Band: MAYHEM
Country of origin: Norway
Style: black metal
Questions by: Kai Mathias Stalhammar and a couple of "passers-by"
Answers supplied by the whole band

Please, note that this interview doesn't really represent 100% direct communication. My questions were translated into Norwegian, then the guys' answers - back into Russian, and finally I translated the whole thing into English.

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The rumors say it's going to be your last tour, after which MAYHEM stops to exist. Is that true, and in case the answer is "yes", what are the reasons causing the band's departure?

Necrobutcher: Actually, I suggest you to ask Season Of Mist this question. We never thought of stopping our activities with the band. Currently we're working on our new album ("Chimera" - ED), so as you see, these rumors make absolutely no sense.

Generally speaking, what's your prognosis of the future of black metal, be there MAYHEM or not?

Blasphemer: Metal was, is and definitely will be. I think it will grow bigger day by day... Probably the world's dying - thanks god for that - and, therefore, such music keeps on evolving.

And what about introduction of so-called "unorthodox" instruments to metal music? Piano, violins and alike instruments often appear as inalienable part of extreme music styles nowadays...

- As a matter of fact, it doesn't depend on the instruments you use, but on the feelings musician attempts to transmit. But, of course, there must be a METAL feeling in first turn... if it's still a metal music, of course.

What's your, guys, attitude to Hellhammer's participation in THE KOVENANT, the band usually despised by those who value so-called "true black metal" most?

Necrobutcher: It's not a problem at all, mostly because MAYHEM always was and still is the top priority to everyone of us - including Hellhammer. Like number 1, you know. Although, I guess I have to admit that, when he works with other bands, he doesn't turn out pot-boilers; on the contrary - he does his best... always. Yes, Hellhammer is THE KOVENANT's full-time member, but fortunately, that band doesn't mean to him as much as MAYHEM does.

Don't you think that black metal gained it's popularity mostly due to what happened in early nineties; all that ballyhoo mass-media made up of arsons, grave violations and the murder of Euronymous? I mean, if it didn't happen, BM most likely would have been completely different...

- Yes, there's some truth in it. A lot of people, those who previously hadn't even heard about black metal, grew interested in it. But what's most important, half of this fucking world finally learned that Norway isn't a capital of Sweden, but an independent country! (*all laugh*)

This one's for Maniac: what do all these scars your hands are covered with, signify? Do you find a special kind of pleasure in self-mutilation?

Maniac: Firstly, I scar myself only when I'm a part of MAYHEM, and secondly, this "self-mutilation" as you call it, takes place when I feel reality approaches me too near. TOO near.

But isn't there any definite goal, or is it just your way to splash out everything that's negative from inside of you?

Maniac: I do it for my own pleasure and, honestly speaking, don't really care about what others may think about it...

Hmm... But wouldn't it be better to abstract yourself from all this crap in a different way, to listen to some music, for instance...? By the way, do you listen to any music while being at home?

Blasphemer: Yeah, sure! - MAYHEM! (*laughs*)
Maniac: *grim and silent*

Formerly (although I doubt if anything changed drastically throughout years) MAYHEM seemed to be a distinctive brain- and inspirational centre to many-many Norwegian musicians. How do you, now - after many years have passed - value your part: were you regular observers, clandestine leaders or casual "fellow-travellers"?

- (*long silence*) Well, we were the first ones to play black metal in Norway, so everyone who came up with the same kind of music afterwards, is only a follower...

Speaking about the roots of black metal, what's your attitude to VENOM?

Necrobutcher: I became their fan right after the first LP - it was something totally new back then, something no one ever heard and didn't even expect to hear. As to when it comes to music and parallels between VENOM and black metal, in fact there're NO parallels I could ever draw. VENOM is a great rock'n'roll band - that's my point. Previously rock'n'roll was a form of rebellion against society and conventional norms, now it's given up it's place to black metal... and besides that, these genres don't have anything in common.

A couple of years ago, Conrad Lant (VENOM's Cronos - ED) stated that if those who take part in black metal act can't distance their image and behavior on stage and in real life, they're simply of unsound mind...

- We're not of unsound mind... we're BEYOND insanity (*laughs*)

What was the most dear gift you were ever presented by a MAYHEM's fan?

- Well... We were really touched, when - during this tour - a fan in Stockholm severely cut his belly...

Erh... what's your impression of Moscow? Do you expect anyone here to do the same thing that Swedish chap did?

- Well, we bought some pirate t-shirts, matreshkas (wooden doll in peasant dress with successively smaller ones fitted therein - ED), and are fucking pleased with that.

I guess you have to earn a shitload of money in order to buy all this ;))... Do you work anywhere?

Necrobutcher: No. MAYHEM pays all bills. If we couldn't get enough money off our activities with the band, I guess we then had to become criminals (*grins*)

Have you heard any Russian bands?

Maniac: Only GORKY PARK. Besides that, I have that old "Red Wave" compilation at home…