The Album that Shook the Genre

In the annals of black metal, few albums hold as much significance as “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”, the first studio album by the Norwegian band Mayhem. Released in 1994, amidst a whirlwind of controversy and tragedy, the album has since been hailed as a landmark in the genre. Its influence is undeniable, with its echoes resonating in the works of numerous black metal bands that followed in Mayhem’s wake.

The album’s title, Latin for “The Mysterious Lord Satan”, sets the tone for its content. The sound is raw, aggressive, and atmospheric, characterized by high-pitched shrieking vocals, tremolo-picked guitar riffs, and fast, blast-beat drumming. The atmosphere created is extremely dark and eerie.

Released amidst a whirlwind of controversy and tragedy, “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” has since been hailed as a landmark in the black metal genre.

However, the album’s release was shrouded in controversy. The suicide of vocalist Per Yngve Ohlin and the murder of guitarist Øystein Aarseth cast a long, dark shadow over the band. Yet, despite these tragic events, the album has been praised for its composition and its profound influence on the black metal genre.

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is often cited as one of the greatest black metal albums of all time. Despite the controversies and the darkness surrounding its creation, the album stands as a monument to the raw power and intensity of black metal.

The Road to “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”

Mayhem was born in 1984, the brainchild of guitarist Øystein “Euronymous” Aarseth, bassist Jørn “Necrobutcher” Stubberud, and drummer Kjetil Manheim. The band’s early sound was a potent brew of influences, drawing heavily from groups like Venom, Motörhead, and Black Sabbath. The songwriting for what would become “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” began in earnest in 1987, with Euronymous and vocalist Per “Dead” Ohlin penning the majority of the material.

However, the path to the album’s completion was marred by tragedy. In April 1991, Dead committed suicide while alone in a house he shared with Euronymous. The aftermath was as shocking as the act itself, with Euronymous using Dead’s death to cultivate Mayhem’s “evil” image. He claimed to have made a stew with bits of Dead’s brain and fashioned necklaces from fragments of his skull.

The band’s turmoil didn’t end there. In August 1993, Euronymous was murdered by Varg “Count Grishnackh” Vikernes, a fellow musician from the band Burzum who had been part of the Norwegian black metal scene. This act of violence sent shockwaves through the community and further delayed the release of the album.

In the wake of tragedy, the band pressed on, their resolve resulting in an album that would become a landmark in the black metal genre.

In the wake of these tragic events, the band recruited Hungarian vocalist Attila Csihar to perform the vocals for the album. Csihar’s style was a departure from Dead’s, and this shift is evident in the album’s sound. Vikernes, despite his later conflict with Euronymous, was brought on to play bass on the album. The decision to keep Vikernes’ bass tracks on the album, even after Euronymous’ murder, caused a rift with Necrobutcher, who had left the band in 1991 and was deeply upset by the decision.

The Making of a Masterpiece

The recording of “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” was a monumental task, undertaken by a lineup that included Euronymous, Hellhammer, Attila Csihar, and Varg “Count Grishnackh” Vikernes. The album was recorded during late 1992 and early 1993 at the Grieg Hall in Bergen, Norway. However, in a testament to the tumultuous circumstances surrounding its creation, the album itself contains no information on line-up and credits.

The recording process was marred by tragedy. On August 10, 1993, Vikernes stabbed Euronymous to death, an act that sent shockwaves through the black metal community. Vikernes was subsequently arrested and sentenced to 21 years in prison for the murder.

In the aftermath of Euronymous’s death, Hellhammer and Necrobutcher took on the task of releasing the album. Euronymous’s parents requested that the bass tracks recorded by Vikernes be removed from the album. Hellhammer responded by saying, “I thought it was appropriate that the murderer and victim were on the same record. I put word out that I was re-recording the bass parts, but I never did.”

The album was finally released in May 1994, coinciding with Vikernes’s sentencing. “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” features the last lyrics written by Dead before his suicide, and the last songs recorded by Euronymous before his murder.

The Symphony of Satan

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is a masterclass in black metal, its music characterized by fast, highly distorted, and low-fidelity guitar riffs, high-pitched shrieking vocals, and relentless blast-beat drumming. The lyrics are as dark and cryptic as the music, often dealing with themes of death, darkness, and Satanism. The album’s title itself, translating to “The Mysterious Lord Satan”, is a testament to its thematic content.

The tracks are composed in a complex structure, with multiple tempo changes and intricate guitar riffs. Atmospheric elements and eerie sound effects are woven into the music, contributing to the overall dark and ominous tone of the album. The opening track, “Funeral Fog”, sets the tone for the rest of the album with its fast-paced, aggressive guitar riffs and high-pitched shrieking vocals. In contrast, “Freezing Moon” is noted for its slower tempo and more melodic approach, offering a counterpoint to the album’s predominantly fast and aggressive style.

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is often cited as one of the most influential albums in the black metal genre. Its unique style has been a major influence on many black metal bands that followed. The album’s raw and aggressive sound, combined with its dark and cryptic lyrics, helped to define the style of Norwegian black metal. Its complex song structures and use of atmospheric elements have also been influential in the development of the genre.

Despite the controversy and tragedy surrounding its creation, ‘De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas’ has been praised for its artistic merit and is considered a classic of the black metal genre.

Despite the controversy and tragedy surrounding its creation, the album has been praised for its artistic merit and is considered a classic of the black metal genre. The influence of “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” can be seen in the work of many modern black metal bands, who have incorporated elements of its style into their own music.

The Black Metal Blueprint

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is more than just an album; it’s a cornerstone of black metal, widely considered one of the most influential albums of the genre. It continues to top “best album” lists by longtime fans, while simultaneously inspiring new bands whose members were not even born when it was recorded. The album is described as “one of the most essential black metal albums of all time”, exposing the listener to all the power, glory, and contradictions inherent in Norwegian black metal. It’s a fascinating artifact from a dark past and an essential piece of black metal listening.

The album’s influence and legacy have been recognized by various media outlets. It was included on IGN’s list of “10 Great Black Metal Albums”. Metal Hammer named it one of the 20 best black metal albums of the ’90s. Loudwire named it the 8th best extreme metal album of all time, writing that “The riffs are unforgettable and the atmosphere is caustic and suffocating with Attila Csihar’s twisted, throaty cries sending it all to hell.” They also argued that the album has a “stranglehold” on “black metal’s legacy”. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” as 40th on their list of “The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time”.

De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas’ didn’t just change the way extreme metal was made; it transformed black metal into more than just music – it became a way to see life (or death).

The album’s influence extends to other bands as well, with various songs from this album being covered live and in the studio by bands such as Dissection, Immortal, Dark Funeral, Carpathian Forest, Gorgoroth, Behemoth, Vader, Enslaved, Cradle of Filth, and Darkmoon. “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” didn’t just change the way extreme metal was made; it transformed black metal into more than just music – it became a way to see life (or death).

Shrouded in Shadows: The Controversies and Incidents

The creation and release of “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” were steeped in controversy and tragedy. One of the most notorious incidents involved an alleged plot by Varg Vikernes, also known as Count Grishnackh, to blow up Nidaros Cathedral, which was featured on the album cover. Vikernes was reportedly upset about the church’s conversion to Christianity and wanted to destroy it in protest. However, the plot was never carried out.

Dead shot himself in the head, leaving a note that chillingly read, “Excuse all the blood”.

The band was also marked by personal tragedies. The suicide of band member Per Yngve Ohlin, known as Dead, sent shockwaves through the black metal community. Dead shot himself in the head, leaving a note that chillingly read, “Excuse all the blood”. Øystein Aarseth, known as Euronymous, who discovered Dead’s body, allegedly took pieces of his skull and made necklaces out of them, which were given to musicians he deemed worthy.

The controversies didn’t end there. Euronymous was later murdered by Vikernes, leading to a significant delay in the release of the album. Vikernes was convicted for the murder and for arson attacks on three churches. The album’s release was further complicated by Euronymous’s parents, who objected to the inclusion of Vikernes on the album. Despite intentions to remove Vikernes’ bass tracks from the album, due to a misunderstanding, they were included in the final release.

Despite, or perhaps because of, the controversies and disturbing events surrounding its creation and release, “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is often cited as one of the most influential black metal albums of all time. The album’s dark history and the controversies surrounding it have led to a lot of media attention and have been the subject of numerous documentaries and books on the history of black metal.

A Legacy Carved in Black

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” stands as a towering monument in the landscape of black metal. Its raw, aggressive sound has reverberated through the genre, inspiring countless bands and artists. The album’s release was shrouded in controversy and tragedy, elements that have only added to its mystique and allure. The deaths of band members Euronymous and Dead have become infamous tales within the black metal community, their stories as haunting as the music they created.

Despite the controversy, the album has received widespread critical acclaim and is frequently cited as one of the greatest black metal albums of all time. Its influence can be heard echoing in the music of many modern black metal bands, shaping the genre’s sound and aesthetic.

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike. Its legacy has endured for over three decades, standing as a seminal work in the black metal genre. The album’s dark and atmospheric sound has become synonymous with black metal, setting the standard for what the genre should sound like.

Despite the band’s tumultuous history, Mayhem continues to perform and release new music, with the legacy of “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” living on in their ongoing work. The album’s impact extends beyond music, influencing fashion, visual art, and literature within the black metal subculture.

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is more than just an album. It is a symbol of rebellion, individualism, and the dark side of human nature.

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is more than just an album. It is a symbol of rebellion, individualism, and the dark side of human nature. Its legacy is as much about its cultural impact as its musical influence. The album’s enduring popularity is a testament to its quality and influence. Despite being released over 30 years ago, it continues to be discovered and appreciated by new generations of black metal fans.