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Norwegian Black Metal

How Ivar Bjørnson sent death threats

The early Norwegian Black Metal scene was notorious for its uncompromising stance against “trendy” death and Black Metal bands that didn’t fit the self-proclaimed standards of the new arising Norwegian “elite”. Hate mail, death threats, even attacks (Paradise Lost, Therion) were some of the violent expressions of this radical attitude. Much of it most likely goes back to Euronymous, who — as the oldest figure and “thought leader” of the Norwegian scene — seems to have had a strong influence on the easily impressionable younger minds around him.

Ivar Bjørnson (Peersen) of ENSLAVED seemed to have been drawn into that wave of influence. Back in those years, rumors circulated that he had repeatedly sent hate letters to bands and individuals he disliked. When asked about it in ‘Skogen’ zine in 1994, Ivar (at that point only 16 years old!) responded:

“I guess I did some stupid letters to persons I didn’t like before…..All that childish crap, running around and writing threatening letters, is really something I am not proud of. I hope this will be buried by the sands of time. Anti-this, anti-that. What is it good for? If one is to dislike something or somebody, tell it face to face!”

I don’t know who else might have been on the receiving end of Ivar’s letters (if you do, let me know), but at least one such letter resurfaced from the ‘sands of time’ on Facebook a couple of years ago. Bart Smits, former vocalist of THE GATHERING, shared a funny story from 1992, involving a then-14-year-old Ivar (aka Daimonion):

Read More »How Ivar Bjørnson sent death threats

The truth about IMMORTAL’s weird “Call Of The Wintermoon” video

Seriously, is there anyone out there who still hasn’t seen Immortal’s ‘video clip’ for Call of the Wintermoon? The one where Abbath, Demonaz and their then-drummer Kolgrim charge through the woods in corpse paint, spike gear and wizard robes, breathing fire and making ridiculous faces?

The sheer absurdity still cracks people up and leaves them wondering what the hell they just watched. For years, puzzled fans tried to explain it the only way they could: by assuming Immortal had a great sense of humor and didn’t take themselves too seriously. Grim and frostbitten Black Metal — but with a wink.

And yet, nothing could be further from the truth. According to the band, the video was never even supposed to exist.

Read More »The truth about IMMORTAL’s weird “Call Of The Wintermoon” video

Infamous DARKTHRONE Interview (German ROCK HARD magazine, issue #71, April 1993)

English translation:

In our previuos issue, Atrocity frontman Krulle was willing to provide information about various incidents related to Satanism and Norway. Now it was time to interview a band from the orbit of this cult-like group of imbeciles. Ted Skjellum from DARK THRONE seemed to be the right man, even though their new LP “Under A Funeral Moon” doesn’t live up to expectations.

Unfortunately, my conversation with Ted ended up being rather disappointing, as the man hates interviews and certainly doesn’t like being asked about the Norwegian scene. Well, I can only counter that with the saying “The spirits that I’ve cited…”, because after all DARK THRONE were pretty much the first ones who clearly committed themselves to the burgeoning Black Metal movement. So here are the few useful statements from Ted, and I assure you that this was the last time this idiot has been given space in our magazine.

Read More »Infamous DARKTHRONE Interview (German ROCK HARD magazine, issue #71, April 1993)