Mayhem – Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando EP
Release Date: 9th July 2021
Label: Century Media Records
Stream
Genre: Black Metal, Punk.
FFO: Darkthrone, Emperor, Dead Kennedys, Discharge.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Mayhem are, arguably, the most influential band in the 2nd wave of black metal, or perhaps it was founder member ‘Euronymous’ who was the main influencer. Anybody with a modicum of knowledge about True Norwegian Black Metal, and I do not claim to know much about it, will be aware that bands had to fit into a particular ideology in order to be accepted by their peers.
Leader of this ideology was the late Euronymous. That Mayhem have continued long after his untimely death, and continued to release truly excellent music, is testament to the drive of ‘Necrobutcher’ and ‘Hellhammer’. So, when news dropped of a ‘new’ EP, I was eager to get my hands on it.
To say I was disappointed is a massive understatement, as this is one of the most pointless releases of recent times. Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando is an EP featuring 3 traditional Mayhem black metal tracks, of which 2 of them exist on the deluxe version of their last album, plus 4 cover versions of punk songs. But, it is not punk songs played in a Black Metal style, no, Mayhem have basically just played them straight up!
The result is, pretty much, a waste of your time. Yes, the 3 Mayhem originals are of the high quality expected of the band, but you’ve heard 2 of them before and probably own the deluxe version of Daemon anyway. The cover songs, originally by Discharge, Dead Kennedys, Rudimentary Peni and Ramones, offer nothing in the way of originality and the band do not stamp any of their own style, or aura, on them.
The true upshot is that 1990’s Mayhem would never have recorded these songs. The scene would not have permitted it. The fact that the band have released this EP should therefore be applauded, as it will potentially upset a lot of the old school bampots that were part of such a self-destructive, egotistical scene in the first place. The problem is that the EP does not know what it wants to be and that is what ultimately kills the listening experience. 
(2 / 5)
