book reviews: March 2008 Archives
Due to my continuing interest in all things Scandinavian, my ever-present interest in music, and my recent and all-encompassing interest in Metalocalypse, I decided to read up on the history of black metal. Therefore I'm reading a charming non-fiction book called "Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground." A few choice passages:
Anyway, it's an interesting (and admittedly) scary tale of all the tall tales and legends of Varg, Euronymous, Dead, Bard, Metalion, etc. And church burnings, suicides, murders, etc. Partially told through interviews of those currently in prison for their deeds, particularly Mr. Varg. This book was written a couple of years ago, and as I was reading last night there were a few references to Varg potentially being out on parole in 2006.
I was reading up on Wikipedia today to try to find out if he really was released two years ago (he wasn't), and was surprised/frightened to quickly glance across a headline alluding to his attempted prison escape. But then I read the details...
- "Black metal has taken the fire of Loki and used it as fuel, the accelerant for a one-way ride to hell."
- "Death metal bands would play shows wearing jogging suits and he [Euronymous] was totally against that."
- "A saying is that most Norwegians will visit church on three occasions in their lives, and on two of them, they will be carried in."
Anyway, it's an interesting (and admittedly) scary tale of all the tall tales and legends of Varg, Euronymous, Dead, Bard, Metalion, etc. And church burnings, suicides, murders, etc. Partially told through interviews of those currently in prison for their deeds, particularly Mr. Varg. This book was written a couple of years ago, and as I was reading last night there were a few references to Varg potentially being out on parole in 2006.
I was reading up on Wikipedia today to try to find out if he really was released two years ago (he wasn't), and was surprised/frightened to quickly glance across a headline alluding to his attempted prison escape. But then I read the details...
In October 2003, Vikernes failed to return to his low-security prison in Tønsberg, Norway, after having been granted a short leave.What??? I had already read details of how he's able to maintain his website from prison, and how he's released two Burzum albums while incarcerated, and now this? Short leaves from prison...for CONVICTED MURDERERS? I realize Norway is very progressive, but whoa. This is quite foreign to me, considering my Texas background and the "just lethal inject all of 'em" stance there. Anyway, Varg is up for parole next month, and I will be watching the proceedings closely...
