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Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo. It is one of the most influential and controversial bands of the genre, being considered one of the pillars of the second wave of Norwegian black metal, which emerged in the early 90s. The band's history is marked by tragedy, controversy and a deep musical influence that helped define black metal as a dark and extreme genre.

The band's original line-up included Euronymous (Øystein Aarseth) on guitar, Necrobutcher (Jørn Stubberud) on bass, and Manheim (Kjetil Haraldsson) on drums. In the early years, Mayhem released a series of demos and the EP Deathcrush (1987), which quickly became an underground classic. The band's sound was raw and brutal, marked by lo-fi production and an intense atmosphere.

The most controversial and tragic point in the band's history began with the entry of Dead (Per Yngve Ohlin) as lead singer in 1988. Dead had a deranged personality and was obsessed with death, frequently performing live performances that included self-harm. In 1991, Dead committed suicide, an event that deeply impacted the band and spawned a number of myths surrounding Mayhem. Euronymous found Dead's body and, instead of calling the police immediately, took photos, one of which was later used as the cover of a live bootleg. It is also said that fragments of Dead's skull were used to make necklaces, something that contributed to the macabre aura surrounding the band.

After Dead's death, bassist Necrobutcher left the band, but Euronymous decided to continue with Mayhem. It was during this period that Varg Vikernes (also known as Count Grishnackh) of the band Burzum joined the band as a bassist. In 1993, the Norwegian black metal scene was shaken again when Vikernes murdered Euronymous, an event that led to Vikernes' arrest and marked the end of an era for Mayhem.

Despite the tragedies and controversies, Mayhem released their first full-length album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, in 1994. This album is widely considered one of the most important in the history of black metal, defining the sound of the genre with its dark atmosphere, cold riffs and skeletal production. Varg Vikernes played bass on the album despite his arrest, and his participation was the source of much controversy.

In the following years, Mayhem went through several lineup changes, but continued to release albums and influence the global black metal scene. Albums such as Grand Declaration of War (2000), Ordo Ad Chao (2007), and Daemon (2019) showcase the band's evolution, exploring new musical directions while maintaining the intensity and darkness that define Mayhem's sound.

Mayhem continues to be one of the most notorious and influential bands in black metal, both for their music and their troubled legacy. The band is often cited as one of the driving forces behind the second wave of black metal and is revered for its contribution to the genre, despite its history tainted by violence and controversy.