Norwegian Black Metal (Part 2): Chaos, Arson and Murder

In part two of this wild two-parter episode, we are right back into the shadowy world of Norwegian black metal. In part one, we delved into the notorious and influential history of Mayhem, the band that laid the foundation for Norway’s black metal scene. We talked about how after Dead’s suicide, Mayhem’s popularity soared. Arguably, this tragedy was the first domino to fall in the chain reactions in Norway that included violence, arson, murder, and a further tumble into black metal chaos. In part two, we will focus on the notorious beef between Euronymous (the ‘Godfather’ of Black Metal) and Varg Vikernes aka ‘Count Grishnackh’. This led to a shocking wave of church burnings that swept across Norway in the early 1990s, igniting a firestorm of controversy and fear. Tied to the burgeoning black metal scene, these acts were fueled by a mix of anti-Christian sentiment and a desire to reclaim pagan heritage. As musicians and fans alike embraced a darker aesthetic, the line between artistic expression and criminal behavior blurred. Two shocking and tragic murders catapulted the black metal scene into the public eye. This dark chapter raised questions about identity, rebellion, and the consequences of extreme ideology, forever marking the legacy of Norwegian black metal.

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Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. Editing/Production for the podcast by Bltzwolff (bltzwolff@gmail.com).

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References:

Cameron, Dr. J. A. (2023, October 13). Black Metal Church burnings: A historical view. Stained Glass Attitudes. https://stainedglassattitudes.wordpress.com/2018/01/13/black-metal-church-burnings-a-historical-view/

Campion, C. (2005, February 20). Chris Campion on Metal’s maddest: Mayhem. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/feb/20/popandrock4

Godfrey, A. (2019, March 22). “before you know it, it’s not a big deal to kill a man”: Norwegian Black Metal’s murderous past. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/22/before-you-know-it-its-not-a-big-deal-to-kill-a-man-norwegian-black-metals-murderous-past#:~:text=It%20has%20been%2011%20years,Varg%20Vikernes%2C%20AKA%20Count%20Grishnackh.

Heavy Consequence Staff. (2019, October 15). Mayhem’s Necrobutcher: I was on my way to kill euronymous myself. Consequence. https://consequence.net/2019/10/mayhem-necrobutcher-euronymous/

Monger, C. (n.d.). AllMusic is being updated.: Music Search, recommendations, videos and reviews. AllMusic. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mayhem-mn0000335302#biography

Moynihan, Michael; Søderlind, Didrik (2003) [1998]. Lords of Chaos (2nd ed.). Feral House. ISBN 0-922915-94-6.

Mythic Imaginatio. (2022, February 5). Timeline of churches burned in Norway. Black Metal Chronology. https://blackdeathmetalhistory.wordpress.com/2022/02/05/timeline-of-churches-burned-in-norway/

Deburke321. (2020, July 12). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv2P1uxvlLs

Documentaries and films

• Det svarte alvor (1994), aired on Norwegian TV by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK).
• Satan rir Media (English: Satan Rides the Media) (1999).
• Norsk Black Metal (2003), aired on Norwegian TV by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK).
• Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005) touches on black metal in the early 1990s and includes an extensive 25-minute feature on the DVD release.
• Black Metal: A Documentary (2006), produced by Bill Zebub.
• Murder Music: A History of Black Metal (2007).
• Once Upon a Time in Norway (2007).
• Pure Fucking Mayhem (2008).
• Black Metal: The Norwegian Legacy (2008), produced by Bill Zebub.
• Until the Light Takes Us (2009).^[110]
• Black Metal: The Music of Satan (2010), produced by Bill Zebub.
• Lords of Chaos (2018), directed by Jonas Åkerlund.
• Helvete – historien om norsk black metal (2020).