Blood Fire Death:

A brief introduction to Norwegian Black Metal

When discussing the Norwegian music scene, one cannot leave out one of the most contested and confrontational genres to have taken root in the Norwegian subculture: Black Metal. While Norwegian Black Metal is actually considered the “second wave” of the subgenre, as the “first wave” is generally attributed to British band Venom and their 1981 debut album Welcome to Hell as well as Swiss groups Celtic Frost and Hellhammer, the style and conviction of the Norwegian scene is far beyond that of the British origins. The subgenre took off in Norway, trickling in during the late 80s until fully actualizing by the early 90s, when the subgenre’s underground frontrunners - Burzum, Immortal, Darkthrone, and Mayhem - really became fully integrated into Norwegeian music culture. The more mainstream black metal groups, like Emperor, Thorns, and Ulver, were also highly influential at this time.

One of the largest elements, and most highly debated within the movement, is the underground nature of the music. Early performances were focused on being underground and recreating the “true essence of death and black metal” and straying from the commercialization of the culture.Acts like Burzum and Mayhem preferred more simplistic musicianship and a more treble laden, distorted recording quality. Emperor, who was signed to Candlelight Records after their first demo recording was released, was generally perceived as having a cleaner, more technical sound. As black metal became more widely accepted, the theatrical nature of live performances and the level of showmanship increased dramatically, incorporating blood, gore, and elaborate costumes and make-up into the scene.

   MAYHEM

Mayhem is one of the earliest of the Norwegian black metal groups, starting in 1985 and getting their name from the Venom song “Mayhem with Mercy.” The group started with by guitarist/vocalist Øystein Aarseth (aka Euronymous), bass guitarist Jørn Stubberud (aka Necrobutcher), and drummer Kjetil Manheim. In 1986, Euronymous hired new vocalist Sven Erick Kristiansen (aka Maniac) so that he could focus soley on guitar. By the middle of 1988 Manheim left to find a steady job and Maniac left due to clinical depression. At this point, Swedish vocalist Per Yngve “Pelle” Ohlin (aka Dead) joined the group, taking the group to greater standing in the public eye by self mutilation on stage, cutting himself with broken glass and hunting knives. In 1991, Dead killed himself. His suicide affected Necrobutcher so much that he then left Mayhem and was replaced by Varg of Burzum, who then two years later murdered Euronymous after a dispute. The band continued performing and recording with continually changing members until September 2010, when they played their final show in New Zealand

Burzum - created by Varg Vikernes - is seen as one of the more prominent groups of the underground black metal scene and went on hiatus when Varg was arrested after stabbing fellow black metal musician Øystein Aarseth - better known as Euronymous. He was convited for murder and the arson of several Norwegian churches, as church burning was seen as an integral part of the antitheist, satanic element of the black metal scene. Varg recorded two dark ambient solo albums on a synthesizer while he was serving his 15 year sentence.

The scene is still very much active. Burzum released their 9th album Fallen in March of this year. Emperor has sporadic reunion shows but hasn’t released any new material since 2001. Immortal reunited in 2006 and is still touring and playing shows, having released their 9th album in 2009 and a DVD last year about their 2007 show.