Every time big Norwegian black metal bands release new albums, people start re-examining the history of the extreme music form, which is chock full of savage and evil exploits, including church burning, suicide and murder.
While the roots of the movement can be traced back to the English band Venom and the Swedish outfit Bathory, it was Mayhem that ignited the torch of black metal in Norway and led the anti-religious crusade until frontman, Euronymous (pictured above) was murdered in 1993 by Varg Vikernes, the leader of another band, Burzum.
The Norwegian documentary “Satan Rides the Media” by Torstein Grude aired in early 1999 and recounts the bizarre, violent scene with rare interviews with Vikernes, other musicians, journalists, and members of the clergy.
The 51-minute long film is in Norwegian with English subtitles.
Before tearing into new releases by Mayhem, Dimmu Borgir and Marduk, get some perspective on the blasphemy. And if you’re craving more knowledge, pick up a copy of the book “Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground.”
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