MAYHEM

Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Oslo in 1984. They were among the pioneers of the Norwegian black metal scene and have had a significant influence on the genre. The band's early career included several controversies, such as their live performances, the 1991 suicide of vocalist Per Yngve Ohlin ("Dead"), and the 1993 murder of guitarist Øystein Aarseth ("Euronymous") by former bassist Varg Vikernes ("Count Grishnackh") of Burzum. Mayhem released a demo and an EP that gained influence and attracted a devoted following, partly due to their notorious live shows and connections with the series of Norwegian church burnings and incidents of violence. The band disbanded temporarily after Aarseth's murder, shortly before releasing their debut album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, which is regarded as a classic of black metal. In 1995, surviving members Jan Axel Blomberg ("Hellhammer"), Jørn Stubberud ("Necrobutcher"), and Sven Erik Kristiansen ("Maniac") reformed the band, with Rune Eriksen ("Blasphemer") replacing Aarseth. Later, Attila Csihar and Morten Iversen ("Teloch") replaced Kristiansen and Eriksen, respectively. Their later work has been characterized by increased experimentation.