MAYHEM - Deathcrush (12" Gatefold LP on Black Vinyl)

"Deathcrush" is a seminal EP by the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem, originally released on August 16, 1987. While highly influential to the black metal genre, its lyrics and sound were largely influenced by early death metal bands. The track "Chainsaw Gutsfuck" was even voted "Most Gruesome Lyrics Ever" by Blender in 2006. This EP was groundbreaking, setting new standards of brutality, although the songwriting still shows influences from bands like Venom and early Bathory. Mayhem is credited with pioneering much of the black metal genre, making "Deathcrush" essential listening for any metal fan.