EP REVIEW: Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando – Mayhem
It’s no secret that the origins of black metal derive from the reckless and attitude-driven ways of punk. The late 70s was, at the time, at its peak for bands constantly coming forward and breaking down the boundaries that they did not wish to conform to. SEX PISTOLS, RAMONES, DEAD KENNEDYS, DISCHARGE to name a few were influential to a scene, especially of teens, who were also fed up with the rules. This is where black metal comes in. In the 80s, a bunch of musicians, all of whom enjoyed punk music, got together and jammed cover songs of some of their favourite artists. As bands such as VENOM, who went one step further than punk come onto the scene, this young band decided to take it to the next level. This band would go on to make history for multiple reasons in metal music, but predominantly for being one of the founding bands of the black metal genre. Now, after the release of 2019’s Daemon, MAYHEM are back with their Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando EP that pays a little homage to their punk roots.
When MAYHEM announced the EP, it was clear that it would feature no new material just yet. The band were still promoting their latest album Daemon on tour when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and they wanted to remain away from any new material until they could finally finish the tour. Instead, thanks to Hellhammer‘s [drums] quick recording process on Daemon, the band had more time left over to play around with, thus leading to some cuts from the album and punk covers, which can now see the daylight.
Voces Ab Alta, Black Glass Communion and Everlasting Dying Flame are all taken from the cuts of Daemon, and in true MAYHEM fashion, they all bare an unforgiving amount of chaotic discomfort. It’s clear as to why this trio didn’t make the final cut of the album, whilst they snarl with discontent and terror, they wouldn’t have felt at their strongest on the final track listing. This does mean though that the release of Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando means that these three particular tracks can be given the worship in which they rightly deserve.
Moving away from the shrieks of the usual black metal sounds MAYHEM are used to delivering to their audience, four covers and ex-MAYHEM vocalists Messiah and Maniac expose the band’s love of punk music and just how it became the foundation for the genre that shook the world to it’s core. In Defense Of Our Future, featuring Messiah on vocals, is a stunning homage to Stoke-on-Trent’s DISCHARGE. A band who have reigned attitude and chaos since their founding in the late 70s. Whilst Maniac attacks DEAD KENNEDYS‘ Hellnation with a closely comparable technique to Jello Biafra [DK vocals 1978-1986]. The only glimpse at the black metal-esque tinge at this point is Atilla‘s [vocals] offering of his usual unwelcoming shrieks and groans as opposed to going for the more punk edge.
In essence, it’s difficult to put this down solely as a MAYHEM EP, because it holds such a magnitude of their inspiration. However, what it has done is create a glimpse into another side of the band who are often associated with being nothing but deadly serious. When the two genres are pieced together, you can really appreciate how much influence punk has had on black metal and for probably the first time in their history, Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando transports them back to the kids who fell in love with playing covers of their favourite tracks for everyone to see.
Rating: 8/10
Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando is out now via Century Media Records.
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