By Daniel Rutledge
Controversial metal group Mayhem is playing its first ever New Zealand gig later this year and a group advocating family values is not happy.
The band is considered to be one of the most important in the influential Norwegian black metal scene, gaining notoriety early in their career with violent stage shows, the singer committing suicide and the bass player being found guilty of murder and church burnings.
Family First NZ says Mayhem should be avoided.
“Any band that glorifies issues such as drug use, suicide, and negative behaviours associated with Satanism should be given a wide berth,” Bob McCoskrie of Family First NZ told 3news.co.nz.
“We would ask that the censorship board do a pre-approval of their performance and lyrics to ensure they’re not breaking the law in encouraging illegal activity and containing offensive material.”
3news.co.nz spoke to concert promoter Gareth Craze of RW Entertainment about the show, which takes place at the Kings Arms Tavern, September 21:
Given the band's notorious history, are you at all concerned with bringing them to New Zealand?
"Not at all. That's what public liability insurance is for."
Mayhem have performed controversial, violent live shows - should people be concerned for their safety if they attend the Auckland gig?
"Absolutely. If there is one show this year where one can reasonably expect one's safety to be compromised by the performing act, this is the one. With the history this band have, it would be flat out ludicrous for one to attend this show with an expectation of being safe, unmolested and unsubjected to offence."
What can fans look forward to at Mayhem's first ever New Zealand show?
"Intense theatrics, spellbinding lights and a fearsome dose of relentless sonic violence set to Satan's own soundtrack. These guys are masters of their craft and 25-odd year veterans for good reason."
Mayhem’s 1994 album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is widely regarded as one of the black metal genre’s greatest masterpieces, however its release was extremely troubled.
Work on the album began in the late ‘80s, but was halted when singer Dead committed suicide in 1991 by shooting himself in the head. Band mate and Mayhem founder Euronymous took photos of Dead’s body before calling the police, and allegedly made a stew with pieces of Dead’s brain, and necklaces with fragments of his skull.
In 1993 Euronymous was stabbed to death by Mayhem’s bass player at the time, Varg Vikernes, who performs as solo act Burzum to this day. Vikernes was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the murder, and was also found guilty of a string of arson attacks on Norwegian churches.
Mayhem’s lyrics focus on Satan, darkness, evil, depression and violence, while their stage shows have included pig heads impaled on stakes and band members cutting themselves with broken glass and knives.
They have also faced controversy for reportedly using Nazi imagery and making racist statements.
The current band line-up features founding member Necrobutcher, along with Atilla Csihar and Hellhammer, who both joined during the recording of De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas.
Tickets to Mayhem's Auckland show can be purchased online at undertheradar.co.nz.
3 News