Maniac

Maniac is the stage name of Sven Erik Kristiansen, a Norwegian musician born on February 4, 1969, best known as the former vocalist of the influential black metal band Mayhem. He joined Mayhem initially in 1986 and later rejoined in 1994, delivering some of the band's most intense and notorious live performances, often involving self-harm onstage that contributed to the dark and extreme reputation of the band. Maniac's raw and extreme vocal style became a defining feature of Mayhem's sound, helping to shape the early Norwegian black metal scene. He left Mayhem in 2004 due to personal challenges but briefly reunited with the band onstage in 2016. Beyond Mayhem, Maniac has been involved in other projects like Skitliv and has explored various genres including doom metal and dark ambient.

This Maniac should not be confused with other artists or bands sharing the name, such as the Los Angeles power pop punk band or the grime artist from Texas, as they have distinct musical styles and backgrounds.