Ordo Ad Chao
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| Untitled | |
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| About.com |   [1] |
| Chronicles of Chaos |   [2] |
| PopMatters | [3] |
| The Observer | [4] |
Ordo ad Chao is the fourth full-length album by the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. "Ordo ad chao" is incorrect Latin (correct: "ordo ad chaos")[5] for "order to chaos" – a reversal of the Latin expression "ordo ab chao" ("order from chaos") often cited as the motto used in Freemasonry. The album received the Spellemann award for best metal album on 2 February 2008.[6]
It is the first Mayhem album with the vocalist Attila Csihar since the 1994 album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas and the last with Blasphemer after he announced his departure from the band in 2008. The drummer, Jan Axel Blomberg (Hellhammer), said that the drum tracks were not equalized and only the bass drums were triggered.[7] He ended saying "the production sounds necro as fuck, but that's the way we wanted it – this time. It represents Mayhem today." Indeed, the sound of the album is much rawer than that of any official Mayhem studio release since Deathcrush, with a very bass-heavy mix. Despite that, the album continues the somewhat unorthodox songwriting approach showcased on the band's last two releases, with "Illuminate Eliminate" being the band's second longest song. The album includes some death grunts and clean vocals. However, Grand Declaration of War has cleaner vocals.
It also has the distinction of being the first Mayhem album with lyrics written by Attila Csihar (the lyrics on De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas having been penned by Dead). Consequently there is a thematic shift from the band's earlier lyrics, which focused mostly on morbid and Satanic ideas, and the lyrics here allude to psychic powers, the Annunaki, and the creation of the human race as a workforce for alien powers.
The album was released on 23 April 2007. It charted at #12 in Norway, making it the band's highest charting album yet. There is a version of the album supplied in a metal case that is limited to a production of 3,000.[8]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Attila Csihar; all music is composed by Blasphemer
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Wise Birthgiver" | 3:30 |
| 2. | "Wall of Water" | 4:40 |
| 3. | "Great Work of Ages" | 3:52 |
| 4. | "Deconsecrate" | 4:07 |
| 5. | "Illuminate Eliminate" | 9:40 |
| 6. | "Psychic Horns" | 6:32 |
| 7. | "Key to the Storms" | 3:52 |
| 8. | "Anti" (Attila Csihar, Blasphemer) | 4:33 |
| Total length: | 40:10 | |
Personnel
- Attila Csihar – vocals, producer, mastering
- Rune Eriksen – guitar, backing vocals
- Jan Axel Blomberg – drums
- Necrobutcher - bass guitar
- Mr. Knut Valle – engineer, mixing
- Kim Sølve, Trine Paulsen – artwork, photography
Notes
- Necrobutcher is credited as the bass guitarist but did not play on the album
Charts
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Norwegian Albums Chart[9] | 12 |
References
- ^ Bowar, Chad. "Ordo Ad Chao review". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ Montague, James. "CoC: Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao: Review". Chronicles of Chaos. 21 May 2007. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
- ^ Blackie, Andrew (20 June 2007). "Mayhem: Ordo Ad Chao < Reviews". PopMatters. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
- ^ Campion, Chris (22 April 2007). "Mayhem, Ordo ad Chao". The Observer. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
- ^ Collins Latin & Grammar Dictionary
- ^ Nordseth, Pål (2 February 2008). "Vet ikke om vi gir ut flere plater". Kjendis.no (in Norwegian). DB Medialab AS. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
- ^ New Mayhem Song!!! thread, Extremedrumming.net. January 24, 2007.
- ^ "MAYHEM's 'Ordo Ad Chao' Enters Norwegian Chart At No. 12 thread, Roadrunnerrecords.com, 24 April 2007.
- ^ "Norwegian charts portal". Retrieved 27 November 2011.