Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo. Formed in 1984, the group originally featured guitarist and lead vocalist Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth (originally known as "Destructor"), bassist and second vocalist Jørn "Necrobutcher" Stubberud and drummer Kjetil Manheim. The band's current lineup includes Necrobutcher (who rejoined in 1995 after originally leaving in 1991), drummer Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg (since 1988), vocalist Attila Csihar (first from 1992 to 1993, and since 2004), and guitarists Morten Bergeton "Teloch" Iversen (since 2011) and Charles "Ghul" Hedger (since 2012).
History
1984–1993
Mayhem was formed in 1984 by Necrobutcher with Euronymous and Manheim. After two years of rehearsals, the trio released its first demo Pure Fucking Armageddon in early 1986.[1] Shortly after its release, the group became a four-piece when Eirik "Messiah" Norheim took over vocals from Euronymous.[2] Within a year, the vocalist had been replaced by Sven Erik "Maniac" Kristiansen, who performed on the group's first EP Deathcrush.[1] Both Maniac and Manheim left shortly after the EP's release, and were briefly replaced by Vomit members Kittil Kittilsen and Torben Grue, respectively.[2]
During early 1988, Euronymous and Necrobutcher rebuilt Mayhem with the addition of new vocalist Per "Dead" Ohlin and drummer Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg.[2] The new incarnation remained stable for several years, recording several live releases, but did not issue a full-length studio album.[3] On 8 April 1991, Dead committed suicide at a house shared with Euronymous and Hellhammer.[4] Due to his death, and the guitarist's subsequent actions (including taking photos of his body, one of which was later used as the cover for a bootleg release), Necrobutcher left Mayhem.[5]
After a brief stint with Stian "Occultus" Johannsen, the band returned in late 1991 with Attila Csihar on vocals and Varg "Count Grishnackh" Vikernes on bass.[6][7] This lineup recorded Mayhem's long-awaited full-length debut De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, which featured material written by Dead and Necrobutcher.[8] However, before it could be released, Vikernes murdered Euronymous on August 10, 1993, stabbing the guitarist 23 times after growing tensions and business disputes.[9] The group consequently disbanded, with De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas receiving a release in 1994.[10]
Since 1995
In late 1995, Mayhem was reformed with a lineup including Hellhammer, former members Maniac (vocals) and Necrobutcher (bass), and new guitarist Rune "Blasphemer" Eriksen.[8] This incarnation remained intact for almost nine years, issuing the group's second and third full-length studio albums, Grand Declaration of War and Chimera.[11] In November 2004, Maniac left the band and was replaced by another former vocalist, Attila Csihar.[12] One more album followed, Ordo Ad Chao, before Blasphemer left in August 2008 claiming that he "simply [didn't] see any future for me in the band anymore".[13]
Blasphemer was replaced on tour by Krister "Morfeus" Dreyer starting in October 2008,[14] who was joined by French guitarist Silmaeth starting in March 2009.[15] Just under two years later, Silmaeth was replaced by Morten Bergeton "Teloch" Iversen,[16] and in 2012 Morfeus was replaced by Charles "Ghul" Hedger.[17]
Members
Current
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Necrobutcher (Jørn Stubberud) |
|
|
all Mayhem releases, except De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994),[18] and Life Eternal (2008) | |
| Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) |
|
drums vocals 2004-2005 | all Mayhem releases from Studio Tracks (1990) onwards | |
| Attila Csihar |
|
vocals |
| |
| Teloch (Morten Bergeton Iversen) |
2011–present | guitar | all Mayhem releases from Esoteric Warfare (2014) onwards, except retrospective live releases | |
| Ghul (Charles Hedger) |
2012–present |
Former
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euronymous (Øystein Aarseth) |
1984–1993 (until his death) |
|
| |
| deadseed | 1984 (temporary) | vocals | none | |
| Ståle Redalen | ||||
| Per Nilsen | guitar | |||
| Kjetil Manheim | 1984–1987 |
|
| |
| Messiah (Eirik Norheim) |
1986 | vocals | Deathcrush (1987) – three tracks only The Dawn of the Black Hearts (1995) – Bonus tracks only Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando (2021) – Guest appearance on 1 track | |
| Maniac (Sven Erik Kristiansen) |
|
| ||
| Kittil Kittilsen | 1987–1988 (temporary) | none | ||
| Torben Grue | drums | |||
| Dead (Per Ohlin) |
1988–1991 (until his death) | vocals |
| |
| Occultus (Stian Johannsen) |
1991 |
|
none | |
| Count Grishnackh (Varg Vikernes) |
1991–1993 | bass |
| |
| Blackthorn
(Snorre Ruch) |
1992-1993 | rhythm guitar | De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994) [19] (Songwriting only) | |
| Blasphemer (Rune Eriksen) |
1995–2008 |
|
all Mayhem releases from Wolf's Lair Abyss (1997) to Ordo Ad Chao (2007) | |
| Alexander Nordgaren | 1997–1998 (touring only) | guitar | none | |
| Sanrabb (Morten Furuly) |
2004 (touring only) | |||
| Ihizahg (Tom Johansen) |
2004–2005 (touring only) | |||
| Morfeus (Krister Dreyer) |
2008–2012 (touring only) | |||
| Silmaeth (aka Vagus Nox, real name unknown) |
2009–2011 (touring only) |
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Timeline
Lineups
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 – early 1986 |
|
|
| Early – late 1986 |
|
|
| Late 1986 – late 1987 |
| |
| Late 1987 – early 1988 |
|
none |
| Early 1988 – April 1991 |
|
|
| Mid–late 1991 |
|
none |
| Late 1991 – August 1993 |
|
|
| Band inactive August 1993 – late 1995 | ||
| Late 1995 – November 2004 |
|
|
| November 2004 – August 2008 |
|
|
| October 2008 – March 2009 |
|
none |
| March 2009 – February 2011 |
| |
| February 2011 – late 2012 |
| |
| Late 2012 – present |
|
|
References
- 1 2 Doran, John (April 10, 2014). ""It's Not Easy Listening": Thirty Years Of Pure Fucking Mayhem". The Quietus. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- 1 2 3 Alves, Luis (April 2014). "30 Years of Darkness". Against Magazine. No. 8. Against Magazine. pp. 8–31. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ↑ Krovatin, Chris (April 8, 2020). "Per "Dead" Ohlin Was Black Metal's Most Tragic Loss". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ↑ Hartmann, Graham (June 4, 2012). "Marduk Guitarist Confirms He Owns Skull and Brain Matter from Mayhem's Per 'Dead' Ohlin". Loudwire. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ↑ Campion, Chris (February 20, 2005). "In the face of death". The Guardian. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ↑ Wiederhorn, Jon (October 2, 2017). "Mayhem's Attila Csihar on "Very Mystical Album" 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas'". Revolver. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ↑ Linke, Werner "Nyar" (1991). "Interview with Varg Vikernes". C.O.T.I.M. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- 1 2 Grow, Kory (February 9, 2017). "Mayhem's Long, Dark Road to Reviving a Black-Metal Classic". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ↑ Godfrey, Alex (March 22, 2019). "'Before you know it, it's not a big deal to kill a man': Norwegian black metal's murderous past". The Guardian. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ↑ Huey, Steve. "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas - Mayhem: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "Mayhem: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ↑ "Mayhem Vocalist Maniac Out, Attila Back In". Blabbermouth.net. November 16, 2004. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ↑ "Departing Mayhem Guitarist: 'I Don't Regret Anything'". Blabbermouth.net. August 9, 2008. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ↑ "Dimension F3 H Frontman To Join Mayhem For South American Dates". Blabbermouth.net. October 16, 2008. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ↑ "Mayhem Announces New Touring Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net. March 17, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ↑ "Mayhem Parts Ways With Guitarist, Announces Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. February 12, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ↑ Hadusek, Jon (September 27, 2019). "Mayhem unleash "Of Worms and Ruins" ahead of new album Daemon: Stream". Yahoo!. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ↑ Co–wrote some of the music and lyrics.
- ↑ "Interview with Necro Butcher and Hellhammer taken from Terrorizer magazine #45". panzer.users5.50megs.com. Retrieved 2021-01-26.