Mayhem - Live In Leipzig [1993]

Fortunately, notoriety isn't all that's needed to gain recognition within black metal circles. Sure, Mayhem have it in spades, due to the whole Euronymous business, and the suicide of Dead, after which band members allegedly took pieces of his skull and made them into necklaces, but it is difficult to deny that their music is some of the finest black metal art to ever grace this planet. This is the final official release done with Dead, and it is also one of the most effective live albums that this humble author has heard. It really puts across the atmosphere for those of us who, for whatever reason, never got the chance to see Mayhem in their prime, and, in addition, draws a delightful contrast between the more primitive material off Deathcrush and Pure Fucking Armageddon and the more refined, genre-defining De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. Although I personally find Attila to be a more interesting vocalist (heresy, I know), this is also a vital opportunity to hear the legendary Per Ohlin.

v1 VBR (can re-upload in 320 if needs be)

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Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao [2007]

This is often overlooked, even in Mayhem's shallow back catalogue, but it's one of the most haunting pieces of music I've ever heard. Atilla's vocals are even more deranged than on 'De Mysteriis...', and the instruments create a background of a slowly growing sense of tension.

320 kbps

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Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas [1994]

Somewhat overshadowed by the events that surrounded it (Euronymous' murder, church burnings etc.), this is still seen commonly as THE best black metal album. The riffing is haunting, and Atilla's vocals are incredible.

192 kbps

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Mayhem - Deathcrush EP [1987]

If you want necro, this is it. A very sloppy, simplistic approach at black metal (but nowhere near to the same extent as the Pure Fucking Armageddon demo, which is nigh-on unlistenable), that has Maniac on vocals. A nice mid-point between said demo and 'De Mysteriis...'.

192 kbps

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