MAYHEM IN CONCERT:
When it comes to macabre black metal spectacle, few bands hold a candle to legendary Norwegian group Mayhem. From their savage sound to their necrophilic stage design, these guys deliver one heck of a blood-curdling show, and their commitment to spectacle extends right down to their names -- frontman Attila issues his brutal screams from behind a veil of matted hair and costume blood as drummer Hellhammer and bassist Necrobutcher whip fans into a frenzy with breakneck tempos. Rounding out the scene are Teloch and Morfeus, two formidable guitar gods whose blistering riffs drive brutal cuts like "My Death" and "Freezing Moon" home. Mayhem has stayed true to their name for more than two decades with maniacal performances on tour, and ticket buyers lucky enough to attend one of their upcoming shows can expect them to deliver their sets in top form.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Pioneering black metal band Mayhem was formed in Norway in 1984 by bassist Jorn Stubberud (Necrobutcher) and guitarist Oystein Aarseth (Euronymous). The band's early days were characterized by a constantly rotating lineup that included lead vocalist Maniac, who appeared on Mayhem's 1987 debut album Deathcrush, and legendary frontman Dead, who headed the band from 1988-1991. Dead's obsession with death played a huge role in the development of the band's morbid themes and visual style, but his preoccupation with darkness ultimately led to his demise -- in 1991 he killed himself in a house owned and occupied by the band. The tragedy didn't end there -- bassist Necrobutcher left the band due to his grief over the suicide, and in 1993 his replacement Varg Vikernes murdered founding guitarist Euronymous over a contract dispute. In the wake of the murder Mayhem ceased to exist for much of 1994, but the following year Hellhammer and Necrobutcher got the group back together with former lead singer Maniac at the helm. The group preleased two albums under that configuration -- 2000's Grand Declaration of War and 2004's Chimera -- before Maniac was replaced with current lead vocalist Attila Csihar in 2007.Since then the group has remained true to their black metal sound and iconic image, releasing two critically acclaimed albums and delivering uncompromisingly brutal shows to devoted fans around the world.
