Norwegian Black Metal (Part 1): Darkness, Mayhem and Tragedy

WILDCIDE

In part one of this wild two-parter episode, we dive into the shadowy world of Norwegian black metal- a music scene that transcended mere sound to become a notorious subculture known for its aggressive music with dark, philosophical, and anti-religious ideologies. This chaotic story begins with the notorious and influential history of Mayhem, the band that laid the foundation for Norway’s black metal scene. The band members comprised of aliases like ‘Euronymous’, ‘Hellhammer’, and ‘Necrobutcher’, ‘Count Grishnackh’, along with others, together became a symbol of extreme ideology, shocking events, and underground rebellion. Most notably, is the tragic and disturbing death of Mayhem’s lead singer Per "Dead" Ohlin, the enigmatic frontman of Mayhem whose life and untimely death left an indelible mark on the Norwegian black metal scene. Dead’s obsession with death, the macabre events leading up to his passing, and the dark aftermath involving band members all contribute to a story that is as haunting as it was influential; forever changing the landscape of extreme music. As Mayhem’s notoriety grew, so did the lines between art and real-life violence, including arson, murder, and chaos. Don your corpse paint and join us as we uncover the myth, the music, and the madness behind Norwegian black metal.

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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).