Most bands lose band members due to butting heads and life on the road taking its toll, but what’s it like to be in a band whose members have been killed, committed suicide, and thrown into jail? “I don’t really think about it. This is my life. I started when I was 16, it’s just there, Mayhem has always been there.”
Despite it all, Mayhem have stood strong in the face of utterly extreme circumstances, and are now celebrating their 30th anniversary. Founding member Necrobutcher attributes the band’s longevity to their fans. “Metal followers are incredibly loyal and unified – they are the reason that we are here, that Mayhem cold survive for thirty years. It’s the fans that have kept us alive.”
Highly regarded as the pioneers of extreme metal, Mayhem are a band who have truly seen everything when it comes to heavy metal. “We were there in the birth of heavy metal, and seen how it has changed into everything it could, even at impossible angles that I would never have thought of. We are starting to see the end of the traditional instruments and combinations: everything has already been used up and it’s hard to come up with things that are new. Metal is amazing like that- As a genre it’s one of the widest and it can go in every kind of direction.” Mayhem are currently in the studio finishing up recording on their new as yet unnamed album. “We are currently laying down the final bass tracks, and then we will go in to mix the record in the next fortnight.” As for the question as to whether or not it will live up to 2007’s Ordo ad Chao, Mayhem’s highest charting album, Necrobutcher explains: “We have different members writing the songs on almost every album, so it’s always going to be different. It’s completely different to Ordo, the only thing that’s the same is Hellhammer, Attilla and myself. It’s different songwriters this time, its brand new Mayhem in the old wrapping.”
The band are known for their long breaks in between albums, and by the time the new record is released, it will be seven years since Order ad Chao. “There are lots of reasons it’s taken this long, this time it’s that the guitarist quit – that set us back.” And not all bands face the same setbacks as Mayhem as well. Necrobutcher muses: “People don’t always die in bands, that’s a huge setback. When you have been around for thirty years it’s hard to keep the band alive when people die.” He adds, “That and we are very dedicated to touring, and that gets in the way: we don’t write on tour. Lots of bands do, but we aren’t one of them. We just like to enjoy the road, to party and have a good time.”
Mayhem fans will be rewarded with the new as yet unnamed album, set for release in February 2014. Australian fans will be treated to a wide variety of songs spanning the band’s entire history, including unreleased songs from the new album on their upcoming tour. “We specifically asked to come to Australia NOW – I fucking love Australia. We are so excited to get Down Under, we love it there.”
Soundworks presents Mayhem’s 30TH ANNIVERSARY AUSTRALIAN TOUR JANUARY, 2014
MAYHEM with WATAIN and local supports performing at:
January 10th – The Hifi, Melbourne
January 11th – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
January 12th – The Hifi, Brisbane
WATAIN and local supports performing at:
January 9th – Amplifier Bar, Perth
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM:
PERTH – www.oztix.com.au / 78 Records (WATAIN ONLY, Mayhem not performing)
MELBOURNE – www.thehifi.com.au
SYDNEY – www.factorytheatre.com.au / www.ticketek.com.au
BRISBANE – www.thehifi.com.au
ALL SHOWS – www.soundworkstouring.com & www.primecuts.com.au (both paypal only)
