MAYHEM - Chimera
June 1, 2004, 20 years ago
(Season Of Mist)
Mayhem took it on the chin from many fans and critics with respect to their last album Grand Declaration Of War due to its experimental nature. Stepping back from adventure, the legendary black metal unit have issued a more straight forward release this time out. Gone is the overt military thrust and most of the oratory vocals, retained is the clinical coldness and pristine production. A monochromatic blastfest from start to finish, Chimera bristles with fine performances by all members. Maniac provides an effective gargled vocal vehemence, Hellhammer rules on the drum kit and Blasphemer provides the strafing guitar action that lends much of the controlled chaos flavour to the release. When all is said and done, however, this fan finds Chimera slightly disappointing compared to the previous release - or to Hellhammer and Blasphemer's Mezzerschmitt side project release from 2002 for that matter. Looked at fairly as a standalone piece of art though, it still is an impressive outing, an album which finds Mayhem consolidating strengths rather than stretching boundaries.
