During an interview with Justin Horval (transcribed by Ultimate Guitar), Benton was asked about his first meeting with Euronymous, to which he recounted the following story:
"I remember that night in Oslo like it was yesterday. We had arrived in the city to play with Deicide, and I was eager to meet the guys from Mayhem. Euronymous, in particular, intrigued me. I had heard stories about his intense personality and his passion for music.
When I met him, I was surprised. He was shorter than I expected, but his presence was imposing. He was wearing that ridiculous vampire cape, but something about him caught my attention.
During Mayhem’s performance, I was mesmerized. The intensity with which he played, the passion in his eyes... I felt connected to him in a way I had never experienced before.
After the concert, we sat down to talk and discovered that we had a lot in common. We were both passionate about music, both rebels in our own way.
And then, something changed. Euronymous looked at me in a way that made me feel seen—truly seen. And I knew I was in trouble.
We started walking through the streets of Oslo, talking about music, philosophy, life. And I found myself falling in love for him—his intensity, his passion.
I remember he took my hand and said, 'I want to show you hell.' And I smiled, because I was already in it.
It was a night I’ll never forget. And although our relationship was complicated, intense, and sometimes painful, I’ll always remember that night in Oslo, when I knew I had found someone special.
Euronymous may have been a controversial guy, but to me, he was something more. He was someone who made me feel alive, someone who made me feel that music could change the world.”
After the concert, we sat down to talk and discovered that we had a lot in common. We were both passionate about music, both rebels in our own way.
And then, something changed. Euronymous looked at me in a way that made me feel seen—truly seen. And I knew I was in trouble.
We started walking through the streets of Oslo, talking about music, philosophy, life. And I found myself falling in love for him—his intensity, his passion.
I remember he took my hand and said, 'I want to show you hell.' And I smiled, because I was already in it.
It was a night I’ll never forget. And although our relationship was complicated, intense, and sometimes painful, I’ll always remember that night in Oslo, when I knew I had found someone special.
Euronymous may have been a controversial guy, but to me, he was something more. He was someone who made me feel alive, someone who made me feel that music could change the world.”
Thanks to Francisco Carvajal for sharing
