Mayhem

Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band from Langhus, Norway, active from 1984 to the present. It is one of the pioneering groups of the Norwegian black metal scene, and its early work helps shape the development of the genre.

Formation and early material

The band forms in 1984 in Oslo with guitarist Øystein Aarseth, bassist and vocalist Jørn Stubberud, and drummer Kjetil Manheim. The name comes from the Venom song “Mayhem with Mercy”. In its early phase, the group mainly plays covers of Black Sabbath, Venom and Motörhead before moving on to original material influenced by extreme metal and hardcore punk, including Venom, Slayer, Bathory, Celtic Frost, Sarcófago, Hellhammer and Amebix. It records the demo “Pure Fucking Armageddon” and the EP “Deathcrush”, which appears in 1987 on Euronymous’ label Posercorpse Music and later is reissued in 1993 on Deathlike Silence Productions.

Line-up changes and early reputation

After early changes in the line-up, Sven Erik Kristiansen, known as Maniac, joins and sings on “Deathcrush”. By the late 1980s, Manheim and Kristiansen leave, and the band brings in Per Yngve Ohlin, known as Dead, and drummer Jan Axel Blomberg, known as Hellhammer. With this line-up, Mayhem becomes known for highly theatrical and extreme live performances. Dead uses corpse paint and builds a stage persona intended to resemble a corpse rather than theatrical rock makeup. Performances sometimes include self-harm and animal heads on stage, adding to the band’s controversial reputation.

Controversy and De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

In 1990, the band moves into a shared house near Oslo to rehearse and write material for “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”. On 8 April 1991, Dead dies by suicide at the residence, and Euronymous discovers the body and photographs the scene. The incident has a major effect on the band and the wider scene, and Necrobutcher leaves afterwards, reducing the group to a smaller core. Euronymous continues work on the album and recruits Varg Vikernes, Snorre W. Ruch, known as Blackthorn, and Attila Csihar for recording. The album is recorded mainly in 1993 at Grieg Hall in Bergen and released in 1994, dedicated to Euronymous. It becomes one of the most influential black metal albums.

Reformation and later albums

Following the murder of Euronymous by Varg Vikernes on 10 August 1993, Mayhem effectively ceases activity for a time. In 1995, Hellhammer, Maniac and Necrobutcher reform the band with guitarist Rune Eriksen, known as Blasphemer. The EP “Wolf’s Lair Abyss” follows in 1997, marking the post-reunion era. “Grand Declaration of War” appears in 2000 as a concept album with progressive and experimental elements, and “Chimera” follows in 2004 with a return in part to a rawer black metal style. Maniac leaves later in 2004 and Attila Csihar returns on vocals. “Ordo ad Chao” arrives in 2007 with deliberately raw production and unorthodox mixing, and wins the Spellemann Award for Best Heavy Metal Album.

Recent activity

Blasphemer leaves in 2008, after which the band continues with a rotating cast of touring musicians, including Morfeus, Silmaeth, Teloch and others. “Esoteric Warfare” is released in 2014 and continues the band’s experimental approach, with Teloch becoming a permanent member. “Daemon” appears in 2019, combining modern production with references to the early work. The band also releases the EP “Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando”, which includes previously recorded material and cover versions of punk songs with guest appearances by former vocalists, and the live album “Daemonic Rites” in 2023. In 2021, Mayhem is inducted into the Rockheim Hall of Fame. It remains associated with Season of Mist and continues as a black metal and metal group with members including Hellhammer, Necrobutcher, Maniac, Attila Csihar, Blasphemer, Teloch and Ghul.