Sven Erik Kristiansen | |
|---|---|
-2008-11-09.jpg) Maniac live with Mayhem in 2004 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Maniac |
| Born | (1969-02-04)4 February 1969 (age 57) |
| Origin | Norway |
| Genres | Black metal,doom metal,hardcore punk,noise,dark ambient |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Member of | Skitliv |
| Formerly of | Mayhem |
Sven Erik Kristiansen (born 4 February 1969) is a Norwegian musician, best known as the former vocalist in theblack metal bandMayhem under the stage nameManiac.[1]
Loudwire called Kristiansen "an incarnation ofauthenticity."[2]
Kristiansen joinedMayhem in 1986 after the departure of the band's original vocalist Messiah, and left in 1987. He was then replaced by Kittil, who was later replaced byDead, who committed suicide in April 1991. WhenHellhammer decided to revive Mayhem in 1994 after the deaths of bothEuronymous andDead, and the imprisonment ofCount Grishnakh, he invited Kristiansen to return as the band's vocalist.
Kristiansen left Mayhem in 2004 through mutual consent due to his drinking problem and lack of time off.[3][4][5] In 2016, Kristiansen briefly rejoined Mayhem onstage during a performance at theInferno Festival inOslo.[6]
According toLoudwire, Kristiansen's vocal stylings alternate between what can be described as "inhuman vocalizations," and simplyspoken word patterns. According to the site, hisshowmanship as a black metalfrontman is characterized by "intellectualism and the ability to musically convey the nuances ofinsanity."[2] Kristiansen was known for giving extremely intense live performances, oftencutting himself onstage and frequently landing inintensive care units.[7] However, in a later interview he stated when the band realized that the cutting had become a phenomenon people came to watch, he quit doing it.[7]
Kristiansen has three children: a daughter with his wife, Eri Isaka (Vivian Slaughter ofGallhammer), a son with his ex-girlfriend,Hilma Nikolaisen, and a daughter from a previous relationship.[5][8] He has stated that since he became a father, he has become more conscious of what he exposes himself to and is less destructive.[5]
For several years, Kristiansen was a self-admittedalcoholic. According to him, the turning point for becoming sober was finding himself hanging by one arm out of a fourth floor window with no recollection of how he got there.[5]
Studio albums
Studio EPs
Live albums
Compilation albums
Studio albums
Studio EPs
