That Was Just An Image
March 29, 2010 12:44 PM   Subscribe

Once Upon A Time In Norway (MLYT). An oral history of the early days of Black Metal. (via)

Black Metal Previously: 1, 2, 3
posted by Potomac Avenue (13 comments total) 12 users marked this as a favorite
 
I have no interest in the music, but I remember reading an article about this scene in Q magazine back in the early 90s - quick google suggests its not available online.
I am interested to see where they are now and how they feel about then now.
posted by therubettes at 1:09 PM on March 29, 2010


There's a documentary out at the cinemas as well
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:16 PM on March 29, 2010


And remember if you're not eating the brains of a fellow band member, you're not metal!
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:18 PM on March 29, 2010


Mayhem has a pretty crazy History.
posted by Dick Laurent is Dead at 1:18 PM on March 29, 2010


What excellent timing, I'm set to see a screening of Until the Light Takes Us this weekend.

I also have no interest in the music, but a large interest about its very existence and ability to motivate people into action (positive or negative). I suspect I find it interesting only because I don't understand how or why it motivates people.

'Pop'ular music doesn't do much more than just encourage the purchase of more pop music.
posted by Doug Stewart at 1:18 PM on March 29, 2010


Oh man, the Chicago Reader just totally LOL'ed me with their review Until the Light Takes Us:

This is worth seeing for its snapshot of countercultural delusion and the comedy of Varg "Count Grishnackh" Vikernes, pompous crypto-Nazi and incarcerated murderer, whining that the media have distorted his subtle social critique.
posted by The Straightener at 1:45 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]


I very highly recommend 'Until The Light Takes Us'. It's a great documentary on a misunderstood and infamous genre. And any movie that features Fenris of Darkthrone? One of my favorite bands? Swoon.
posted by spinifex23 at 2:13 PM on March 29, 2010


Great documentary. Thanks for this post, Potomac Avenue.
posted by sveskemus at 2:37 PM on March 29, 2010


I wish that there were a black metal band that sang happy songs about girls and cars. Cuz it would be cool to listen to a screechy grar grar grar band and then realize that the lyrics are about sunshine and lollipops.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:53 PM on March 29, 2010 [5 favorites]


As a comicbook fan I've always felt that there's a huge line between liking to read Conan and wanting to be Conan. Most of these guys seem to fall into the second category, at which point I have a hard time taking them seriously. The music, as much as I've heard, seems to be mostly about propping up the performers rather fragile egos (very similar to gangster rap in that particular way) by allowing them to pretend to be the whatever hell-spawn they're singing about. If they was any sense of ironic detachment between the performers and the music it could fun on a GWAR kind of level, but the fact that they take is seriously kills it.
posted by doctor_negative at 3:57 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]


good golly, BitterOldPunk, you just outlined the entire premise of my future band, "The Agony of Sunshine and Kittens"!
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 5:32 PM on March 29, 2010


Reading up on this (again) on wikipedia, especially: At some point in 1990, the members of Mayhem moved to "an old house in the forest" near Oslo called KrÄkstad I can't help thinking there'd be a great sitcom in this... plenty of opportunities for, ahem 'black' humour... it would be like Spinal Tap only with more death and church burnings.... er OK, just me then.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 4:45 AM on March 30, 2010 [4 favorites]


I can't help thinking there'd be a great sitcom in this... er OK, just me then.

Not just you fearfulsymmetry, its a capital idea!
posted by therubettes at 9:15 AM on March 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


« Older I don't believe what I just saw!   |   Public Apathy Enables Leaders To Ignore Voters. .... Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments