> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thisdayinmetal.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Embracing the Great, Eternal Peace: An Interview with Attila Csihar (Mayhem) - URL: https://www.thisdayinmetal.com/embracing-the-great-eternal-peace-an-interview-with-attila-csihar-mayhem/ - Published: 2026-01-07T21:00:50.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-07T21:00:50.000Z - Author: Ed Hackimer - Tags: Interviews, #interviews, Mayhem, Attila Csihar, Euronymous, Necrobutcher, Hellhammer The concept of death and **Mayhem** have been intertwined since most of the world first learned about them. It’s been an integral part of the black metal pioneers’ story that has become so synonymous with the group that for a long time, it overshadowed their actual music, as many of the infamous events the world came to know them for occurred prior to the band actually releasing a full-length album. One of those tragedies was the suicide of frontman **Pelle Yngve “Dead” Ohlin**, which is what ultimately led **Attila Csihar** to travel from his native Hungary to Norway to join **Mayhem** to record vocals for what would become one of the most influential black metal releases of all time – *De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/2026/01/46_artist.jpg) But before that record would see the light of day, tensions within the burgeoning black metal scene, which Mayhem was integral in creating, would reach a point of no return that led to international infamy. **Varg Vikernes** of **Burzum,** who also played bass on *De Mysteriis*, would travel to Oslo and murder **Mayhem** guitarist **Euronymous** on August 10, 1993 by stabbing him over twenty times in supposed self-defense. As news spread of the event, **Euronymous’** death brought worldwide scrutiny and examination of the Norwegian black metal scene, casting light upon other crimes committed by members of its so-called Inner Circle, which included murder and serial church burnings. Ironically, founding bassist **Necrobutcher**, who left **Mayhem** after **Dead’s** suicide based on how **Euronymous** publicized it, would end up rejoining and restarting the group following a discussion with drummer **Hellhammer** at the guitarist’s funeral. The two began speaking again about how to proceed with releasing the album in the coming year, reunited again due to death. Finally, after ten years together, *De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas* finally saw the light of day in May 1994 as the group’s first full length LP. While all of this was happening, **Attila** heard nothing from the band. He eventually was told second-hand about what had occurred, and unbeknownst to him, **Mayhem** had reformed with former singer **Maniac** on vocals. Upon establishing contact with his former bandmates during a tour in 1998, it was agreed upon that **Attila** would return to the band if the opportunity ever presented itself, which it did by 2004. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/2026/01/a1489287945_10.jpg) Now, after 40-plus years in existence and several studio albums that have followed their elusive first, **Mayhem** are back with *Liturgy of Death*, which thoroughly examines a topic that has been so prevalent and attached to the band throughout its existence. Ahead of its release, I had a chance to talk to **Attila** about a number of topics, including: - the lyrical theme for the new album, why it was time to tackle death at this point of his career, the beliefs that informed his philosophy, and some deep metaphysical pondering about the universe. - the intention of references like “dead church burn” and “deathlike silence” to the group's controversial past, the religious language used in the lyrics and their significance, and opinions about embracing death as an inevitability. - **Mayhem’s** 40th anniversary tour, playing with **Dead’s** original band **Morbid** in Stockholm, musings about why **Dead** joined **Mayhem**, and an upcoming **Tormentor** and **Morbid** show on Friday the 13th of next year. - his initial reasons for going to Norway from Hungary when joining the band, any apprehension he had about entering the Norwegian black metal scene, his thoughts on **Euronymous** and **Varg**, and the recording of the legendary *De Mysteriis*. - the long path he took back to reuniting with **Mayhem** in 2004, how he feels *Liturgy of Death* adds to **Mayhem’s** legacy, reflections on the group’s history, and how long he feels they can continue. You can view the entire interview **HERE**: --- It was a great thrill for me to speak with a true black metal legend like **Attila**, and he was more than gracious with his time. Listening to him speak about his creative process surrounding this album, and listening to the end result, he poured over this testament to finality with painstaking detail to deliver perhaps the best lyrical and vocal performance of his career. In listening to *Liturgy of Death,* it’s clear that **Mayhem** put an incredible effort into producing one of their best studio recordings to date, further proving their musical acumen to the world that first learned of them from everything else besides it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/2026/01/image.jpeg) Or, as **Attila** said to me, very apropos to his theme … the album is “a crown on the corpse of **Mayhem**.” --- You can pre-order **Mayhem's** seventh studio album, *Liturgy of Death,* at the link below. The first two singles, "Weep for Nothing" and "Despair" are out now on all major streaming platforms, with "Life Is A Corpse You Drag" set to be released this Friday, January 9th. [Pre-order Mayhem's "Liturgy of Death"](https://centurymedia.store/collections/mayhem?ref=thisdayinmetal.com) **Mayhem** will embark on the **Death Over Europe Tour** in February with **Marduk** and **Immolation** to coincide with the album's release. Ticket information is available below. [Live – The True Mayhem![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The True Mayhem![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/thumbnail/000000-0.png)](https://www.thetruemayhem.com/live/?ref=thisdayinmetal.com)