Mayhem

Photo: Wojciech Pędzich / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

CountryNorway
Formed1984
StatusActive
GenreBlack metal
LabelCentury Media, Season of Mist

Mayhem are the Oslo band who helped create the Norwegian black metal scene, and their De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas remains one of the genre’s cornerstone records. Active since 1984, they have released seven studio albums, most recently Liturgy of Death in 2026.

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Mayhem formed in Oslo in 1984, founded by guitarist Øystein Aarseth (Euronymous), bassist Jørn Stubberud (Necrobutcher) and drummer Kjetil Manheim. They took their name from the Venom song “Mayhem with Mercy”, and the Deathcrush EP followed in 1987.

Vocalist Per Yngve Ohlin (Dead) and drummer Jan Axel Blomberg (Hellhammer) joined in 1988, and their line-up became central to the early Norwegian black metal scene. Dead died by suicide in 1991, and Euronymous was murdered by Varg Vikernes in 1993. Their debut studio album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, with Attila Csihar on vocals, was released in 1994.

Hellhammer and Necrobutcher rebuilt the band in 1995 with singer Maniac and guitarist Blasphemer, and released Grand Declaration of War (2000) and Chimera (2004). Attila Csihar returned in 2004, and Ordo ad Chao (2007) won the Spellemannprisen, the Norwegian music award, for best metal album. Guitarists Teloch and Ghul came in after Blasphemer left in 2008, and Esoteric Warfare (2014) and Daemon (2019) followed.

Their seventh studio album, Liturgy of Death, was released on 6 February 2026 through Century Media Records, produced by Tore Stjerna. They supported it with the Death Over Europe tour alongside Marduk and Immolation.

Current line-up: Attila Csihar (vocals), Teloch (guitar), Ghul (guitar), Necrobutcher (bass), Hellhammer (drums).