Mayhem backstage at the Key Club in Hollywood on July 22, 2000. Click on any photo to see more pictures from this photoshoot (5) as well as some live shots (14).
Arguably the most controversial band in the history of metal is Norway's godfathers of black metal, Mayhem. The band is in the midst of only their second US tour (information about the upcoming date in St. Paul is below), and I had the chance to see Mayhem twice on their 2000 tour to support their unconventional Grand Declaration Of War album. On tour with Hate Eternal and Exhumed, they played at Brick By Brick in San Diego on July 21, 2000. One sour note about this show was that the drummer from Hate Eternal had a couple thousand dollars worth of cymbals stolen that night. Another is that I can't see to find any of my pictures! Alas, I was fortunate enough to catch them the next night in Hollywood at the Key Club. Mayhem's set was identical both nights, but they kept everyone happy by mixing in a fair amount of old material with a generous helping of Grand Declaration Of War. I made arrangements to meet up with Mayhem before the Hollywood show where I took these group shots backstage at the Key Club. Everyone in the band was as nice as could be, if a bit quiet and reserved. The rest of the pictures were taken from the Hollywood show. This lineup of the band featured Maniac (vocals), Hellhammer (drums), Necrobutcher (bass), and Blasphemer (guitar).
Hellhammer and Necrobutcher are in the current incarnation, rejoined by vocalist Attila Csihar and new guitarists Morfeus and Teloch. Anyone with a passionate or passive interest in black metal should get out to see Mayhem.
Mayhem performs Monday, November 14 at Station 4 in St. Paul with support from Keep Of Kalessin, Hate, Abigail Williams, and Woe.
