Mediolanum Capta Est
Mayhem · 1999
55 min · 12 tracks · black metal
An unrelenting barrage of chaotic riffs and haunting atmospheres that encapsulate the essence of Norwegian black metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Freezing Moon — This track stands out as an iconic representation of Mayhem's dark soundscape, featuring chilling melodies that intertwine with aggressive riffs, capturing the essence of despair.
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Deathcrush Start here — A ferocious blend of speed and brutality, this song showcases Mayhem's signature style while also serving as a nod to their earlier work, making it a vital part of their identity.
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Chainsaw Gutsfuck — The title itself elicits shock, while musically, it delivers relentless aggression and dissonance, exemplifying the band's unfiltered approach to extreme metal.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases chaotic riffs and atmospheric shifts typical of black metal, with a raw production that enhances its intensity.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken-word intro that sets a dark tone, followed by relentless blast beats and tremolo-picked guitar riffs in the first three tracks.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, shifting from fast-paced aggression to slower, more atmospheric sections, creating a sense of unpredictability.
- The production is raw and unpolished, emphasizing the chaotic nature of the music while allowing the intricate guitar work to remain prominent.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- eerie atmospheres for deep focus
- cathartic release through aggression
- immersive journey of darkness
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marks a significant return and re-establishment of Mayhem's presence in black metal.
- Themes
- Norwegian winter darkness· chaotic soundscapes· extreme metal brutality
- Career context
- Mediolanum Capta Est is Mayhem's first full-length album since their tumultuous early years, marking a return to the studio after a series of lineup changes. Released in 1999, this album followed their influential EP 'Wolf's Lair Abyss' and solidified their status in the black metal genre during a time when many bands were exploring different directions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Burzum· Darkthrone· Emperor
Tracklist
- 1 Silvester Anfang 1:51
- 2 Deathcrush Start here 3:31
- 3 Fall of Seraphs 6:34
- 4 Carnage 4:42
- 5 Necrolust 3:47
- 6 Ancient Skin 5:42
- 7 Freezing Moon 6:50
- 8 Symbols of Bloodswords 4:52
- 9 From the Dark Past 5:12
- 10 Chainsaw Gutsfuck 5:16
- 11 I Am Thy Labyrinth 6:14
- 12 Pure Fucking Armageddon 1:01
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Transilvanian Hunger
Darkthrone
Shares the raw, chaotic energy and bleak atmosphere of Norwegian black metal.
In the Nightside Eclipse
Emperor
Combines haunting melodies with brutal soundscapes, echoing the darkness of winter themes.
Pentagram
Gorgoroth
Delivers a similarly relentless barrage of riffs and chaos, rooted in black metal's aggressive essence.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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