1. Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Oslo in 1984. They are considered one of the pioneering groups of the Norwegian black metal scene, and their early work has had a significant influence on the development of the genre. The band’s early history was marked by controversy, including extreme live performances, the 1991 suicide of vocalist Per Yngve Ohlin (known as “Dead”), and the 1993 murder of guitarist Øystein Aarseth (known as “Euronymous”) by former bassist Varg Vikernes (known as “Count Grishnackh”) of Burzum. The band released an early demo and the EP “Deathcrush”, which helped establish their reputation and develop a cult following. Their early live performances were sporadic and became notorious within the underground metal scene. The group also became associated, through members and scene connections, with the Norwegian black metal environment of the early 1990s, including church arsons and violent incidents, although the extent of direct involvement by the band as an institution varied by individual member. Mayhem temporarily disbanded following Aarseth’s murder shortly before the release of their debut album “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”, which is widely regarded as a landmark black metal album. Surviving members Jan Axel Blomberg (Hellhammer), Jørn Stubberud (Necrobutcher), and Sven Erik Kristiansen (Maniac) reformed the band in 1995, with Rune Eriksen (Blasphemer) joining as guitarist. Over time, further lineup changes brought in vocalist Attila Csihar and guitarist Morten Iversen (Teloch). The band’s post-reunion material incorporated more experimental elements, and the 2007 album “Ordo ad Chao” received the Spellemann Award for Best Heavy Metal Album. Mayhem was founded in 1984 by guitarist Øystein Aarseth, bassist and vocalist Jørn Stubberud, and drummer Kjetil Manheim. The band name was taken from the Venom song “Mayhem with Mercy”. In its early phase, the group primarily performed covers of bands such as Black Sabbath, Venom, and Motörhead before developing original material influenced by extreme metal and hardcore punk, including Venom, Slayer, Bathory, Celtic Frost, Sarcófago, Hellhammer, Amebix, and others. The band also recorded the demo “Pure Fucking Armageddon”. After early lineup changes, vocalist Sven Erik Kristiansen (Maniac) joined and appeared on the recording of the EP “Deathcrush”, released in 1987 through Euronymous’ label Posercorpse Music. The release was limited in quantity and quickly sold out, later being reissued in 1993 under Deathlike Silence Productions. During this early period, Mayhem also experimented with performance art elements under the name L.E.G.O., though this project was separate from their main output. By the late 1980s, drummer Manheim and vocalist Kristiansen had left the group. They were replaced by Swedish vocalist Per Yngve Ohlin (Dead) and drummer Jan Axel Blomberg (Hellhammer). With this lineup, Mayhem became known for highly theatrical and extreme live performances. Dead was known for wearing corpse paint and creating a stage persona intended to resemble a corpse rather than theatrical rock makeup used by earlier acts. Performances sometimes included self-harm and the use of animal heads on stage, contributing to the band’s controversial reputation. In 1990, the band moved into a shared house near Oslo to rehearse and write material for “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”. Tensions reportedly developed between members during this period. On 8 April 1991, Dead died by suicide at the residence. His body was discovered by Euronymous, who also photographed the scene. The incident had a major impact on the band and the wider scene, and Necrobutcher subsequently left the group, reducing it to a smaller core. Following Dead’s death, Euronymous continued work on “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” and recruited additional musicians for recording, including Varg Vikernes, Snorre W. Ruch (Blackthorn), and vocalist Attila Csihar. The album was recorded mainly in 1993 at Grieg Hall in Bergen. Plans associated with Euronymous and Vikernes, including discussions of destroying Nidaros Cathedral, were never carried out. On 10 August 1993, Euronymous was murdered by Varg Vikernes during a confrontation in Oslo, resulting in his death from multiple stab wounds. Vikernes claimed self-defense, while prosecutors concluded it was intentional homicide. He was later convicted of murder and involvement in church arsons and sentenced to 21 years in prison. Snorre Ruch was also convicted of complicity and received a prison sentence. Following these events, Mayhem effectively ceased activity. “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” was released in 1994 and dedicated to Euronymous. Despite internal disputes and legal issues surrounding some of the recording participants, it became one of the most influential black metal albums. In 1995, Hellhammer, Maniac, and Necrobutcher reformed Mayhem with guitarist Rune Eriksen (Blasphemer). The return of the band without Euronymous was controversial within parts of the metal community. The EP “Wolf’s Lair Abyss” was released in 1997, marking the beginning of the band’s post-reunion era. During this period, the band occasionally attracted criticism due to the use of controversial imagery and statements by members, though members also clarified that their artistic direction did not necessarily reflect consistent ideological positions. In 2000, Mayhem released “Grand Declaration of War”, a concept album with progressive and experimental elements, including spoken-word sections and unconventional song structures. In 2003, the band was involved in an incident at a concert where a fan was injured by a thrown object from the stage, though the band stated it was accidental. In 2004, the album “Chimera” was released, returning in part to a rawer black metal style. Later in 2004, vocalist Maniac left the band, reportedly due to health and performance-related issues, and Attila Csihar returned as vocalist. In 2007, Mayhem released “Ordo Ad Chao”, which featured a deliberately raw production style and unorthodox mixing choices. The album received critical recognition and won a national award in Norway. Guitarist Blasphemer left the band in 2008, after which Mayhem continued with a rotating lineup of touring musicians, including Morfeus, Silmaeth, Teloch, and others. During this period, the band continued touring internationally and faced occasional legal issues related to touring incidents. In the 2010s, Mayhem continued work on new material. The album “Esoteric Warfare” was released in 2014 after several years of production and marked a continuation of the band’s experimental approach, with Teloch becoming a permanent member. The band continued extensive touring, including co-headlining tours with other extreme metal bands such as Watain and Revenge, and later toured with Immolation and Black Anvil. A feature film about the band, “Lords of Chaos”, was released in 2018 and portrayed the early Norwegian black metal scene, though it received mixed reactions from band members and audiences regarding its historical accuracy and perspective. In 2019, Mayhem released the album “Daemon”, which incorporated both modern production and stylistic references to their early work. Several singles were released in advance of the album. In 2021, the band was inducted into the Rockheim Hall of Fame. They also released the EP “Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando”, which included previously recorded material and cover versions of punk songs, featuring guest appearances by former vocalists. In subsequent years, Mayhem continued touring internationally, including tours in North America and Europe alongside bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Gorguts, and Blood Incantation. In 2023, the live album “Daemonic Rites” was released, featuring recordings from multiple performances. In 2025, the band announced their seventh studio album “Liturgy of Death”, releasing singles including “Weep for Nothing”, “Despair”, and “Life Is a Corpse You Drag”. The album was released in February 2026 and received generally positive reviews. A supporting European tour was scheduled for 2026 alongside Marduk and Immolation. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayhem_(band) Studio albums De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994) Grand Declaration of War (2000) Chimera (2004) Ordo ad Chao (2007) Esoteric Warfare (2014) Daemon (2019) Liturgy of Death (2026) 2. Mayhem is an alias of Emma Essex whose music spans various styles including electro house, techno, and house. The project is associated with the Halley Labs label and is described as featuring a fictional female shark persona producing electro house-inspired music with chiptune and breakbeat influences. The character also appears in the game “Shark Attack”. Mayhem was one of the mascots of PSURG Design alongside Mischief, with whom she is depicted as being in a relationship. 3. Mayhem is the name of a hardcore punk band from the United Kingdom that released three 7-inch EPs: “Gentle Murder” in 1982, “Pulling Puppet Strings” in 1983, and “Bloodrush” in 1985. The band also appeared on various compilation albums, including “Riotious Assembly” and the international release “Welcome to 1984”, which featured the previously unreleased track “I Defy”. 4. Mayhem is a black metal band from Japan that released a six-track demo in 1985. 5. Mayhem is a Hungarian Venom-influenced pre-black metal and thrash metal band that released one demo in 1989. 6. Mayhem is a thrash metal band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 1983. The band released the album “Buried Alive”. 7. Mayhem was an Italian hard rock, melodic metal, and AOR band from Rome. The group was active under the name Mayhem from 1985 to 1987 before changing its name to Wildee, under which it continued until 1989 before disbanding in 1990.