I have to say when I first heard Mayhem Deathcrush which was around the 1992 period, I have to say I wasn’t impressed. I’d already started listening to Dark Throne, Bathory, Immortal and Cradle of Filth, all of whom had much clearer sounding releases and were far more musically developed than Mayhem. It wasn’t until years later when my own band ended up opening for Mayhem that the true importance of this band became clear to me. In fact I have to say I took a liking to their third album onwards as the sound was much clearer and the guys had really come a long way but to be fair to them this is where it all started for them and the countless black metal bands they influenced.
A Sonic Assault That is Mayhem Deathcrush
Mayhem Deathcrush is not the longest of albums. It seems to go for around 20 mins from start to finish. It’s short but its sweet. From the moment the eerie, distorted notes of the intro “Silvester Anfang” play, Deathcrush makes it clear that it is not for the faint of heart. This unsettling piece, composed by Conrad Schnitzler of Tangerine Dream, provides an ominous introduction before the chaos fully erupts. Once “Deathcrush” begins, there is no turning back. The title track delivers breakneck speed, pummeling drums, and Euronymous’s razor-sharp guitar riffs, all topped with Maniac’s and Messiah’s deranged vocals. The song’s relentless pace and unhinged energy set the tone for the rest of the EP.
Raw Production and Atmosphere
One of the defining aspects of Deathcrush is its lo-fi production. The album’s sound is murky, distorted, and unrefined—qualities that many later black metal bands would deliberately emulate. Rather than being a drawback, this rawness adds to the EP’s sinister and otherworldly atmosphere. The drumming, performed by Manheim, is aggressive but occasionally erratic, reinforcing the DIY, punk-inspired ethos of the recording. Euronymous’s guitar work is primitive yet effective, delivering piercing tremolo-picked sections that hint at the sinister melodies he would perfect in later years.
Legacy and Influence
Despite its crude production and chaotic execution, Deathcrush has had an undeniable impact on black metal. It laid the groundwork for Mayhem’s later, more refined work, including the legendary De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994). More broadly, Deathcrush was instrumental in the development of the second wave of black metal, influencing bands like Darkthrone, Immortal, and Gorgoroth. Even today, its raw aggression and unapologetic extremity continue to inspire underground metal acts.
Final Verdict
Deathcrush is not an album for everyone. Its abrasive sound, chaotic performance, and lo-fi production make it a difficult listen for those unaccustomed to extreme metal. However, for fans of black metal and those interested in the genre’s roots, Deathcrush is an essential release. It captures the unfiltered aggression and darkness that would define an entire movement, securing its place in metal history as a true underground classic.
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