Yes, its been a long time since I first read this book and I guess its contents and very existence is no stranger to any black metal listener as I'm sure it served as a tome or sorts to almost anyone that was introducing themselves to the genre back then (and maybe even now). All these years later it seemed interesting to blow the dust off this book and read it again, even though everything inside is deeply entombed into my brain. I just wanted to read it from a different perspective.
When I originally read 'Lords of Chaos' I was still young and niave to the genre and didn't know much of what really constituted of black metal, whereas now all these years later I've heard most (maybe all) of the classic albums and understand what the genre is about, even if I'm still working on catching up with the modern day stuff.
The book begins with a culture study of examples of the Devil and Satanism within music, going all the way back to late 60's and early 70's where bands like Coven and Black Widow where slipping various references into their work. Things get a little more too the point by discussing the history of heavy metal and eventually to the early Satanic themed bands, such as; Mercyful Fate, Venom, Slayer and Bathory. Looking back I probably should of paid more attention to this section of the book. While I had already owned the early Slayer discography for years I didn't really take notice of Venom or Bathory immediately and it wasn't until several years later that I'd come to adore Mercyful Fate. From here it covers both prototype and early pioneering death metal in the 80's with bands like Possessed, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Dismember and Obituary and how the genre rose, but ultimately began to die by the mid-90's.
It continues onwards shedding light on the development and history of Norwegian black metal in particular and the various shenanigans involving bands like Mayhem, Burzum and Emperor. Everyone knows about Dead's suicide and unfortunately nowadays the lads known and appreciated mostly for the fact that he blew his brains out rather than his actual human qualities and abilities as a performer, while all the Varg and Euronymous murder stuff is deeply discussed through various interviews with both Varg and various members of the scene back then. I guess its interesting reading some of the interviews for the sake of brushing up on my BM history, but ultimately hearing Vargy rant on and on about how he committed the murder in self defense and what not reached the point of being tiresome quite a few years ago. Faust's murder of the gay dude that wanted to wank him off in the forest is also discussed.
After a shit ton o' pages of interviews and explanations as to why exactly the Norwegians burned churches, hated Christianity, killed people and themselves, it burrows into the mindsets and philosophies a tad more. One of many concept's discussed is that Christianity was forced into Norway, a foreign religion, which ultimately took place of the original Nordic Gods and the church burnings were largely a manner of protest amongst that idea. There's also a big part on Satanism in general as well as its relevance and origins in Norway, likewise all manners of the original Nordic beliefs are brought to mind. Some of this material turns out to be hit or miss, really, since only a few of the interview are with BM personnel, while most are with religious leaders and what not, though I suppose the interview with LaVey is slightly interesting. There's also a great deal of coverage of Nazism within black metal and music in general, and of course that's all connected to Varg Vikernes, though it also mentions Absurd's history and how the band murdered a classmate and ultimately got involved with Nazism.
One of the more boring aspects of the book is that eventually it just delves into crimes and violence committed by youths and has interviews with police officers and sorts, but its all quite boring to me. The coverage of Nazism, Aryans and other racial stuff eventually becomes a bit too much as well, not that I find it particularly offensive, but it just becomes dull reading about it over and over and the book ends on these topics too.
In the end it was interesting re-reading this book, even if a large portion of it was facts that have never escaped my head. Since the book was published in the late 90's it particularly focuses in on the early 90's scene and only has key members and mentioning of bands from that time. If I'm not mistaken there was a revised version published some years ago that also came with a CD, but I seem to recall it being available only in German. Therefore, it would be interesting to see someone else tackle black metal, but perhaps from the the 00's onward just to do something different.
I'm sure for whatever reason I'll always keep this book, but reading it again is not something I'll probably fancy doing within this decade (or ever again). Honestly though I wonder if teenagers or those in their early 20's even care about books these days, I mean, with the internet and all? As I'm getting older I find little connection with today's youths, even the metal inclined type, still I wonder what those that are older than me or even the folks involved in the old scene feel when reflecting on these nearly ancient events. Perhaps Fenriz's emotions when walking past the nowadays shop in Oslo that was once Helvete, near the end of the, 'Until The Light Takes Us' film say it best.
I got this book. Read it once. A lot of it is all bullshit (interviews as well as the documenting)... but it's a fun read for the most part.
ReplyDeleteNaturally I have a copy of this too. I've got the 2003 edition which added at least the Elg case and whatever else, can't be arsed to check right now.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, it's quite a tedious read and obviously coloured by Moynihan's views. It is also way too Norge-centric. I suppose I should give it another read one of these days soon, it's been some years I last read it.
I also need to see these "new" documents, I haven't watched a single of them yet and as a fan of (Euronymous-era) Mayhem I should at least see that one soon.