Ordo Ad Chao

Ordo Ad Chao
Studio album by Mayhem
Released	23 April 2007
Recorded	Mølla Studio, Gjerstad, Norway, 13 November – 4 December 2006
Genre	Black metal
Length	40:46
Label	Season of Mist
Producer	Attila Csihar, Blasphemer
Mayhem chronology
Chimera (2004) Ordo Ad Chao (2007)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
About.com	[1]
'The Observer	[2]
PopMatters	(5/10)[3]

Ordo Ad Chao is the fourth full-length album by the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. "Ordo ad chao" is incorrect Latin (correct: "Ōrdō ā chaos").^[4] It is meant to be translated as "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.^[5]

It is the first Mayhem album to feature vocalist Attila Csihar since the 1994 release, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. Jan Axel Blomberg (Hellhammer) stated on his official forum that the drum tracks were not equalized and only the bass drums were triggered.^[6] He finished saying "the production sounds necro as fuck, but that's the way we wanted it – this time. It represents Mayhem today." And indeed, the sound of the album is far 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 ever. The album features some death grunts and clean vocals. However, Grand Declaration of War features more clean vocals.

The album was released to the world on April 23, 2007 and to North America a day later. The album charted at #12 in Norway, making it the band's highest charting album yet. There is a limited edition version of the album that comes in a metal case that is limited to a production of 3000.^[7] As stated by Blasphemer in an interview with Inferno Magazine, Necrobutcher did not play the bass guitar on the album, despite being credited in the booklet.^[8]

Track listing

All music composed by Blasphemer, all lyrics written by Attila Csihar, except where noted.

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

Personnel

• Attila Csihar – vocals, producer, mastering
• Blasphemer (Rune Eriksen) – guitar, bass
• Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) – drums
• Mr. Knut Valle – engineer, mixing
• Kim Sølve, Trine Paulsen – artwork, photography

Charts

Chart (2007)	Peak position
Norwegian Albums Chart[9]	12

References

1. ^ Bowar, Chad. "Ordo Ad Chao review". About.com. The New York Times Company. http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/mayhemordo.htm. Retrieved 18 April 2010. 
2. ^ Campion, Chris (22 April 2007). "Mayhem, Ordo ad Chao". The Observer (Guardian News and Media Limited). http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/apr/22/popandrock.shopping5. Retrieved 29 August 2009. 
3. ^ Blackie, Andrew (20 June 2007). "Mayhem: Ordo Ad Chao < Reviews". PopMatters. http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/mayhem-ordo-ad-chao. Retrieved 29 August 2009. 
4. ^ Collins Latin & Grammar Dictionary
5. ^ Nordseth, Pål (2 February 2008). "Vet ikke om vi gir ut flere plater" (in Norwegian). Kjendis.no (DB Medialab AS). http://www.kjendis.no/2008/02/02/525740.html. Retrieved 29 August 2009. 
6. ^ "Extremedrumming.net - Jan 2007 - "New Mayhem Song!!!" thread" January 24, 2007.
7. ^ "Roadrunnerrecords.com - MAYHEM's 'Ordo Ad Chao' Enters Norwegian Chart At No. 12 - Apr. 24, 2007" thread".
8. ^ "[1]".
9. ^ http://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?search=Mayhem&cat=a