This is a combination of a Mayhem chronicles Instagram post and my questions to Nils Svensson.
Nils Svensson was the very first singer of Mayhem in 1984. Unfortunately there's no recordings from this period of the band. But he was one of the original members who started the band, but only for about 2 months.
- But then we sounded more like Metallica with a dash of Venom. We were all about 15-16 years old.
How long did you know the Mayhem guys and how long were you friends with Øystein?
- I knew Øystein from first or second grade in school in 1976-1977. So we must have been about 7-8 years old. He was in my parallel class where most of my other friends were. He was the class geek in one way, Always interested in Math and Chemistry. Kjetil, Jørn and I got to know each other in seventh or eighth grade when a best friend of mine (Thomas) moved to Langhus. He was also in Øystein's class. He was also probably the reason Øystein got to know Kjetil and Jørn also. Kjetil and I were also in the same classes between 1985-1987.
- By the way, Jørn met Øystein because I had sent him to show him where I lived. Jørn was actually supposed to play bass in another band I played in.
He stayed friends with Øystein until Pelles death.
- Øystein had another band first with two other friends of mine who were also called Mayhem. He got his first guitar 2 months before they started. He hadn't played guitar for a year when I practiced with them. He was about the level of Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) in 1976 then.
- After I quit I probably saw 10-20 rehearsals and the two most important concerts before Pelle died.
Did you know Sven-Erik Kristiansen too?
- Not more than that I've met him. Before Kjetil left, it was mostly the three of them who practiced alone.
About Pelle ”Dead” Ohlin.
- They couldn't find any vocalists locally because everyone thought what they were doing was just nonsense. No one took them seriously.
- I liked Pelle. A very nice guy but with a lot of mental issues. I talked to him a lot. He should have just gotten help and never come to Norway. But like Øystein he lived in his own world.
Today Nils Svensson is part of the team who runs the excellent Scandinavian Kiss Army video/podcast, Destroyer Alive.
