𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…
On December 7, 1999, Mayhem released their live album Mediolanum Capta Est via Dwell Records in the United States (released in Italy on June 6, 1999 via Avantegarde Music).
(Original Album Cover)
The initial limited version was packaged in a special jewelcase with a silvered-embossed Mayhem logo on the front, although its limitation is unknown. The albums front cover photo is courtesy of Ablaze Magazine, Germany.
Background:
Around 1995, Hellhammer, Maniac, and Necrobutcher had reformed the band with new guitarist Rune Eriksen (Blasphemer) in place of Euronymous.
(Sven Erik Kristiansen, aka Maniac)
Despite arousing some controversy and scepticism for reforming without founding member Euronymous, the group returned with the 1997 Wolf's Lair Abyss EP.
(Jan Axel Blomberg, aka Hellhammer)
In this new phase, statements by Hellhammer (who spoke out against race mixing and foreigners in Norway) and the use of Nazi imagery such as swastika flags in the rehearsal room, the Totenkopf emblem and band merchandise featuring the symbol of the military branch of Nasjonal Samling led to controversy and accusations of neo-Nazism.
(Rune Eriksen, aka Blasphemer)
Additionally, Hellhammer stated that no member of the new line-up was a Satanist, and that the "Satanic stuff isn't what I feel Mayhem is about today. Mayhem's music is still dark, but I wouldn't say that it's Satanic."
(Jørn Stubberud, aka Necrobutcher)
Mediolanum Capta Est was recorded at the Rainbow Club in Milan, Italy on November 2, 1998 while the band were touring in support of Wolf's Lair Abyss, and was recorded by Greylife Mobile Recordings, and was mastered at Strype Audio, Oslo by Necrobutcher and Tom Kvålsvoll.
(The Rainbow Club, Milano, Italy)
The line-up features original Mayhem vocalist Maniac (1986–1988, 1995–2004), with current band members Hellhammer on drums (1987–1993, 1994–present) & Necrobutcher on bass (1984–1991, 1994–present), plus former member Blasphemer on guitar (1995-2008).
The show also features a guest appearance by now-current Mayhem vocalist Attila Csihar (1992–1993, 2004–present) on the track From the Dark Past.
With a crystal clear sound & the noticeably stunning drum work of Hellhammer (also former session/touring drummer for Dimmu Borgir), the band themselves considered this worthy of being labelled an official release, as Mayhem storm through a strong set full of classics from old releases Deathcrush & De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, to the post-Euronymous compositions as featured on Wolf's Lair Abyss.
Trivia: The albums title (translated from Latin) means "Milan has been captured", but the correct form of the Latin phrase is "Mediolanum captum est", since "Mediolanum" is neuter and not feminine.
The original recording also included Funeral Fog as the last track with Attila Csihar doing guest vocals.
Video footage of the Milan show: https://youtu.be/AJQ2kxIPA1g
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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