From The Dark Past

Mayhem's song "From The Dark Past" delves into themes of ancient horrors and the haunting nature of forgotten memories. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who has returned from a place of damnation, his face decayed by age, symbolizing the passage of time and the erosion of his humanity. This imagery sets a grim tone, suggesting that the experiences he endured were so harrowing that they have left him a hollow shell, unable to fully articulate the terror he witnessed.

The repeated references to silence and emptiness, such as "The eyes - stares so empty" and "The mouth - screams so silent," emphasize the profound impact of these dark experiences. The man's inability to express his fears and the silence that surrounds his screams suggest a trauma so deep that it transcends verbal communication. This silence can be interpreted as a metaphor for the ineffable nature of true horror, something that words cannot capture.

The song also touches on the theme of ancient legends and stories, hinting at a past so dark that it has blackened the man's sight and erased even his memories. The coldness of the stone and the wind being the only entity able to tell the true fears further enhance the sense of desolation and mystery. Mayhem, known for their pioneering role in the black metal genre, often explores themes of darkness, death, and the supernatural, and "From The Dark Past" is a quintessential example of their ability to evoke a chilling atmosphere through their music and lyrics.