Let me start by saying this: This is the book I should have read before trying to analyze the compilation of intellectual essays that I read last time. This book not only chronicles the early history and origins of Black Metal bands, but also the theory and influential events of the era. Lords of Chaos by Michael Moynihan and Didrik Soderlind chronicles the intense development of Black Metal from the 1970s and through its heyday.
The earliest directly related ancestors were the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Both bands had a rebellious attitude and used Satanic lyrics in their music. They were reason that Satanism took root in most rock music until today. Jimmy Page primarily introduced it as he was an avid learner of the concepts engrained in the religion. Bands ever since have tried to emulate their massive success by employing the rebellious nature and satanic views which propelled the Stones and Zeppelin to the top.
Possibly the most notorious band to utilize Satanism under the Metal genre was Venom. Founded in 1979 in England, this hard-driving group stepped-up the tones which were introduced to form what most consider Death Metal. Venom is often credited with being the origin of Black Metal even though they themselves didn't identify directly with that genre. Following Venom's huge European success, the international domination of Death Metal occurred.
Slayer took many of the same sounds and ideas and spread them to the United States with great success. They also spawned a spin-off genre called Thrash Metal which contained such bands as Metallica and Megadeth. This sub-genre of metal is the most prominent to the mainstream listening audience. A small group of bands mimicked the sound of Slayer and Venom in the Norwegian countries. This is where Black Metal could spread like a wildfire through the societies which nurtured their adoption.
Around the beginning of the 1990s, several important pieces to the puzzle were being laid out in order to ensure the eventual adoption of Black Metal throughout the population. Things like Slayer magazine and increased government censorship of violence in the media was causing a buildup of emotions in Norway. Bands built small fan-bases from the youth and preached Satanism as well as suicide, self-harm, and crime. All of the emotion was released when Black Metal swelled up to fill the void. Churches were burnt, people were murdered, and the cult following transformed into a massive congregation of dedicated disciples to the genre's many bands.
Nick,
ReplyDeleteThat was honestly one of the more interesting blog posts that I've read this year. I never realized that there was much of a history behind the rise of Black Metal. I would attempt to suggest a potential direction for where you could head, but it seems like you have a pretty strong sense of direction. This paper is going to be a really interesting one to both write and read. I hope to have the chance to read it when it's done.
I really love learning about this. The counter culture and extremes that sometimes happened within metal communities I find both puzzling and intriguing. I think that maybe if you took a view from the psychological standpoint of why people followed would be incredibly interesting to delve into, especially when it comes to burning churches etc. The roots of metal effected modern day genres substantially, and brought this music to the forefront for more people to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNick,
ReplyDeleteThis blog post is fascinating! Not only did I not realize how complex the culture behind BMT was, but I also can't help but notice that the similarities between our topics continue to appear. Even as I have narrowed my focal point down to Vietnam Era Music, I continue to see the same groups and followings throughout both of our subjects. The Rolling Stones, which you mentioned as potential catalysts for the Satanist movement in music, were also one of the most influential groups when it came to 'Nam Music, specifically anti-war anthems (such as "Paint It Black"). Also, you mentioned that the "Lords of Chaos" chronicles the influential events of the era, and I wonder if there is any reference to Vietnam in it. I'm excited to see where each of our papers go, and hopefully the collaboration process will prove fruitful for both of us as well. Good luck moving forward!