All eras must inevitably come to an end. Time never stops moving and nothing can last forever. Don't believe it? Look no further than Norwegian black-metal icons Mayhem. The band's longtime guitarist, Rune Eriksen a.k.a. Blasphemer, announced that he has made the difficult decision to move on from the group, according to the black metallers' Web site.


Mayhem (Far Right: Blasphemer)

"The main reason behind this conclusion lies in the fact that I simply don't see any future for me in the band anymore, at least not a future I'd like to participate in over the coming years," Eriksen said in the post.

Despite his departure, Rune asserts that metal fans have not heard the last of him. In addition to fulfilling his remaining obligations with Mayhem, the talented guitarist will turn his attention to two side projects. Ava Inferi, which Eriksen calls his "child of heart," are in the midst of writing their third album, while another side project is apparently on the way. "I will also re-surface with new will and blood in a future extreme project. You have not heard the last of me. On the contrary, it's all about to begin," confirmed Rune.

Eriksen joined the band in 1995 following the infamous murder of original Mayhem vocalist/guitarist Euronymous. With Eriksen's talent for songwriting on board, Mayhem went on to release three innovative albums. Though opinions are split on the first two - 2000's Grand Declaration of War and 2004's Chimera - the band's most recent offering, Ordo Ad Chao, is widely considered to be one of its best. Thus, it is a shame to see Blasphemer go.