Few bands have a history as disturbing as Mayhem, the Norwegian group that helped define second-wave black metal. Formed in 1984 by Øystein Aarseth (Euronymous), Jørn Stubberud (Necrobutcher) and Kjetil Manheim, Mayhem initially built its identity around deliberately extreme music, Satanic and anti-Christian imagery, corpse paint and the desire to push metal beyond what audiences considered acceptable.
Mayhem became the prime example of when an aesthetic or image goes too far, to the point where it leads to actual harm or violence rather than theatrical shock value. Euronymous is one of the main figures in this story, as his Oslo record store, Helvete, became a meeting point for a small circle of Norwegian black-metal musicians, including Varg Vikernes of Burzum.
Euronymous promoted an uncompromising vision of black metal built around misanthropy, Satanism, and opposition to Christianity, which helped fuel a growing competition within the scene over who could appear more dangerous or “evil.” This aesthetic gradually shifted to real acts of crime and violnce as members and associates of the scene became connected to assaults, murder, and a wave of church arsons across Norway.
The church burnings became the most notorious symbol of the movement. Beginning in 1992, historic Norwegian churches were destroyed in a series of arson attacks that some participants framed as retaliation against Christianity and the destruction of Norway’s pre-Christian traditions. Varg Vikernes was ultimately convicted in connection with multiple church arsons, while other figures within the black-metal scene were also imprisoned for similar crimes.
Before the church burnings, Mayhem still had a very devastating history involving their vocalist, Per Yngve Ohlin, known as Dead, who was essential to the black metal image. In April 1991, at only 22 years old, Dead died by suicide at the house where members of Mayhem were staying. When Euronymous discovered him, he notoriously photographed the scene before authorities arrived.
The escalation eventually consumed Euronymous himself, leading to the falling out between Euronymous and his bassist, Varg Vikernes. On August 10, 1993, Varg killed Euronymous at his apartment building in Oslo. Mayhem’s story became one of the darkest and most infamous stories in music history, but it also served as an example of what can happen when aesthetics are taken too seriously and become real acts of violence and terror in an attempt to uphold an image.
By Ed Roobi