Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
In an interview with Brazil’s Heavy Metal On Line, bassist Jørn “Necrobutcher” Stubberud of the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem discussed the band’s recent 40th-anniversary tour across Latin America, as per Blabbermouth.
He was asked whether he and Mayhem intend to continue producing albums and touring until they are physically incapable of doing so.
Stubberud provided a response to this inquiry.
I think, yes. I think that is the truth, because I’ve been thinking about it. And I’m thinking that — take an example. Attila said a couple years ago that maybe we should take a little break, a year or two, just to chill out. But everybody got the same thought as I had, and that was, no, it’s stupid to stop now because you never know what’s gonna happen. And we are not getting younger either. So it’s better to do it now.
I think if something happens with the three main members — me, Hellhammer or Attila — I’m not sure if there’s any point going on, and maybe that would be the end. You could replace any of us, but then again, really? I mean, of course if it could work and if — I don’t know. It’s hard to say, really, but I think if any of those two guys can’t do it anymore, I think I will quit the band. Also, I will finish the band. And not ‘finish’ as in [completely] finish [doing stuff related to Mayhem]. We are [still] gonna have a merch shop going.
Here’s another thing. I’m 57 now. We are 42 years and two months [old now as a band]. New carrot for me: if we can stick it [out for another] eight [years], so [in] eight more years, we will have [our] 50-year anniversary. In Norway, you get your state pension when you’re 67, and that will be the year I get my state pension. Sorry, the year later. So if we make it next eight years, then I would be like all the people who work their whole life until they retire and get the state pension. And I would be happy with that. That would be a lifetime achievement for me. So everything works out.
So, to tell you why I think this is gonna happen, that is, we [will] release a new album now in 2026. [There’s] gonna be two, two and a half years touring to finish the [touring cycle] of 65 countries and 200 shows. And then we still have one record left on a record deal with Century Media under Sony Music. And it’s a progressive deal, so it means that we made a deal for ‘Daemon’ and then for two more albums. So we come up with a new one now, and we still have another one [to record under the deal]. So if you think that we are able to do it and have inspiration enough to do it, that in three years now we stop the touring circle, we take a year off to write and record the next album, and then we go into the next [touring cycle], it’s gonna take us two, three years — boom, we are 50 years old and it’s a lifetime achievement. And then if we made it there, I mean, what are we gonna look like in 10 years from now? Are we gonna be in fucking wheelchairs or are we gonna be in diapers? Are we gonna be with a white cane? Are we gonna shake? Who the fuck knows? But this is what happens to people when they start to get to the end of 60 years, 70 years old… And then again, we are not just a guy with a guitar that can come up on stage and do some Johnny Cash songs and play until you’re 85. This is high-energy movements and techniques that you need to be on your fucking game to be able to get the fingers around the thing or the drums. I can see people now that are still touring, but everybody knows that they shouldn’t. We are not there yet, but I don’t wanna be there. I don’t wanna come there. I would rather give up when the game is good still.
