The Associated Press reports that members of Norwegian death metal band, Mayhem, were carving up a dead sheep on stage as part of their show �when the animal's head flew off lead singer Maniac's knife and struck 25-year-old Per Kristian Hagen.�

Hagen suffered a fractured skull from the assault. "My relationship to sheep is a bit ambivalent now. I like them, but not when they come flying through the air," Hagen told The Associated Press Monday from his hospital room. 

AP also reported the following: 

Hagen filed involuntary assault and battery charges against the band. The charges carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison. 

Mayhem member Rune Eriksen, whose stage name is Blasphemer, said the incident was unfortunate. "The whole thing was an accident, but maybe it would be an idea for another show," he said. 

Eriksen promised Hagen a free ticket to Mayhem's next performance. 

Police detective Carl-Petter Leganger said an investigation has started but "nothing suggests this was a conscious act." .