Mayhem celebrates 40 years of history with a unique show in Brazil on December 7th, at Vip Station, in São Paulo. A rare milestone for a band that shaped and survived the most extreme side of black metal.
In an exclusive interview with Heavy Metal Online , Jørn “Necrobutcher” Stubberud , bassist and founding member, confirmed that the show in Brazil will symbolically close a decade of celebrations and a trajectory marked by tragedies, renewals, and controversies. “São Paulo is the last show we’re going to do on the 40th-anniversary tour. It will conclude the world tour,” says the bassist.
Necrobutcher promises a special, intense, and meaningful show. The performance will feature classics from different phases of the band, moments celebrating the history of black metal, and a symbolic farewell to this world tour. For fans, it will be a chance to witness an essential chapter in the trajectory of one of the most important bands in extreme metal.
Cancellations in Brazil: "I can't believe this happened"
Despite their strong connection with the Brazilian public, the band faced turbulence during their last visit to the country in 2023, when two shows were canceled due to local political pressure accusing the band of sympathizing with extremist ideologies. The mobilization came from state deputy Leonel Radde (PT), from Rio Grande do Sul, who at the time made a video accusing Mayhem of neo-Nazism and contacted the authorities to cancel the show.
The Porto Alegre show was canceled by the venue after a politician filed a complaint to prevent the performance , followed by protests. Then, the Brasília show was canceled at the last minute , with fans and the band themselves still at the venue.
The episode still causes outrage in Necrobutcher: “I can’t believe this happened in a country like Brazil. You are no longer a third-world country. You have elected governments. Some corrupt politician wanted to make a fuss about himself in the newspaper. And he succeeded. I couldn’t believe it.”
According to Necrobutcher, the cancellations were motivated by unfounded accusations attempting to associate Mayhem with extremist ideologies . He believes this is a simplistic historical distortion of the image surrounding black metal.
The attempt to link the band to the far right is something Jørn categorically rejects. "I've heard about those kinds of bands, which are political and call themselves black metal, with far-right attitudes, but we're not that, you know. Far from it, we've never been that," the musician emphasized.
He admits that extremist groups exist in various musical styles, but emphasizes that this is not the reality for Mayhem. “You have skinheads in punk, right-wing people in folk music, even hillbilly country with it. It’s everywhere. But we’re not part of that group,” he explains. In a humorous tone, he quips: “If anyone should be banned, it’s Ace of Base —and for a real fucking reason.”
Connection to Brazil: "My favorite restaurant in the world is there"
Even after the cancellations, Necrobutcher reaffirms that Brazil remains among the most significant countries in his career. The bassist demonstrates an unusual affection for an icon of such an austere genre.
“I love traveling around Brazil, playing there. I’ve made great friends over the years,” he said enthusiastically. He also confessed a deep love for Brazilian cuisine, especially for one specific dish. “My favorite restaurant in the world is in Brazil, you know, the churrasco? I love that stuff. I make sure I always go to one of those restaurants. And you guys are the kings of chocolate, you know, and I love chocolate,” he confessed.
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