Euronymous

Øystein Aarseth (Norwegian: [ˈøystein ˈɔʂət]; 22 March 1968 – 10 August 1993), better known by his stage name Euronymous, was a Norwegian guitarist. Euronymous was a founder of and central figure in the early Norwegian black metal scene. He was a co-founder of the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem and was the only constant member from the band's formation in 1984 until his death in 1993. He was also founder and owner of the extreme metal record label Deathlike Silence Productions and record shop Helvete (Norwegian for "hell"). Euronymous said he was a Theistic Satanist and was known for making extreme misanthropic statements. He presented himself as leading a militant cult-like group known as the "Black Metal Inner Circle".

In August 1993, he was murdered by fellow musician Varg Vikernes.^[1]

Murder

In early 1993, there was conflict between Euronymous and Vikernes, as well as between Euronymous and the Swedish black metal scene as a whole.

On the night of 10 August 1993, Vikernes and Snorre 'Blackthorn' Ruch drove from Bergen to Euronymous' apartment at Tøyengata in Oslo. There was a confrontation and Vikernes fatally stabbed Euronymous.^[1] His body was found on the stairs outside the apartment with 23 stab wounds^[1] – two to the head, five to the neck, and 16 to the back. Euronymous' murder was initially blamed on Swedish black metallers by the media.

It has been speculated that the murder was the result of a power struggle, a financial dispute over Burzum records, or an attempt at "outdoing" the stabbing in Lillehammer.

Discography

Euronymous played guitar on the following albums except where noted, any additional instruments or credits in notes.

Band	Title	Recorded	Released	Notes
Mayhem	Pure Fucking Armageddon	1985	1985
Checker Patrol	Metalion in the Park	1986	1986
Mayhem	Deathrehearsal	1987	1987
Mayhem	Deathcrush	1987	1987
Mayhem	Live in Leipzig	1990	1993
Burzum	Burzum	1992	1992	Producer. Guitar solo on "War" and Gong on "Dungeons of Darkness" only. Uncredited.
Burzum	Det som Engang var	1992	1993	Gong on "Den onde kysten" only. Uncredited.
Mayhem	Dawn of the Black Hearts	1990	1995	Posthumous. Cover art photograph.
Mayhem	Freezing Moon/Carnage	1990	1996	Posthumous.
Mayhem	Out from the Dark	1991	1995	Posthumous.
Mayhem	De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas	1992–1993	1994	Posthumous.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "'Before you know it, it's not a big deal to kill a man': Norwegian black metal's murderous past". the Guardian. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2021.

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "'Before you know it, it's not a big deal to kill a man': Norwegian black metal's murderous past". the Guardian. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2021.

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