Mayhem's Attila Csihar Confronts Mortality on New Album "Liturgy of Death"

In a deep-diving new interview with Blabbermouth.net, Mayhem vocalist Attila Csihar opened up about the band's latest studio effort, Liturgy of Death. As the title implies, the album is a profound exploration of human existence, transition, and the finality of life—topics that Csihar says came to him through meditation rather than planned conceptualization.
Confronting the Inevitable

At 55, Csihar reflects on mortality as a universal theme that he now feels "grown up" enough to tackle. "Death itself is so intense," he shared. "It’s everywhere—in art, mythology, and religion. We’ve had people in this band pass away, so it made sense in every direction."

Csihar draws a parallel between birth and death, describing both as transitions between dimensions. He recounts a conversation with an electrician who survived a clinical death experience, noting how such stories influenced the "imaginative" and "sinister" lyrics of the new record. "It’s the end of the misery... the end of the confusion in life," he explained.
35 Years of Chaos and Stability

While founding bassist Necrobutcher has expressed a desire for the band to reach its 50th anniversary in 2034, Csihar is more focused on the immediate future. "I hope Mayhem has another five years of promoting the new album," he said. "We always feel like it could be the last, then we do another."

To maintain the physical stamina required for Mayhem's intense live shows—including their recent two-hour 40th-anniversary sets—Csihar has adopted a strict regimen. He is now straight-edge and practices daily core exercises, such as planks, to support his legendary vocal delivery.
The Creative Process

Liturgy of Death was crafted over three years, with guitarists Teloch and Ghul handling the musical compositions while Csihar returned to handling the lyrics solo. The process was a modern one, with demos sent back and forth between members’ home studios.

Csihar remains humble about his contribution, admitting he often doesn't recognize his own voice when hearing guest spots or old projects. "They are like my babies, my little demon children," he said of his songs. "I like to let them go on their way."
Legacy and Evolution

Reflecting on his journey from the Hungarian underground with Tormentor to joining Mayhem for the legendary De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, Csihar noted how much the scene has changed. He recalled the early '90s as a time of isolation and mystery, long before the internet made the Norwegian scene a global phenomenon.

Today, Mayhem stands as a stable, international touring powerhouse, having maintained the same lineup since 2012. With Liturgy of Death, the band proves they are still capable of pushing the boundaries of the genre they helped define.

Liturgy of Death is available now. Fans can read the full interview over at Blabbermouth.net.