The
Black Metal group MAYHEM was formed in 1984 by Ostein Aarseth (Euronymous),
drummer Manheim, and bassist Jorn Stubberud (Necrobutcher). The band name was
taken from the song "Mayhem With Mercy" by the first true black metal
band Venom. They weren't really that active when they first formed, and they
really didn't do much. In 1986
Mayhem
recorded their first Demo "Voice of a Totured Skull". 1000 copies were
printed of this now legendary demo.
The
second demo "Pure Fucking Armageddon", as well as "Voice of a
Tortured Skull" were recored as a 3 piece with Necrobutcher on bass,
Manhein on drums, and Euronymous on guitar and vocals(which were terrible
sounding). The demo was pretty much rejected by all critics, due to the terrible
sound quility no doubt. Mayhem kept on going however, not really giving a fuck
about what others think (which is one of the bands best qualities). They
recruited a real vocalist into the band. Sven Erik Kristiansen (Maniac) was
given the vocal duties. In 1987 the group recorded the "Deathcrush"
demo. The demo was released under Euronymous' own label Deathlike Silence
Productions in 1000 copies. The band then played various gigs and the demo sold
out rather quickly. The Deathcrush demo was re-released in 1993 on the DSP
label. A short time after the Deathcrush release, Maniac and Manheim left the
band. A new voaclist Dead, and a new drummer Jan Axel Von Blomberg (The
Legendary Hellhammer) were brought into the band. Shortly after this induction
new material began to emerge from the new lineup. Two studio recordings were
made for compilation CD's, the only two studio recordings with Dead on vocals,
they were Carnage, and The Freezing Moon.
After
that the band recorded the "Live In Leipzig" live CD, this featured
Dead, Necrobutcher, Euronymous, and Hellhammer. The CD would be the last
appearance of Dead, as he took his own life. It was said that he was fed up with
the scene, and people polluting the Black Metal Scene as his reason for killing
himself. Soon after the suicide of Dead, Necrobutcher left the band. He was
friends with Dead, and was sick of the life and wanted a real job.
This
left Euronymous and Hellhammer with an albums worth of material and no bassist
or vocalist. Euronymous recruited Varg Vikerenes (Count Grishnack) on the Bass.
Atilla was brought in as a session vocalist fro the recording of the debut full
length studio album "De Mysteriis Dom Santhanas". The album was
completed, and the tension between Grishnack and Euronymous began to grow.It
ended up with Euronymous being Stabbed by the Count, with the session guitarist
Blackthorne as an accompliss to the murder.
Hellhammer
re-recorded the Bass tracks for De Mysteriis, and it was released in 1993, as to
have been thought the last requiem of Mayhem Mayhem was silecned for several
years. The band may have silenced, but the music and the spirit nevr did. Lots
of Mayhem bootlegs were released, people wouldn't let it go. It must have been
something to do with this, that caused Hellhammer to reform the band in 1994.
They
are now back and in my comparison far better than they ever were. Hellhammer
looked up Maniac and Necrobutcher asked them if they were interested.
Necrobutcher new a guy called Rune Erickson (Blasphemer) that he thought would
work nicely on guitar. They all agreed to give it a shot, but if the vibe was
not there that wuold be it. Turns out that the vibe was there in a big way.
They
all clicked. Now they are back with a new MCD entitled "Wolf's Lair
Abyss". It is four new tracks that demolish anything ever recorded. They
have played several shows, including a small tour in the US and Mexico. May
16th, 2000 brought the release of A Grand Declaration of War, Mayhem's first
Full length since De Mysteriis in 1993. The album takes Black metal to new and
unexplored realms, Mayhem refuses to follow, instead they set the path for
others. The band tours the US in summer of 2000. Members of Mayhem Euronymous
Founder and guitarist of Mayhem from 1984-1993 killed by Count Grishnack. Owned
Deathlike Silence Productions Necro Butcher Bassist of Mayhem from 1984-1990,
1994-Present.
On Voice of a Tortured Skull, Pure Fucking Armageddon, Deathcrush, Live in
Leipzig, and Wolf's Lair Abyss.Manheim Drums on Voice of a Tortured Skull, Pure
Fucking Armageddon, and Deathcrush. Replaced by Hellhammer. Messiah Vocals on
the Deathcrush Demo for the songs, Pure Fucking Armageddon, Witching Hour Maniac
Vocals 1986-1988 1994-Present.Vocals on Deathcrush, and Wolf's Lair Abyss. Also
vocals on the new A Declaration of War full length. Blasphemer Guitars
1994-Present. Guitars on Wolf's Lair Abyss, and the new album A Grand
Declaration of War. Hellhammer Drums on everything after Deathcrush.He IS
Mayhems drummer. Dead Vocals for Live In Leipzig, and two studio compilation
tracks. Wrote the vocals for De Mysteriis Dom Santhanas Atilla Session vocalist
for De Mysteriis Dom Santhanas
A Tribute To The Black Emperor
The End Of DEAD Life
