Francisco De Goya (1746 – 1828) biography.
A legendary act, MAYHEM need little introduction. There can only be one true original. Getting their start in 1984, Norway's MAYHEM is single-handedly responsible for creating and fostering the global Black Metal scene. MAYHEM's origins date back to the early part of the last decade in Norway, 1984. This was the classic era of Black Metal. Bands like Venom, Bathory and Hellhammer were on a crusade to desecrate the remnants of Christianity as well as the so-called musical extremes; MAYHEM joined this crusade. Two years later, in 1986, they released the "Pure Fucking Armageddon" demo, instantly joining the ranks of their forefathers, and unleashing a brutality yet unheard to the underground. A year later they would follow up with their second demo "Deathcrush", this demo was later
rereleased as a 1000 limited edition MLP by Posercorpse Records, "Deathcrush", an album that was insulted by established press, while the ever-increasing underground, celebrated in its destructive intensity is a furious metal release, that catch the attention of all the underground scene.. Then came the era of Deathlike-Silence. MAYHEM, between 1987 and 1993 underwent several changes in their line-up. Most notably in 1991, when their quite unique vocalist, Dead, committed suicide because he felt he did not belong on this earth. The suicide was shrouded in mystery, and MAYHEM's musical direction grew even darker. During this age of Deathlike Silence, ...
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rereleased as a 1000 limited edition MLP by Posercorpse Records, "Deathcrush", an album that was insulted by established press, while the ever-increasing underground, celebrated in its destructive intensity is a furious metal release, that catch the attention of all the underground scene.. Then came the era of Deathlike-Silence. MAYHEM, between 1987 and 1993 underwent several changes in their line-up. Most notably in 1991, when their quite unique vocalist, Dead, committed suicide because he felt he did not belong on this earth. The suicide was shrouded in mystery, and MAYHEM's musical direction grew even darker. During this age of Deathlike Silence, the diabolical Inner Circle formed. The Inner Circle (a/k/a The Black Metal Mafia and The Satanic Terrorists) is a tight-knit syndicate of Black Metal bands and their followers who have declared Satanic Jihad (holy war), and whom are responsible for a storm of desecrated churches, arsons, murders and assaults. While the bands of long ago sang about the destruction of the Judeo-Christian complacency, Euronymous masterminded actual militant actions. All the while, the next MAYHEM record lay waiting in the wings. The second coming of MAYHEM would make it official, the dawn of the new Black Metal age was over, for now it was time to feel the scorching heat of the noon sun. The sheer number of bootlegs released in tribute to this act, testify for their cult following. Then "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" album is a Black Metal excellent masterpiece, a definate highlight in ALL metal. MAYHEM Bursting out through the funeral fog, illuminated by the candescent freezing moon above, vengeance cries out from the grave. "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" stands as MAYHEM's final blaspheme to humanity in fitting tribute to their leader Euronymous. While founding member Euronymous was unceremoniously murdered by a jealous rival in the early 1990's (as exploited in a best-selling book), "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" (translates: Lord Satan's Secret Rites or Satanas' Mysteries), MAYHEM's first album in six years, finds Euronymous executing his crazed guitars alongside highly proficient drummer Hellhammer (of Arcturus, Kovenant and once with Mysticum,Immortal and Emperor), this time joined by session vocalist Atilla Csihar from the Hungarian band Tormentor. Originally, Count Grishnackh (Burzum's frontman) performed the bass tracks for this recording, but Euronymous' parents wanted it to be deleted. They found it too painful...You see, MAYHEM's true incarnation collapsed when Euronymous was murdered, brutally stabbed on his own doorstep in the night of August 10, 1993. Several days later, his body was found and The Count was arrested and charged with this murder. "I AM IMMORTAL...!" is like a chilling reminder on the track "Life Eternal" that this would be Euronymous' final unholy testament, but reminding that he will always be. "Whatever your viewpoint, Euronymous certainly lived his life in accordance to his beliefs. His death was harsh and brutal, which reflects perfectly on his life. Euronymous will be missed by some, but remembered by all. May his black soul burn forever in the fiery abyss," respectfully said Lee Barret in an obituary printed in Kerrang! magazine shortly after Euronymous' death. Previously there existed a balance, a line. Euronymous and his Inner Circle have crossed the line and destroyed the balance, in effect creating a new equilibrium. A place where they engulf their surroundings in undiminished, diabolical MAYHEM.
