Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The point was to spread more sorrow." — Varg Vikernis (as quoted in the transcript)
"The Norwegians go to church three times in their life and the first and third time they're carried in." — Speaker (referring to societal trends in Norway)
"The reason why the standard of living in Norway being too high. That's why you can be a black metal musician. That's why you can spend all day hanging out in a record store wax and philosophical about the nature of evil and Satan. Yeah, because the government's taken care of you like an asshole." — Speaker (commenting on the irony of the black metal scene's origins)
This installment of "Norwegian Black Metal" explores the volatile emergence of Varg Vikernis and his influence on the burgeoning scene. Vikernis, with a background influenced by his father's work for Saddam Hussein and his parents' racist ideology, developed a profound interest in weapons, Nazism, and later, role-playing games. His obsession with Tolkien's works led him to adopt the moniker "Burzum," a name derived from the inscription on the One Ring. The episode highlights the conflict between Vikernis's fixation on perceived "evil" and the more mundane interests of other musicians, particularly regarding food and weaponry. It also touches upon the scene's complex relationship with Christianity, framing their adoption of Satanism as a counter-movement rooted in a perceived weakness of Christian doctrine, and even a satirical interpretation of Christian beliefs.
The narrative progresses to the escalation of radical actions within the black metal community, beginning with vandalism and theft from churches and culminating in a series of church arsons. The episode details specific incidents, including the burning of Fantoft Church, and emphasizes the tragic loss of life that occurred as a result. The motivations behind these acts are explored, ranging from a symbolic rejection of Christianity and a desire to reclaim Norse paganism to a need for recognition and a "topping game" to prove authenticity within the scene. The segment also addresses the broader societal context of Norway, including its high standard of living, which ironically enabled such subcultures to flourish.
Finally, the episode touches upon the internal dynamics and ego clashes within the black metal scene, particularly between Varg Vikernis and Euronymous. The narrative suggests that while Euronymous was a central figurehead, he was not always actively involved in the more extreme actions, with individuals like Vikernis and Samoth of Emperor playing significant roles. The episode concludes by highlighting how the pursuit of notoriety and the propagation of a radical ideology ultimately led to severe real-world consequences, including murder, and ruined the lives of many involved, all while questioning the authenticity of their "evil" persona versus their reliance on societal structures.