Pelle Ohlin, also known as Dead, was the lead singer of Mayhem from 1988-1991. Dead went to great lengths to achieve the image and overall atmosphere he desired for the black metal scene. Before shows, he would often bury his stage clothes so he could achieve a rotting grave scent. He would also hoard roadkill and animal corpses to smell before singing, to ‘inhale death’ and ‘perform with the stench of death in his nostrils’. On some occasions, Dead would cut himself on stage while singing. It was not doubtful that Pelle suffered from depression; some might even say he suffered from mental illnesses such as Cotard's syndrome. Many individuals have this theory; according to Sage, a social science organization, “we propose that Ohlin's eccentric beliefs and behaviors were symptoms of an unrecognized psychiatric condition, Cotard's syndrome.” Pelle ended his life on Apr. 8, 1991 by slitting both of his wrists, followed by shooting himself in the head. 

It was Pelle’s suicide that really kicked off the start of The Black Circle, also known as The Black Metal Inner Circle. Bands such as Mayhem, Emperor, and Burzum were heavily involved in the group, or cult, some may say. The cult-like group revolved around satanic beliefs, and glorified these ideals. Kristian Vikernes, better known as ‘Varg’ is the founder of Burzum. Varg is mainly known for his suspicions of multiple Norwegian church burnings, and brutally murdering Euronymous. Rock Celebrities, a rock news website, states, “Varg Vikernes… murdered Euronymous at his Oslo apartment. A dispute over a contract had allegedly precipitated the confrontation that led to Euronymous’s death. Vikernes claimed that Euronymous had intended to torture him to death and had used the contract as a pretext for a meeting.” Varg was convicted of first-degree murder, possession of explosives, and church arson.