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On the Taming of Evil in Black Metal
by Noctir (Dec. 2012)
In the 1980s, black metal referred to bands using Satanic or occult themes in their lyrics. Most bands matched this with their aesthetics. Some, like Bathory, Slayer, and Possessed, likely used this image to appear extreme. With Venom, it seemed more like a tongue in cheek ‘fuck off’ to the establishment. Mercyful Fate, however, appeared to take the occult seriously. These bands embraced the traditional rock and metal attitude of rebelling against the norm. Throughout the decade, more bands joined the Satanic legions. Sodom, Hellhammer, Poison, Tormentor, and others. As the decade went on, many dropped Satanic lyrics and imagery, which some saw as a lack of seriousness. It was up to the next generation to take things further.
In Norway, the scene centered around Mayhem. Euronymous and his bandmates shifted from gore-inspired themes to the dark, Satanic approach culminating in De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. Younger musicians were influenced and followed suit. Mayhem did more than use theatrics. They created a morbid stage atmosphere with rotten pig heads and self-inflicted bleeding by Dead. Dead’s suicide was exploited by Euronymous to deepen Mayhem’s mystique, though some found this tasteless. For them, darkness, evil, and death were not just lyrics but a way of life. This ideology spread in the Norwegian scene, mixing old black metal style with black magic to create something new. However, the significance of these musical developments is overshadowed by the extracurricular activities after albums like Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism, Wrath of the Tyrant, Burzum, and A Blaze in the Northern Sky. Several musicians committed crimes such as murder and church burnings that took things to an unprecedented level. While Venom and Mercyful Fate sang about Hell and Satan, these musicians actively fought the Judeo-Christian establishment, burning historic churches they felt didn’t belong in Norway. By the time Varg Vikernes murdered Euronymous, things were out of hand. Murders and church burnings spread even to Sweden involving Jon Nödtveidt of Dissection. The second generation made a definitive statement of dedication to Satan, the occult, and Christianity’s destruction, but their behavior often led to personal ruin. Later bands, aware of these downfalls, backed away from that edge but still wanted equal or greater respect.
Modern black metal musicians claim to take things seriously, aiming to appear extreme and respected but avoid the trouble of killing or burning. They take the moral high ground, claiming wisdom and maturity beyond the past. They reject the ’80s use of Satanism as a rebellious image and claim a spiritual level. At least, that’s what they say. Many in the ‘Orthodox’ camp come off as feeble-minded and laughable, spending more time studying scripture than old Bathory records. Their lyrics show severe devotion to the Bible, also called the Book of Lies. Earlier musicians recognized Judeo-Christian mythology as nonsense and wrote about destroying it, but modern bands are true believers in it. Some well-known musicians, like Watain, even believe in God. These theistic Satanists seem to reinforce God’s existence through their spiritual stance, the opposite of those before them. Many today study theology more than history, brainwashing themselves into believing one of mankind’s greatest hoaxes, spreading it to followers.
It is sad that so many humans have herd mentality. Many want to belong to something no matter what so they aren’t alone. Metal has often been a boys’ club or refuge for rejects. Critical thinkers are the minority while sheep follow misguided shepherds. It’s bad enough that many bands legitimize the Bible by treating it as anything but fiction. Most fans are equally weak-minded. In an idol-worship way, many fans adopt their bands’ beliefs. Not all truly believe as many put on an image unrelated to their true thoughts. Still, many soak up everything their ‘masters’ say. Fans’ spending shifted. Less on albums or merch, more on occult and religious books. This might be a conspiracy to raise book sales for Jewish occult authors.
Eventually, bands and fans should realize that studying to be biblical scholars doesn’t make anyone more evil, nor do twisted Bible-like lyrics make one more intelligent than the older bands who wrote about raping nuns and killing priests. This shift partly caused Deathspell Omega’s original vocalist to leave, seeing the writing on the wall. Putting faith in Judeo-Christian mythology is mental weakness. If bands want to surpass their predecessors without jail-time from crimes, the only option is to make worthwhile music. Few modern bands focus on this, preferring gimmicks to stand out though their music is usually inferior. Even decent bands lose respect when they talk about their theistic Satanism and how well versed they are in biblical nonsense. They only make themselves look ridiculous and contribute to the trend. Understanding the enemy is good, but these people should put down their Bibles and spend more time with their guitars.
In Norway, the scene centered around Mayhem. Euronymous and his bandmates shifted from gore-inspired themes to the dark, Satanic approach culminating in De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. Younger musicians were influenced and followed suit. Mayhem did more than use theatrics. They created a morbid stage atmosphere with rotten pig heads and self-inflicted bleeding by Dead. Dead’s suicide was exploited by Euronymous to deepen Mayhem’s mystique, though some found this tasteless. For them, darkness, evil, and death were not just lyrics but a way of life. This ideology spread in the Norwegian scene, mixing old black metal style with black magic to create something new. However, the significance of these musical developments is overshadowed by the extracurricular activities after albums like Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism, Wrath of the Tyrant, Burzum, and A Blaze in the Northern Sky. Several musicians committed crimes such as murder and church burnings that took things to an unprecedented level. While Venom and Mercyful Fate sang about Hell and Satan, these musicians actively fought the Judeo-Christian establishment, burning historic churches they felt didn’t belong in Norway. By the time Varg Vikernes murdered Euronymous, things were out of hand. Murders and church burnings spread even to Sweden involving Jon Nödtveidt of Dissection. The second generation made a definitive statement of dedication to Satan, the occult, and Christianity’s destruction, but their behavior often led to personal ruin. Later bands, aware of these downfalls, backed away from that edge but still wanted equal or greater respect.
Modern black metal musicians claim to take things seriously, aiming to appear extreme and respected but avoid the trouble of killing or burning. They take the moral high ground, claiming wisdom and maturity beyond the past. They reject the ’80s use of Satanism as a rebellious image and claim a spiritual level. At least, that’s what they say. Many in the ‘Orthodox’ camp come off as feeble-minded and laughable, spending more time studying scripture than old Bathory records. Their lyrics show severe devotion to the Bible, also called the Book of Lies. Earlier musicians recognized Judeo-Christian mythology as nonsense and wrote about destroying it, but modern bands are true believers in it. Some well-known musicians, like Watain, even believe in God. These theistic Satanists seem to reinforce God’s existence through their spiritual stance, the opposite of those before them. Many today study theology more than history, brainwashing themselves into believing one of mankind’s greatest hoaxes, spreading it to followers.
It is sad that so many humans have herd mentality. Many want to belong to something no matter what so they aren’t alone. Metal has often been a boys’ club or refuge for rejects. Critical thinkers are the minority while sheep follow misguided shepherds. It’s bad enough that many bands legitimize the Bible by treating it as anything but fiction. Most fans are equally weak-minded. In an idol-worship way, many fans adopt their bands’ beliefs. Not all truly believe as many put on an image unrelated to their true thoughts. Still, many soak up everything their ‘masters’ say. Fans’ spending shifted. Less on albums or merch, more on occult and religious books. This might be a conspiracy to raise book sales for Jewish occult authors.
Eventually, bands and fans should realize that studying to be biblical scholars doesn’t make anyone more evil, nor do twisted Bible-like lyrics make one more intelligent than the older bands who wrote about raping nuns and killing priests. This shift partly caused Deathspell Omega’s original vocalist to leave, seeing the writing on the wall. Putting faith in Judeo-Christian mythology is mental weakness. If bands want to surpass their predecessors without jail-time from crimes, the only option is to make worthwhile music. Few modern bands focus on this, preferring gimmicks to stand out though their music is usually inferior. Even decent bands lose respect when they talk about their theistic Satanism and how well versed they are in biblical nonsense. They only make themselves look ridiculous and contribute to the trend. Understanding the enemy is good, but these people should put down their Bibles and spend more time with their guitars.
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