Blasphemer lämnar Mayhem

Blev faktiskt inte förvånad när jag läste att Blasphemer (Rune Eriksen) lämnar Mayhem. Kommer inte ihåg var men läste en intervju med honom för någon månad sedan där han berättade om flytten till Portugal, hur bra han trivdes där och om hans engagemang i bandet Ava Inferi. Det kändes direkt att något inte riktigt stämde med bilden han tidigare visat upp. Jag fick en känsla som det inte riktigt gick att sätta ord på men nu kom alltså förklaringen.

Blasphemer var gitarrist och låtskrivare i Mayhem från 1995 till och med dagens datum och om hans roll inför Ordo ad Chao sade Attila Csihar:

"BM: Let's return to the latest Mayhem album; Blasphemer (guitars) has been credited for writing all the music, but from what you have said before, I have gotten the impression that the creation of the album was a more collective effort.

A: Yeah, that's true. Still, the composition of the album and basically the main ideas came from him and me. It has been mentioned in that particular way on the album's sleeve because we've had about a year or so during which we laid down the main lines and prepared the whole album. It was only then when we started presenting these ideas and the new songs to the others. Of course we kept them informed in the meanwhile too, but it was mainly after that year that Necrobutcher and Hellhammer were involved. Obviously, they had to learn the songs then, which were about 90% completed. During that process they came with their own ideas and of course their particular playing style added a new dimension to the songs as well. That doesn't mean that Blasphemer and I feel like we are of more importance in the band though."(http://www.burningmisery.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=52)

Med tanke på Blasphemers roll för låtskrivandet känns det i nuläget avlägset med ett nytt album från Mayhem. Jag tycker det är väldigt tråkigt för Mayhem fick för mig ett stort uppsving i och med Ordo ad Chao som var riktigt bra. Ett så bra album hade inte gruppen släppt sedan det klassiska De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas.

Om beslutet att lämna Mayhem säger Blasphemer:

"It is with these written words that I hereby retract myself from my position as the guitar player of MAYHEM. "The main reason behind this conclusion lies in the fact that I simply don't see any future for me in the band anymore, at least not a future I'd like to participate in over the coming years. I've been playing my part in the band now for more than 13 years already, having composed, produced and released several albums with great vision, dedication and craftsmanship, to arrive at this crossroad of opposites. Sooner or later, all things comes to an end, and in my case, this circle is complete.

For some of you this might not come as the biggest surprise, as I've clearly stated in several interviews that I was not sure what the next step would be. These 'hints' were partly rooted in the fact that our latest album fulfilled all of the expectations, visions and aspects of negativity that I felt I wanted to express with this band, and also, of similar importance, that I felt tired of both the touring aspects, amidst its turbulence and personal differences, and also my role in the band.

It has been a dark, devoted and spellbinding journey, and as some beings and entities develop, others remain the same. I've developed my essence. No questions. However, the legacy of MAYHEM will / must always remain what it always has been, and I wish to thank all parts involved and to wish them all the best for the future. I also would like to thank my followers over the years, from 'Wolf's Lair...' to 'Ordo...', my vision has been clear. I'm also sure the band will continue with a respectful formation, and that an eventual album will be placed 'up there' where it (should) belong.

I have now personally chosen to focus on other paths in terms of creativity and vision. My 'child of heart' AVA INFERI has already a busy schedule for the future and our third album is being crafted as we speak. I will also resurface with new will and blood in a future extreme project. You have not heard the last of me, on the contrary. It's all about to begin.

Note that the few already scheduled shows will go on as planned WITH me."