Black Metal Pt. 2

So TJ started up the black metal conversation on his last post and I've decided to carry the torch, so to speak. While the article discussed the media influence on teens into perusing the occult as having a more or less benign effect, the influence of black metal's model of Satanism has yielded, at least for more than a few individuals, particularly destructive results. By no means do I wish to argue that Occult influences generally have such an impact, as the Scandinavian spawned black metal scene appears to function more on gut-level rebellion than any sort of real centralized ethos (in its effect anyhow, in my opinion), it is worth noting that like the rise in interest in Wicca caused by such teen films as “The Craft,” this craze was sparked by charismatic media figures who caught the attention of particular teens who felt themselves marginalized.

In what is probably a vast oversimplification of how the scene evolved, I'm going to quickly pull a quick synopsis of its roots. There were popular bands dabbling with occult themes like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath, while additionally, other groups like Coven took it to a greater lengths. Based on my research on the topic,it is my opinion that this band could be the coolest shit ever. According to the book Lords of Chaos, the group planned a failed Satanic Woodstock while releasing one of the most successful anti-Vietnam records ever, a cover of “One Tin Soldier”(Moynihan and Soderlind 7-8). So, check it out. Nevertheless, numerous groups followed, emulating these themes, seeking to take them to greater extremes. Such include King Diamond and Venom, both using satanic imagery and ideas for very symbolic and with very goofy effects. Neither seemed particularly interested in the Occult beyond scaring folks, but that's not what mattered. So then what is next? Someone needed to take it to the new level. Using the violence and aggression found in thrash metal bands like Slayer, arose the group Mayhem. Though it would be unfair to call them the innovators of black metal, since that would ignore the contributions of bands like Bathory or Celtic Frost, they became a very important center point for the scene that would ensue.

These dudes started as a bunch of drunks who, apparently, were really into rustling the feathers of the no-so-strict Christian community around them. After the alleged cannibalization of sort-time lead singer Dead's corpse, as TJ pointed out, Euronymous became a much feared individual in metal community, despite his future murderer and band mate Varg “Grishnackh” Vikernes who felt him to be a bit a too soft. Varg, on the other hand, was more interested in burning churches and sparked a trend of similar arsons, many of which are suspected to have been committed by teenage fans seeking respect in the community Say Moynihan and Soderlind:

Black Metal bands like Venom intended their Satanic image as a joke, but the music they created was imported to Norway and picked up by teenagers who were inclined to take this form of showbiz Satanism at face value. Then the Norwegian bands upped the ante by creating a reality out of Venom's weird fantasy world—a reality which commanded international respect in a youth culture that venerates not only those who 'talk the talk,' but those who 'walk to walk' as well (355).

What, at its core, claims to be a call to arms in the destruction of Judeo-Christian teaching appears to be more of an outlet for impressionable kids to act out violent fantasies. As Euronymous is quoted, “I don't want to see people respecting me, I want they to hate and fear me.” This fear the scene created has given a lot of people within it a sense of power and has resulted in numerous high-profile murders and hundreds of graveyard and church desecrations, most of which committed by teenagers apparently in the name of black metal.

One of the more bizarre accounts I have ever heard of the extremes of black metal were of a group of South American teenagers who felt there music was only fit for the dead. As such, they only performed for dead. They made claims of exhuming grave yards to collect an audience for their performances in a black metal zine, but were met with skepticism. They, in response, mailed a human figure to its publisher. Though I can't for find any evidence to substantiate this, I don't really care. I would very much like to continue to believe that this is real.

Also, it appears that there are plans to make a fictionalized film adaptation of Lords of Chaos in the near future.

Featured above: "The most despised man in Norway"

Meanwhile, check out these additional video interviews with Gaahl from Gorgoroth (found here). I think they are pretty cool.