The Death Archives: Mayhem 1984-94

Jørn ‘Necrobutcher’ Stubberud

Fascinating insight into black metal’s most infamous band. Murder. Suicide. Church burnings. All of that has been associated with Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. Their story has been sensationalised to such an extent that myth has taken over

from the facts. Now, ‘Necrobutcher’, the band’s bassist, puts the record straight with The Death Archives.

This is essentially a photo book, featuring loads of unseen shots, with text from the author giving his insight into Mayhem’s career and development. He provides personal, believable recollections of what really happened, but does it with such a sense of perspective that it makes the suicide of vocalist Dead and the murder of guitarist Øystein ‘Euronymous’ Aareseth even more shocking, because of the factual basis.

This is a brilliant presentation of the realities behind the infamy, and it makes you appreciate what Mayhem have achieved.