is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo. Formed in 1984, the group originally included guitarist Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth, bassist Jørn "Necrobutcher" Stubberud and drummer Kjetil Manheim. In 1985 the group added Eirik "Messiah" Norheim as its first vocalist, before he was replaced by Sven Erik "Maniac" Kristiansen the next year. After releasing their first EP Deathcrush in 1987, both Maniac and Manheim left Mayhem. The departed members were briefly replaced by Kittil Kittilsen and Torben Grue, before Per "Dead" Ohlin and Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg took over in late 1988. This lineup of the group recorded several live albums – Live in Leipzig, Dawn of the Black Hearts, Live in Leitz and Live in Jessheim – as well as their second full demo Out from the Dark, which was released in 1996. On 8 April 1991, Dead committed suicide at a house shared with Euronymous and Hellhammer. Due to the singer's death, and the guitarist's subsequent actions, Necrobutcher left Mayhem. Stian "Occultus" Johansen briefly joined after Dead's suicide on vocals and bass. Between 1992 and 1993, Mayhem recorded their debut full-length studio album with vocalist Attila Csihar and bassist Varg "Count Grishnackh" Vikernes. On 10 August 1993, Vikernes murdered Euronymous after a struggle between the two which resulted in the bassist fatally stabbing the guitarist. Vikernes spent 16 years in prison for the murder of Euronymous. Mayhem subsequently broke up, with their debut studio album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas released the following year and dedicated to the memory of Euronymous. In 1995, Mayhem reformed with new guitarist Rune "Blasphemer" Eriksen joining vocalist Maniac, bassist Necrobutcher and drummer Hellhammer. The group's lineup remained stable for nine years, before Maniac was replaced by a returning Csihar in November 2004. In August 2008, Blasphemer left Mayhem after 13 years with the band, with Krister "Morfeus" Dreyer taking his place a couple of months later. Silmaeth was added as a second guitarist early the following year. Silmaeth remained with the group for two years, before he was replaced by Morten Bergeton "Teloch" Iversen. Charles "Ghul" Hedger joined later as second guitarist.
