Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Oslo in 1984. They were one of the founders of the Norwegian black metal scene and their music has strongly influenced the black metal genre. Mayhem's early career was highly controversial, primarily due to their notorious live performances, the 1991 suicide of vocalist Per Yngve Ohlin ("Dead") and the 1993 murder of guitarist Øystein Aarseth ("Euronymous") by former member Varg Vikernes ("Count Grishnackh") of Burzum.
Mayhem
Mayhem live in 2008
Mayhem live in 2008
Background information
Also known as
Musta [1]
Origin
Oslo, Norway
Genres
Black metal
Years active
1984–19931995–present
Labels
Season of Mist Deathlike Silence Century Media Misanthropy Necropolis
Website
www.thetruemayhem.comMembers
Necrobutcher
Hellhammer
Attila Csihar
Teloch
Ghul
Past members
(see below) or List
The group released a demo and an EP that were highly influential, and amassed a loyal following through sporadic and notorious live performances, attracting further attention through their ties to the string of Norwegian church burnings and the incidents of violence surrounding them. Mayhem disbanded after Aarseth's murder, shortly before the release of their debut album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, regarded as a classic of the black metal genre. Surviving former members Jan Axel Blomberg ("Hellhammer"), Jørn Stubberud ("Necrobutcher") and Sven Erik Kristiansen ("Maniac") reformed the next year with Rune Eriksen ("Blasphemer") replacing Aarseth
