Black Metal: Beyond the Darkness

by Tom Howells (Editor), Nathan T. Birk, Diarmuid Hester

Black Metal is a genre often maligned as overtly concerned with nihilism, destructiveness and an insular obsession with Satanism and aggressive nationalism. In reality, it is a constantly evolving vehicle for musically and ideologically progressive groups and artists, one that is increasingly forward thinking despite maintaining a purity of expression that is tied to the past.

The formative events that, in equal measure, shocked and fascinated the tabloids of Norway and the international Metal underground in the early 1990s have given way to pan-academic appraisal, far-reaching musical appropriation and new conceptions of regional and stylistic self-identity.

Black Metal — Beyond the Darkness aims to look past the much-discussed Second Wave spearheaded by groups and artists such as Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone and Emperor, with a new focus on a number of the form’s lesser-reported international scenes; developments in the selling and distribution of Black Metal through labels, stores and distros; idiosyncratic aesthetics and inherent notions of theatricality; Black Metal’s relationship with the world of Fine Art; and oral recollections of the genre’s development, amongst other topics.

Illustrated with previously unseen archival photography, record covers, ephemera and other diverse aesthetic documentation of the genre, Black Metal — Beyond the Darkness includes newly commissioned essays by Nathan T Birk, Louis Pattison, Nick Richardson, Jérôme Lefèvre and Diarmuid Hester, as well as newly prefixed texts by Brandon Stosuy and Hunter Hunt-Hendrix, alongside testimonials by groups and individuals including John ‘Metalion’ Kristiansen, Ulver, Imperial, Trine + Kim Design Studio, Nicola Masciandaro and Jon “Thorns” Jamshid.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

189 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2012

Reviews

[Gnome Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has its moments, but overall it is NOT DIFFICULT ENOUGH. Black Metal is difficult, DIFFICVLT. The whole point of Black Metal is to pummel consciousness into abyssic spheres of celestial ice, not treat itself like some kind of fucking topic. The idea that books about Black Metal should be clear and informative 'goodreads' is democratic drivel. A good book on Black Metal is not one that is informative or interesting, but one that simultaneously makes you ponder the imponderables like some unconquerable martial-melancholic deity AND makes you feel like hanging yourself with Ouroboros for a noose because life is a total waste (which it is). Not that any such books exist or probably ever will.

[Alejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happened with Black Metal after the scandals in Norway? This books covers the scenes, academic work, artists and other fields of life influenced by Black Metal, showing the great expansiveness of this awesome extreme genre. It even gives food for thought for new discussions, and in my case, how Black Metal is the more hyperreal of the extreme genres.

[5 pound poi · Rating 3 out of 5]

una tomadura de pelo

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels very random. As many of the essays read as filler as feel essential. Predated a lot of the later books on the genre but has also been eclipsed by them.

[Milja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book, so easy to read and visually extremely appealing. I love the fact that it takes a step back from the initial black metal drama that happened in the North ["story told a thousand times…"] and focuses more on other black metal scenes, bands and relevant individuals, while still discretely not letting us forget the events from the 90s, Norway, and using them as a sort of parallel, comparison point.
However, what I found to be the bad side of this exploration of international BM scenes is that after the first 1/3 of the book, it is much more about an academic/culturological/musical "battle" between Norway and US than anything else, with the exception of few big names that kept being mentioned throughout the whole book.
The essay on Transcendental BM…not sure if the problem is in the definition of the division itself or the fact that the essay was written by an actual artist who invented the term - the essay sounds very subjective, without any [for me, personally] real and/or logical support except the personal point of view of the creator of the "genre".
Another thing I love is that the book features a lot of art and artists who are not operating in the music industry but are completely or partly influenced by Black Metal music and some who even contributed *to* BM culture and its development through their art - painting, sculpture, illustration, photography, typography, print and even graphic design.
A lot of interviews, interesting side-material and input from significant individuals.

All in all a beautiful read and an absolute recommendation.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on Black Metal. It touches on the more informative and less sensational black metal topics that often get overlooked. There isn't a "Lords Of Chaos" vibe here. In fact, many of the writers scoff at those over publicized accounts of Black Metal's bygone era.

I like that whole sections are dedicated to the aesthetics of the genre. From the corpse paint and outfits down to album artwork and band photos. It touches on zines dedicated to Black Metal and features first hand accounts of people that were there during the tape trading heyday.

The extensive discography at the end is a nice addition. There's even a chapter dedicated to U.S. Black metal which is interesting considering it's so often overlooked and usually deemed "untrue." Overall, this is an excellent book. It's high quality and size make it a great coffee table piece.

[M Pereira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent 2 years reading this book. I took so long because I was thinking about every chapter. I probably spent about 2 months every chapter. In a sense there is a fear that the story of the emergence of Black Metal is to be overtold, but this book also tells the alternative narratives outside of Norway, and the state of play in the days since the scandalous headlines of 1994-1996

[Gabriel Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of interesting stuff but with a slight whiff of form over substance. Essays on distribution and design especially interesting and a good discography.

[Yuri Cunha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much more entertaining read than, for exemple, Hideous Gnosis. Much more accesible and much more visually pleasing, too. A feast on the eyes, to be more precise. Highly recommended.