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Nov 07, 2011

Jason rated it:

Ok, this book was a fascinating read, but one that I wouldn't recommend. On one hand, I am completely intrigued by fringe groups and underground subcultures (in a scholarly if not voyeuristic way), and on the other hand I really really hate these guys and want them to stop. It was been a frustration of mine for years that a lot of music I like and entire genres of music that appeal to me are chock full of downright fucked up and dangerous people. That was the real value of this book for me: a ch More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Mar 20, 2008

Nora rated it:

Okay. I'm reading this because I'm a music fanatic and fascinated by fanaticism and counterculture, not because I'm a Satanist OR a fan of black/death metal. That said, this book is hilarious. If you read between the lines, you see a bunch of scrawny, insecure boys who stumbled upon a way to scare the crap out of their country, and beyond. Come on -- how can you really boast that you're an evil agent of Satan when you have to borrow money from your mom to put out your band's record? Seriously. S More...

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Dec 16, 2009

Chuck rated it:

Kids in Norway wear corpsepaint and worship the devil, burn churchs and act otherwise retarded.

This book delves into these subjects and often times does so via strange avenues.
Interesting read, but sometimes too many mundane details and redundant points.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 26, 2008

Beth rated it:

This might as well be called "Everything you wanted to know about Satanism in music but were afraid to ask." It's ridiculously comprehensive, and I would recommend that you skim some sections (unless you're fascinated about the late 1990s state of death metal worldwide, detailed on a country by country basis). After a while, you stop noticing that the authors have chosen to capitalize many words that you wouldn't necessarily think deserve it - Rock Music, Rapper, Punk, etc.

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1 comment like (3 people liked it)

Aug 23, 2011

Michele rated it:

Got this item years ago through a trade. Basically was getting rid of some stuff. Exchanged a VHS tape full of 70s XXX trailers for this book.

Personally, always thought I got the better end of the deal.

It's an interesting read, especially if you're into music that fly under the mainstream radar. Don't worry, it won't convert you into Satanism, nor have you purchase loads of Black Metal CDs. Nor have you burn down churches, then kill your annoying next door neighbor. What thi More...

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Jan 26, 2011

Graham rated it:

The start of this book was well-done. Moynihan thoroughly details the genesis of black metal, the evolution of its ideals, and the roots of those ideals in bygone history and spirituality. I found the latter point the most interesting, as things like black metal can so easily be written off by the masses. The connection of its ideals with pre-Christian pagan ideals and Jungian archetypes offered a deeper analysis than the majority of music-related books.

However, at some point " More...

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Jul 27, 2010

Zac rated it:

It has been quite a few years since I read this.
Lords of Chaos narrates the origins of the Scandanavian black metal scene, and to a lesser extent satanic- and occult-themed heavy metal in general. It does a fair job of this but suffers from a drift in focus. Whether he was aware of it or not, Moynihan's interest quickly drifts to white supremacism. And while many (too many) of these bands have associated with those themes (part of metal's unfortunate tendency to see any "extreme" More...

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Aug 21, 2009

Brian rated it:

What an interesting book. I didn't know a lot about black metal in Norway, even though I read another book from Feral Press entitled Lucifer Rising, which I felt was a much better book about the role of the devil in rock and blues music. However, this book wasn't just about music, since there were so many events tied into the black metal scene in Norway. It was weird because when I was reading this book, a friend's sister was getting married and moving to Norway to do ministry work with her Nors More...

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Oct 25, 2010

Graeme rated it:

An all-around poor showing from Moynihan and Soderlind here. You'd think that a book about black metal would focus at least somewhat on the music the scene produced, but instead we get a lurid and sensationalistic look at the crimes a minority of musicians in the scene committed. And sure, Varg Vikernes' murder of Euronymous and his involvement in church burnings is a significant part of the story of black metal and should be told, but this doesn't explain the attention given to Hendrik Möbus More...

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Dec 29, 2010

Justin rated it:

I read Lords Of Chaos when it was first published. Thanks to my friend, Lydia, being employed at a bookstore on Sundays, I received a copy of this new, updated edition. Hot dog! Black metal, murder and mayhem.

The story of Norwegian black metal is, perhaps necessarily, wrapped up in Satanism and pagan beliefs. Not to mention, of course, teenage angst, alienation and rebellion. From the genesis of bands like Venom, Slayer and Celtic Frost, a sound developed. More than a sound, thou More...

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Sep 13, 2009

Kate rated it:

Here's the deal. I am a bleeding heart liberal, and completely politically opposed to everything these musicians, authors and even Feral House stand for. I can't help but find it interesting, though. I went through an anti-Christian phase when I was about 14, although for different reasons (feminist). I grew out of it, realizing there are PLENTY of awesome people with beliefs similar to mine and I can largely ignore the exclusive conservative sects, or oppose them in the proper political channe More...

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Nov 15, 2011

Matthew rated it:

Read this when I was much younger, so was neat to go back and check it out again. I am a huge, HUGE fan of black metal, have been since I was 12. When I was a kid I loved the imagery of it- the EVIL, the satan action, anti church, everything. These days, my older, mellower self still loves the music, but cringes at the imagery now- man, what was I thinking? One thing hasn't changed- I respected them for their anti church stand. I did not at all condone the methods, and the fallout of everyt More...

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Jan 28, 2009

Felix rated it:

Das Buch ist als Materialsammlung durch die vielen Interviews sehr brauchbar und die Darstellung der Ereignisse rund um den norwegischen 'Schwarzen Zirkel' ist detailliert und dicht. Soweit so gut.

Aber:

- die Atavismus-Archetypen-Oskorei-Theorien sind völlig abstrus und hart an der Grenze zur Legitimierung der geschilderten Gewalttaten
- der kritische Umgang mit dem Nazi-Gedankengut wird unter dem Vorwand der 'Neutralität' vermieden (Autor Moynihan ist selbst mit sein More...

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Dec 12, 2008

Cwn_annwn_13 rated it:

Chronicles the literaly "killer" Scandinavian black metal scene. Fascinating look at the events that unfolded, where bands that were making brilliant music, were also burning down churches and comitting murders. And you thought Madonna and Bono took themselves too seriously!
Also includes some great essays on the wild hunt from euro folklore. Moynihan has this theory that Odinist Black Metal was a form of atavistic ancestral memory of the wild hunt manifesting itself, or something More...

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Oct 22, 2011

Drommetenrot rated it:

This isn't just a book on some part of music history as it contains loads of other materials, influences on the Norwegian Black Metal scene and some really strange stuff. However I think this is exactly the strenght of this book as it has brought together a lot of different things and encourages further reading on certain subjects. Some GR critizised that Moynihan doesn't comment critically on the stuff that went on in 1990s Norway or on the interviews. I agree that discrete thinking and critica More...

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Feb 28, 2009

Lee rated it:

Investigation of the beginnings and maturation of the Norwegian Black Metal scene. Interesting to say the least especially considering the lengths that many of the persons involved in the scene went to to prove their loyalty and sincerity. The books does get a little bogged down in the center talking about the history of Pagan values and Varg Vikernes but it has been 10 years (I think) since I have read this so coming back to it may reveal some insights which I overlooked initially. I would reco More...

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Apr 16, 2011

Jamie rated it:

Even if you have no interest in listening to the music of underground Norwegian black metal, you almost cannot help but become totally engrossed in this book. It is amazing how a small, peaceful country such as Norway could become the epicenter for violent, satanic metal. You will learn about metal's rise in popularity among the disenchanted youth and how its popularity lead to the burning of churches, slaughtering of animals and even the murder and suspected cannibalism of one of black metal's More...

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Jan 04, 2012

Dixie Diamond rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

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Jan 28, 2012

John rated it:

Couldn't finish this book for the following reasons:

1.) Interview style that bordered on schizophrenic (and not just for the subjects being interviewed)
2.) Grew out of 2nd wave of black metal while reading; moved on to more kult, underground stuff you've probably never heard of, poser
3.) Wanted to stab Varg Virkernes after reading the terms of his 16-year prison sentence for murdering Euronymous
4.) Glaring inconsistencies and/or speculation on major events described in More...

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Feb 02, 2011

Jim rated it:

mixed about this one. part crime, part sociology, part folkloric history.

the best parts are the factual events and history of the bands & individuals. does dry up at times with folklore and at times jumps in theory. also a little heavy on certain figures, ie. varg.

don't get me wrong, really enjoyed certain aspects about the history and folklore. but the writing and pace did change for the slow as it tried for the academic. highly recommend if you're into the subject mat More...

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Jan 02, 2010

Casey rated it:

I knew nothing about Scandinavian Black Metal, an inherently terrifying musical genre, until I stumbled upon this book at MLK. What if you were in a band so evil that one member asks another to kill him, and he does (with an axe to the face). Not to be extreme, but that's what happened. These guys burn churches, attempt assasinations, and carry out cruelty with no remorse. Somehow music is involved, too--very curious about that. You don't want to get brought down by topics like these, but if you More...

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Mar 11, 2009

Derrick rated it:

Man, I was really hoping this was gonna be like an Under The Banner of Heaven w/ black metal instead of Mormons and it didn't quite make it and I think what sucks the most is that half time the problem as purely editorial. Like, one awesome/insightful writer struggles against the totally unfair handicap of writing in a language he wasn't proficient enough in. Elsewhere, excellent writing is subverted by this book's other editorial failure: a lack of interest in properly organizing articles/int More...

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May 29, 2008

Matt rated it:

This may be one of the better researched books that I have read in quite some time. Moynihan does an excellent job of gathering both primary and secondary sources.

The cover of the book is reminiscent of those mid-1980's exposes on Satanism that warned of the evils of allowing teens to listen to Iron Maiden or wearing Metallica t-shirts to the mall. Don't let the cover fool you, however, this is a completely different animal.

This work explores the phenomenon of Norway in More...

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Nov 04, 2007

matt rated it:

this book was absolutely amazing.As anyone whose spoken to me in the past week will attest to, i have been unable to have a conversation without bringing it up. simply put, it's essential reading for anyone interested in the materializing of a subculture as well as a well-developed look into the mind of one bizarre counter-culture icon (Varg Vikernes).
A couple of things to keep in mind: there is some HEAVY bias loaded here on behalf of the writers but it manages to not discredit anything i More...

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Feb 01, 2011

B rated it:

A few good pictures that people who live in caves without the internet (or people who have no interest in blackmetal) may have not seen before and a hell of a lot of misinformation delivered by pedestrian weekenders with no sincere devotion to the history of this extremely interesting style of music. It's not a complete and utter waste of time but please take it with a grain of salt.... this is hardly the whole picture and the part that is there is more than distorted.

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Sep 12, 2008

Eric rated it:

This is about a subgenre of heavy metal prominent in Norway where some of the key members in the scene became involved with numerous church arsons and a couple of murders. Some of the key elements in the genre was the rejection of Christianity, Satanism, worship of the Norse gods, and obsessing about death. Norway is not a hotbed of murder and violence, so I was interested in drove these people to such extremes. Much of the book is oral history - interviews with the surviving members. Unfort More...

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Dec 17, 2009

Aaron the Pink Donut rated it:

A somewhat disjointed but amazingly detailed written(if slighly Inaccurate)treaties on the rise of black metal as a musical movement and as a subculture. The book spend most of its time describing the rise of the black metal in Norway but does give glimpses of the movement in The US and a few other places such as England and Japan (very briefly thought).
The book covers the history of the bands and the people behind them in pretty good detail but doesn’t go too over bored.
True cr More...

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Sep 28, 2011

Scott rated it:

One of the few books I've read multiple times. A fascinating look into a fascinating music scene - early 90s black metal. The scene has changed a lot since then and it's interesting to read the inside story of what was spoken about in whispers in American media as "the black circle" or whatever nonsense it was. Certainly there are some biased viewpoints and untrustworthy sources within, but this was a great story nonetheless.

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Jul 10, 2008

Jack rated it:

The title is somewhat misleading as it really focuses more on the black metal scene, particularly in Norway and Sweden. I really liked it and it is not a sensationalistic book, it is well researched and a good primer on why and how subcultures start and grow. Great interviews, stories and newsclippings from legendary bands like Burzum, Bathory, Ulver, Immortal, Darkthrone, Emperor etc. Some of what these guys say comes off as bravado and laughable but most of it scares the shit out of you and yo More...

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Nov 13, 2010

Mirza rated it:

An inane combination of fascist propaganda ( thanks to “radical traditionalist” Siege publisher Moynihan), and tabloid sensationalism courtesy of his coauthor, this is a very poorly written attempt to portray BM as some outgrowth of the “Nordic racial soul”.
In short it is useless crap and dangerous insofar as it encourages and glorifies further fascist penetration of extreme metal culture.

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