For the continued discussion of the bands in the satanic folk thread in PE v2
For the continued discussion of the bands in the satanic folk thread in PE v2
I red the document and it seemed to me as an atempt to create a theoretical concept of the genre; in retrospect. You know, black metal is not the sole transcedental form of music, there are also other styles that transport you in "larger than life" worlds, beyond your everyday existence. But black metallers killed and destroyed cultural heritage. And the series of questions that mostly arise for me are: What type of black metal followers killed? What impulse made them kill? Under what conditions they might NOT murder?Pangolin said:
Any views on the philosophical back-engineering of BM that the 'Black Metal Theory' folks have been attempting?
http://blackmetaltheory.blogspot.com
I always believed (and it may not sound at all marxist) that geographical location is one of the main elements that influence human psyche. If you take a close look at the three major black metal scenes of the late 80s/early 90s under that prism, you can obtain useful conclusions (please do not take them as stereotypes but simply as behavioural patterns that will enable us to understand the collective subconscious of the black metal clan).
1. Brazilian scene (the older BM scene as we happen to know the genre): Ferocious christian-hate music by "happy" people (brasilians are thought to be among the happiest and most diverse people in the world). A scene based on a multiple personal relations with a preference for the sensual and the exotic, typical attitudes among the locals. Another local characteristic is a slight tendency towards aversion of manual or methodical labor. Close contact ("calor humano") Tropical wet & dry climate for the largest part of the country, moderate rainfalls, quasi absence of snow, annual average temperature range 20−26 °C. An excellent social environment for a "live and let live" attitude. I would label it as the "sensual" scene.
2. Greek scene: A scene centered around very outgoing people at a typical mediterranean setting. Generally populated by laid-back people thinking highly of themselves and their surroundings, in a country whose cultural heritage (and mythology) is aeons before christianity. So it was very natural for the local bands to abandon "Satan" as the central figure of their interest and dive into what I call epic hellenistic darkness: ancient myths with a strong element of mysical "catharsis". Less "evil" but equally "dark" with an emphasis on the "heroic deed". My label would be the "epic" scene.
3. Norwegian scene: Cold... cold... very cold and dark winter. Snow-clad whiteness during winter, golden in the summer/autumn, dark-thick forests, strong daytime and night-time temperatures differences. Usually, people stay large periods indoors and don't socialize that much (generally less than the southerns and they are used to spending more time "alone"). Less expressive body language than the southern countries. Social norms are rather permissive/tolerant society where having emotional outbursts seems rather unappropriate. Relationships develop slowly over there; it usually takes a lot more energy, than a brazilian or a greek is used to in his homeland. The label for me is the "grim" scene.
Fuelled by hate, over-comfidence to his personal "truth" and misanthropic blindness, which type of scenester is more prone to antisocial behaviour, if other socioeconimic factors permit?
I know that isolating the influence of geographical location to human behaviour can not sound very adequate as an analysis of what happened within the norwegian BM scene, but I think that "viewing through a window" may sometimes determine who we are most deeply than we usually think.
A briefer reply than your full and thoughtful response deserves.
It's a little, well, 'essentialist' isn't it? I assuming that the greatest proportion of the populations of these countries are not BM fans despite their exposure to precisely the same environmental conditions.
But black metallers killed and destroyed cultural heritage.
Absolutely. You could argue that Fantoft was a remarkable 'time capsule' for indigenous forms of design and craft, and that its destruction was in that sense an idiotic "own goal" from those claiming to privilege precisely those same forms. But many of these people were - let's be in no doubt - rather dim.
My sense is that your #2 and #3 underplay the nationalist element. The same may be true for #1: I know too little about Brazil. As for #2: I remember being in Greece in the mid-90s and coming across, in a record shop, metal with clear nationalist overtones. How is this playing out now with the Golden Dawn?
Last edited by Pangolin; 11-09-2012 at 05:50 PM.
Black metal fans of the second local wave (1994-2000) and some power/epic metal fans had a brief flirt with the nazi stuff, mostly due to the fact that Rotting Christ ex keyboardist and then Necromantia member Magus Daoloth was a member of the Golden Dawn. During the 00s, very few of them remained attached to the nazi ideals and Golden Dawn became more attractive to goths and football hooligans. Can't say that the situation remains the same today. The last 5 years, as the neonazis are gradually exiting their marginalisation phase (from 0.2% to a 11%), they are "mellowing-out" in order to be more attractive to the average citizen, thus are very careful in accepting "no mainstream looking youth" in their ranks.Originally Posted by Pangolin
However, we seem to be the only country in the world having a black metaller into Parliament.
I have a few other bands to inquire on, but I have to get a list going.
I know quite a few of the black metallers have mellowed-Ihsahn moved into prog metal, Samoth has toned down his image considerably, Blasphemer (who apparently was never as extreme as his Mayhem bandmates) has moved on to Ava Inferi for the most part...
...go on Jen.
However, we seem to be the only country in the world having a black metaller into Parliament.
Oh, I'm sure there's a copy of 'At War with Satan' in David Cameron's collection. The music he claims to like is so anodyne that it's clearly not the music he really likes.
Ihsahn: is it just me or is he turning into Ian Anderson? Physically, not musically. (Haven't heard the latest ... ).
Haven't heard anything from him, except his debut The Adversary. What are the rest like?
I like Undercurrent quite a bit. he contributes to Leprousy, his back up band, but I am beginning to find the vocalist of that group wearing a bit on me.
My question concerning Nekrophile-any time I put on a "nekrophile band" radio (Zero Kama Radio, Metgumbnerbone Radio, for example), it recommends and plays bands such as Sol Invictus, Hexentanz, Der Blutarsch, The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath a Cloud, etc.
Jen, you should find a lot to like at this site
http://heathenharvest.org/
Which a friend of mine helps to run. He likes much of the music but not The spiritual direction of much of the musical and written material that the site covers.
thanks! i downloaded some of the free music offered.
i have a question-i know albin julius went on to create der blutarsch with his current wife marthynna, but aside from her fling with samoth and some written work, whatever happened to alzbeth?
I dld the Samhainwork1 album. Just finished listening to Deluge - Mulm. now listening to Vi er natten - Vemod. So THIS stuff is Satanic Folk? sounds pretty good to me. which is the name of the artist and the song? kinda reminds me of some of the stuff I used to hear on The Engulfed Cathedral on Live365.
Davis, there is no satanic folk as such on that album. The Mulm track is dark ambient and the Vemod is more like ethereal.
I'm crushed. okay, name an album or artist that IS satanic folk so I can hopefully get it on YT.
they had blood axis and sol invictus
Exceedingly goofy IMO. Seems to be a product of "cultural studies" academic types plying the usual fare - which is largely nonsense. Black metal, and metal in general, doesn't need to be intellectualized.. the music speaks for itself.
I did YT search for 'satanic folk music' and heard a couple of songs. doesn't some of Eerie Von's stuff fit into this category? I should probably specify the Bad Dream No. 13 album
Last edited by davis; 12-03-2012 at 10:17 AM.
i have a few bands to ask about that i listen to but am unfamiliar with as far as who is in them:
coph nia
endura
dark muse
arktau eos
black mayonaisse
organisation toth
allegory chapel ltd
I'm only familiar with the excellent ARKTAU EOS, a finnish duo comprising Anti Haapapuro (previously operating as the more industrial AEOGA and also member of the more ritual HALO MANASH) and Antti Litmanen (also in the goth metal BABYLON WHORES). I don't know if you have heard their latest offerings on the Svart label the simultaneously released CD "Ioh-Maera" and the LP "Unworeldes". Excellent stuff, the CD being on their more pagan ritual style and the vinyl bringing forth their dark ambient side.
I have a Halo Manash cd and an Arktau Eos cd, both of which are fantastic! I was curious with Coph Nia and Endura because vocals are very similar.
Made a quick search 'n' listen for the other bands in your post.
a. The gothic influenced stuff: Dark Muse, Coph Nia and Endura. Not my cup of tea; they have the typical goth/dark feel of the Cold Meat Industry, Tesco and Old Europa Cafe labels, a sound that aged badly to my ears. Dark Muse "Sounds From Beyond The Silver Wheel" was the best of the lot, an album worth seeking out...
b. The industrial influenced: Organisation Toth sounded like a deja vu of the early industrial electronics. I knew that Allegory Chapel Ltd were operating in the "old days" of the cassette underground but hadn't the opportunity to listen to them util now. Pleasant listen, though for completists of the style. Black Mayonnaise sit on the edge of the power electronics genre, with a modern electronica influence and are a different beast (and closer to my preferences).
I listened to a few samples of Arktau Eos, from Mirriorion, which is sort of dark ambient music done without electronic instruments, and from Ai Ma Ra, which is more of the typcial dark ambient. Definitely have to pick up some of their stuff.
Ai Ma Ra is an excellent choice for a starter... Being a double CD it includes almost everything from the styles they experimented with...
Endvra: I have some of, but would highly recommend Christopher Walton's next project TenHornedBeast, especially 'Hunts and Wars' (2010) which is a fantastic piece of work that stands far above most other dark ambient type stuff, IMO.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks