Mayhem Biography, Discography.

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Style: Black Metal
Year of birth: 1984
Country: Norway
Views: 9045. Updated: 14 August, 2005 by Project Moderators

Biography of Band

MAYHEM was formed in 1984 by Euronymous (guitars / vocals), Manheim (drums) and Necrobutcher (bass / vocals). It took them two years for the first demo Pure Fucking Armageddon to be released. Although the perception of the demo was rather negative, MAYHEM recorded Deathcrush in 1987 and released the recordings as a limited edition LP on their own label Posercorps and later again on their own label Deathlike Silence Productions. The vocals on Deathcrush were now done by the new member Maniac. The extremity of this release created a cult status in the metal underground; many now appreciated MAYHEM's raw brutality.

Shortly after the release of Deathcrush, Maniac and Manheim left the band. Vocalist Dead (MORBID) and current drummer Hellhammer were then brought into MAYHEM. Dead's influences guided MAYHEM deep down the dark paths, conceptually and ideologically speaking. His voice set a new standard for extreme metal. However, only two studio tracks were recorded featuring Dead, both for compilation CD's. Beside that, he appears on Live In Leipzig, together with Necrobutcher, Euronymous and Hellhammer. The recordings of this album were taken during MAYHEM's tour in Germany. After this tour Dead committed suicide. Hereafter Necrobutcher decided to leave the band.

The tour and era marked the beginning of the Norwegian Black Metal scene as it is known today, influencing bands such as EMPEROR, DARKTHRONE, IMMORTAL, ENSLAVED and many others.

Euronymous and Hellhammer were now the only two members left, ready to record the debut album De Mysteriis Dom Santhanas, but without singer and bass player. For the recordings of the album Count Grishnack (BURZUM) played bass and Antilla took care of the vocals. Beside that, Blackthorn (THORNS) stepped in as a second guitarist during this time. Both he and Grishnack added new dimensions of atmosphere to the already cold and calculated MAYHEM sound. De Mysteriis Dom Santhanas was released in 1993.

After the murder of Euronymous and the subsequent arrest of Grishnack, Hellhammer decided to continue MAYHEM. Both Necrobutcher and Maniac rejoined the band, and Blasphemer was chosen as the new guitarist. After several years of silence, a follow up of the studio album was finally released. In 1997 the MCD Wolf's Lair Abyss hit the market. The MCD was the answer to Deathcrush; brutal, raw and evil, while De Mysteriis Dom Santhanas was an innovative album that set new standards in the world of metal. And this is exactly what Grand Declaration of War will do as well !

In 1999 the second live CD was released, Mediolanum Capta Est.

Grand Declaration of War
Back in 1993, the release of De Mysteriis Dom Santhanas created quite a shock, for most people it took a while to get acquainted with the atmosphere, the inhuman vocals, etc. While now it's considered as one of, or even the masterpiece of the Black Metal genre. De Mysteriis Dom Santhanas was one thing for sure : ahead of its time. The result of a long and painful gestation.

Now in 2000 we can write the more things change, the more they stay the same. Who expected MAYHEM to do as they did (and what now is being done) can't be more wrong. The band sets new standards again : music wise, but also production wise, this while remaining faithful to their musical style.

The album's first part (named Part II) takes off where Wolf's Lair Abyss ended. The same riff is used, evolving into a more technical and insane way. The destruction concludes within the fifth track. Hereafter the recreation takes off, beginning without instruments, like a void, like the emptiness of a battlefield without any warriors left. From the ruins, the recreation will start. MAYHEM's concept might be applied to the Black Metal genre as well : Part II can well be the ultimate piece of the genre, while from the ashes a new genre is created.

Members of Mayhem

Current Members:
Rune Erickson (Blasphemer). In Band at: 1994 - . Role: Guitars
Side projects: Aura Noir, Bloodlust, Eibon, Testimony
Attila Csihar. In Band at: 2004 - . Role: Vocals
Side projects: Aborym, Anaal Nathrakh, Finnugor, Kaos Logic, Keep Of Kalessin, Korog, Limbonic Art, Northpole, Plasma Pool, Tormentor
Jorn Stubberud (Necrobutcher). In Band at: 1984 - . Role: Bass, Vocals
Side projects: Kvikksolvguttene, Bloodthorn
Jan Axel Blomberg (Hellhammer). In Band at: 1987 - . Role: Drums
Side projects: Arcturus, Emperor, Immortal, The Kovenant, Mortem, Shining, Thorns, Troll, Ulver, Winds
Past Members:
Kjetil. Period: 1984 - 1988. Role: Drums
Varg Vikernes (Count Grishnackh) (Guest). Role: Bass on De Mysteriis
Side projects: Burzum, Old Funeral, Satanel
Sven Erik Kristiansen (Maniac). Period: 1986 - 2004. Role: Vocals
Side projects: Eibon, Hae, Voluspa, Wurdulak
?ystein Aarseth (Euronymous). Period: 1984 - 1993. Role: Guitars, Vocals
Per Yngve Ohlin (Death). Period: 1988 - 1991. Role: Vocals
Side projects: Morbid
Stian Johansen (Occultus). Period: 1991 - 1991. Role: Vocals, Bass
Side projects: Con Anima, Einar Grimm Group, Perdition Hearse, Pussycunts, Shadow Dancers, Soul Transition, Thy Abhorrent
Eirik Nordheim (Messiah) (Guest). Period: 1986 - 1987. Role: Vocals
Side projects: Impostor, Within` Range, Cockroach Clan
Snorre Ruch (Blackthorn) (Guest). Role: Guitars on De Mysteriis
Side projects: Satyricon, Thorns
Øyvind H?geland (Guest). Role: Vocals
Side projects: Arcturus, Lunaris, Manitou, Spiral Architect
Alexander Nordgaren (Guest). Role: Guitars on tour
Side projects: Fleurety

Discography

Demo: Pure Fucking Armageddon (1986) Tracklist.
Lineup: Euronymous - Guitar, Vocals, Necrobutcher - Bass, Manheim - Drums
Comment: Includes the five tracks from the first demo (Voice of a Tortured Soul) on
side Fuck, and four more from a rehearsal (PFA rehearsel) on side Off.

This is a re-release of the original PFA demo from 1986. It is an official
release, but please do not confuse it with the limited edition.

Also released with "Deathcrush" EP in a single disc
entitled "Mayhem: A True Legend Of Black"
Demo: Voice of a Tortured Skull (1986) Tracklist.
Lineup: Euronymous - Guitar, Necrobutcher - Bass, Manheim - Drums
Comment: This is the first demo, which was later put together with PFA rehearsel to create the PFA demo.
Demo: Pure Fucking Armageddon Rehearsal (1986) Tracklist.
Comment: Also available on side 'Off' (as opposed to side 'Fuck') on the 1990 re-release
of the Pure Fucking Armageddon demo.
Demo: Deathrehearsal (1987) Tracklist.
Comment: 1-4 Side A
5-11 Side B
EP: Deathcrush (1987) Tracklist.
Lineup: Euronymous - guitar, Necrobutcher - bass, Manheim - drums, Maniac - vocals, Messiah - session vocals
Comment: �Posercorpse: 1987 [official release ltd.ed. tape/1000 lp]
�Deathlike Silence Prod.: 1993 [cd/lp]
�Posercorpse Music Inc.: 1998 [ltd.ed. 1000 vinyl picture discs]
�GMR Music: 2003 [ltd.ed. 1000 vinyl picture discs]

The tape release has a different cover.

On some editions, "(Weird) Manheim" and "Pure Fucking Armageddon" are combined
into one track.

The outro only appeared on the original demo tape, original LP and 1998 picture
LP. It can also be downloaded via the band's official website.
Live LP: Live in Leipzig (1993) Tracklist.
Lineup: Dead - Vocals, Euronymous - Guitar, Necrobutcher - Bass, Hellhammer - Drums
Comment: Recorded in November 26, 1990, but only release in '93.

�Obscure Plasma Records: 1993 [ltd.ed. 1000 w/inner sleeve]
�Obscure Plasma Records: 1993 [slightly different cover]
�Hellion Records: 1994
�Avantgarde/Century Media: 1994 [cd/lp]
�Avantgarde/Century Media: 1996 [digipak cd]
�Last Episode: 1997 [ltd.ed. vinyl picture disc]

Legendary, yet roughly produced live album. The gig featured heavy atmospheric
effects such as severed pig heads impaled on wooden spikes. The band's clothes
were decayed and soiled. Pieces of rotting meat were thrown into the audience
and given to people. Dead Ravens were placed in bags so band members could
continually smell decay and death. Dead also was noted on slicing himself open
during the show.
Tracks 10-11 are only available on the original LP. Taken from the CBR "Projections Of A
Stained Mind" compilation. Both tracks feature Dead on vocals. Later on, they
appeared on the split with Meads of Asphodel.
CD: Lord Satan's Secret Rites (De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas) (1994) Tracklist.
Lineup: Euronymous - Guitars, Varg Vikernes - Bass, Hellhammer - Drums, Attila Csihar - Vocals
Comment: The murder of Euronymous by Varg happened right before the initial release of
the CD. Accordingly, the family of Euronymous asked Hellhammer to remove all
bass lines from the album, because Varg's contribution doesn't deserve to be on
the CD. Hellhammer promised that he would replace bass lines with his own, but
he didn't know how to play bass. So the CD was left with Varg's basslines,
just not heard as well as all the other instruments because of it being
lowered. All the CD's contain on the back "A Tribute To Euronymous" with promo
photos of only Euronymous and Hellhammer. It doesn't show anyone else as being
held responsible for the recording of the album other than them two.
LP: Dawn of the Black Hearts (1995) Tracklist.
Comment: This is the only bootleg allowed in the Metal Archives because of it's notorious
historical content.

Originally released on LP by Mauricio "Bull Metal" Montoya (R.I.P) who played
in Masacre and was also the owner of Warmaster records in Colombia. The
original version has golden letters on the cover and was limited to 300 copies.
Ilegally reissued many times afterwards, making it one of the most bootlegged
albums in the whole metal history.

Tracks 1 through 8: Live in Sarpsborg 1990

Tracks 1-8 Lineup:
Euronymous-guitar
Necrobutcher-bass
Hellhammer-drums
Dead-vocals

Tracks 9 through 12: Live in Lillehammer 1986

Tracks 9-12 Lineup:
Euronymous-guitar
Maniac-vocals
Necrobutcher-bass
Manheim-drums
EP: Out From The Dark (1996) Tracklist.
Lineup: Euronymous - guitar, Dead - vocals, Hellhammer - drums, Necrobutcher - bass
Comment: This was the last rehearsal with Dead.
This was released in both gold & red vinyl. Red vinyl was limited to 800 copies
and gold vinyl was limited to 1000 copies.
These seven tracks were also featured on the "In Memorium" bootleg CD
rerelease.
Single: Freezing Moon (1996) Tracklist.
Lineup: Euronymous - guitar, Dead - vocals, Necrobutcher - bass, Hellhammer - drums
Comment: Tracks taken from the CBR Projections Of A Stained Mind compilation.
EP: Wolf`s Lair Abyss (1997) Tracklist.
Lineup: Maniac - Vocals, Blasphemer - Guitar, Necrobutcher - Bass, Hellhammer - Drums
Comment: The first track was not included on the promo CD.
Split: Necrolust / Total Warfare (1999) Tracklist.
Lineup: Mayhem, Zyklon-B
Comment: Picture 7'' EP limited to 1000 copies. On the cover is Samoth.
Single: Ancient Skin/Necrolust (1999) Tracklist.
Lineup: Maniac - Vocals, Blasphemer - Guitar, Necrobutcher - Bass, Hellhammer - Drums
Comment: Few version of this release exists: I have heared about 2: miniCD and 7" vinyl
single. CD version is handnumered, lmited to 500 pcs and comes in plastic
sleeve with band logo on it. Vinyl version is limited also, probably to 550
pcs. Vinyl bootlegs pressed on red, transparent vinyl also exists
Live: Mediolanum Capta Est (1999) Tracklist.
Lineup: Maniac - Vocals, Blasphemer - Guitar, Necrobutcher - Bass, Hellhammer - Drums
Comment: Attila Csihar does guest vocals on From the Dark Past.
CD: Grand Declaration of War (2000) Tracklist.
Lineup: Maniac - Vocals, Blasphemer - Guitar, Necrobutcher - Bass, Hellhammer - Drums
Comment: This is Mayhem's more "experimental album," incorperating clean vocals (almost
sounding like Maniac is speaking in certain parts) and sound effects/industrial
tones.
Compilation: European Legions (2001) Tracklist.
Comment: Tracks 1-7 recorded live
Tracks 8-12 pre-production tracks from Grand Declaration Of War sessions
Compilation: U.S. Legions (2001) Tracklist.
Comment: Tracks 1-7 recorded live
Tracks 8-12 pre-production tracks from "Grand Declaration of War" sessions
Live: Live in Marseille (2001) Tracklist.
Lineup: Maniac - Vocals, Blasphemer - Guitar, Necrobutcher - Bass, Hellhammer - Drums
Comment: Limited to 500 copies.
Split: Jihad/Freezing Moon (2002) Tracklist.
Lineup: Meads of Asphodel, Mayhem
Comment: Tracks 5 and 6 are only available on the cd version.
Boxed Set: The Studio Experience (2002) Tracklist.
Comment: Vinyl box set, contains 4 LP's and a 7" (Freezing Moon/Carnage, studio versions
with Dead on vocals) in embossed black sleeves.
Compilation: Legions Of War (2003) Tracklist.
Comment: Contains both Grand Declaration of War and European Legions.
CD: Chimera (2004) Tracklist.
Lineup: Maniac - Vocals, Blasphemer - Guitar, Necrobutcher - Bass, Hellhammer - Drums


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