80s Killjoy dedication “Chainsaw Gutsfuck” lined up. Daemonic Rites is the perfect guillotine while the group craft new songs and conspire with others on what the group’s 40th Anniversary next year might entail. Mayhem are likely in their final form, and they’ve never been deadlier.
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 