February 6th 2026
Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht (NL)

After making the review of their latest album I got a renewed interest in Mayhem. (see: review).
This album has also awakened my interest in seeing them live. Together with Swedish Black Metal giants Marduk, whom have never failed me (on record as well as on the stage), and the indestructible Immolation (USA) I was eager seeing this true and cult band promoting its new release. But before I make this review I must thank colleague Ingrid and Wilko (Century Media Records) for getting me in Tivoli on this short notice.

Tivoli Ronda was packed with metal adepts. A little too packed for my taste, and it was so damned hot. It felt like the furnace of hell was working here, firing all cylinders. So, I ventured towards the balcony to get a good view. Unfortunately, making pictures didn’t work out as I wanted. The distance but also the lightning on stage (a lot of green and blue) made it near impossible to make decent shots. The atmosphere was beside a few ruffians excellent and it is good to see that metal-kids have found their way in this genre. The undead are being rejuvenated. I have never seen so many colored shirts at a Black Metal concert before. Times are changing, it seems.

Although Immolation is the second oldest band on this package they enter the stage as the first support. As you may know, they don’t play Black Metal but Death Metal. I’ve seen them a few times and although I am not a big Death Metal fan they have quite some crafty tunes in their discography. Their latest output is “Acts of God” (2022). In April they will release “Descent” So let’s find out whether if they will present a few new songs. They started a bit messy. The sound wasn’t that great but without hesitation they played their set. What I find the most disturbing thing about this performance: Robert Vigna is very active on the stage. Especially when you compare this with the stage presence of Ross Dolan (bass, vocals) and guitarist Alex Bouks which seem quite inactive. The massive energy of the music comes to a halt when looking at these guys, and that’s a pity because their newest single “Adversary” shows promise. Don’t get me wrong: these guys sure can make old school Death Metal but it feels a little lackluster on stage. It’s a pity because they are quite accomplished musicians. Better luck next time.

After half an hour the Swedish wolves of Marduk enter the stage. I have seen all three legs of the Memonto Mori tour in one and a half year. To be honest: Marduk is my go to Black Metal live band. Live, they seldom disappoint and with a such a massive discography there’s always something for each listener. Today Marduk treats us of a snippet of its extended discography. Opener “Frontschwein” immediately grabs you at the jugular and within a few songs a mosh pit is starting. Marduk is on fire and when playing the diabolical “Shovel Beats Sceptre” I get goosebumps. This song is such a killer song, especially the clock sample makes it very dark. Together “On Darkened Wings”, “Sulphur Souls ”and “Panzer Division Marduk” (and many more), a decent lightshow (although their digital banner had some glitches) they proved to be a force to be reckoned with. In my opinion Mortuus is still one of the best Black Metal vocalists around, especially live. Add a good and very tight rhythm section and the excellent, fierce and fast guitar play of Morgan and you are in for a dark delight. The audience devoured it. Ending way too early with “The Blond Beast” they managed to give a thrilling set with a few surprises (“The Black..”). See you next time mighty Marduk and thanks for giving another killer show. Good stuff!

After a wait of forty minutes it is time for Mayhem to enter the stage. With excellent, eerie and dark background visuals, subtle but fitting lights and a spot on sound opener song “Realm of Misery” (from their just released album “Liturgy of Death”) managed to make a great first impression. Together with “Life is a Corpse you drag” and “Weep for Nothing” their just released album is promoted.

They made a ramp and Atillah sneaks up and plays its theatrics (and reminds me a bit of Behemoth). His voice is unique and still very strong after all these years. As a dark pope he narrates the entire journey today, changing outfits a few times and interacting with his ornaments (skull, bone cross, among other things). Sometimes it feels a little goofy but the majority of times it works.

Together with Necrobutcher (bass) they are the most active on stage and keep interacting with the audience. Hellhammer’s drumming is as tight as ever. He still is one of the most gifted drummers in extreme music.

Ghul and Teloch are very accomplished guitar players but frankly, they lack podium presence and are very focused on their guitar play. Although the execution is very powerful I must admit that when you look at both guys it feels rather uninspired. The power and raw energy in the songs drift away when looking at them, and that’s a shame.

Mayhem plays songs from their entire discography. Not all songs are my cup of dark tea (I mentioned in the review that I am not fond of their technical stuff such as “Chimera” and “Whore”). But I must admit: although the song “To Daimonion” from the Deamon album is not my favorite on record it is a very solid live song.

This band truly shines when songs of “The Mysterium Dom Sathanas” and “Deathcrush” are offered. You can clearly see that fans love it with a mosh pit as result. And to be honest: who doesn’t want to hear “Buried by Time and Dust”, “The Freezing Moon” and “Deathcrush” performed live? It’s the very essence of Mayhem and the start of new musical era in extreme Metal. Aided with visuals which stylishly blend old pictures of the band (including Dead and Euronymous) the atmosphere gives a proper feeling of gloomish nostalgia.

Mayhem still proves to be relevant with almost unmatched popularity. Deservedly so, they sold loads of merch and the queue was quite big. I managed to get hold of their latest album. Let’s hope Mayhem will be around for another decade making more dark gospel. We deserve it! And beside a few remarks Mayhem made a very solid and highly entertaining show which bonds old Metal veterans and younglings. I thoroughly enjoyed this evening in Tivoli. We are off to a good start with just beginning!

Setlist Mayhem:

1. Realms of Endless Misery
2. Buried by Time and Dust
3. Life is a Corpse you drag
4. Bad Blood
5. Chimera
6. The Vortex Void of Inhumanity
7. Ancient Skin
8. Psywar
9. To Daimonion
10. View From Nihil
11. Whore
12. Freezing Moon (with Dead)
13. Cursed in Eternity
14. Weep for Nothing
15. From the Dark Past
16. Silvester Anfang
17. Deathcrush
18. Necrolust
19. Carnage
20. Pure Fucking Armageddon
21. Weird (Manheim)

Setlist Marduk:

1. Frontschwein
2. Wolves
3. Throne of Rats
4. Shovel Beats Sceptre
5. Cloven Hoof
6. Sulphur Souls
7. On Darkened Wings
8. Infernal Eternal
9. The Black…
10. Panzer Division Marduk
11. The Blond Beast

Setlist Immolation:

1. An Act of God
2. Swarm of Terror
3. Majesty and Decay
4. Adversary
5. Dawn of Possession
6. Blooded
7. Higher Coward
8. Rise the Heretics
9. Nailed to Gold