Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground

THIS BOOK HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE MAKING, AND IS THE RESULT of collaborations both close-at-hand and long distance. Most of the interviews with the Norwegians in the book were done in person in the fall of 1995 by myself, assisted and abetted by my co-author, Didrik Søderlind. Most were conducted in English, which should explain the occasionally awkward turn-of-phrase from some of our subjects. However, like the Scandinavians in general, their usage of English is often frighteningly superior to the average American youth of today. A few of the interviews, with Lene Bore and Snorre Ruch most notably, were done in Norwegian and translated by Didrik Søderlind. More recently in 1997 he also conducted the interviews with Asbjørn Dyrendal, Katrine Fangen, Henrik Lunde, Martin Alvsvåg, Ketil Sveen, Per Anders Nordengen, Kjetil Wiedswang, and Willy Kobbhaug.

The remaining interviews were all conducted by myself, either by phone or mail, during the period of 1995–97. The bulk of the book was written and organized by myself, with important editorial contributions from Didrik. A few key sections of the book were written by him, specifically the material on the religious/social situation in Norway, and the current trends in political extremism there. The descriptions of the Helvete shop were also written by Didrik, much of it based on his own recollections from the period, having met and spoken with Øystein Aarseth a number of times.

We have provided endnotes which attempt to document as many of the statements in this book as was humanly possible. The citations are as detailed as we were able to make them. We were unable to track down the exact date of a few newspaper or fanzine articles, especially the latter which were often provided to us in the form of photocopies. There is also a lengthy bibliography comprised of both general works and specifically cited works which were crucial to our effort.

There are a multitude of friends and acquaintances who have contributed to this book in some manner, and hopefully I will have remembered them all below. My apologies to anyone who has been overlooked.

An initial and sincere word of thanks is due to my good friend Peter Sotos, at whose suggestive encouragement many years ago I first began to investigate much of the material which later wound up documented in these pages. Likewise to editor and publisher Adam Parfrey, who supported its development into a full-length book. Beyond his aforementioned contributions, my co-author Didrik Søderlind provided assistance in too many other ways to count, as well as hospitality and generosity during my weeks in Norway. My parents also deserve thanks for their help and support of this endeavor in numerous ways. Gratitude is due to this book’s designer Sean Tejaratchi for his putting his invaluable and indelible visual stamp on the appearance of its cover and contents.

Those who consented to be interviewed during my visit to Norway deserve special thanks: Varg Vikernes, Lene Bore, Simen Midgaard (also for permission to reprint his fine article on “Satanism in Norway”), Pål Mathiesen, Ihsahn and Samoth of Emperor, Snorre Ruch, Bård Eithun, and Metalion. Thanks are due as well to the helpful liaisons at the Ila, Ullersmo, and Tønsberg prisons.

Sincere thanks to Elden M. for allowing me to use his interview with Abaddon of Venom; to Finn Bjørn Tønder for permission to reproduce his revealing Bergens Tidende interview with Varg Vikernes; to Kadmon for the kind permission to reprint his excellent “Oskorei” essay; to David Walsten for permission to reprint his Fantoft Stave Church photos; to Nihil for generous access to some of his vast photographic archives; likewise to Samoth, Bård Eithun, Hendrik and Wolf Möbus, Rikke Lundgreen, Metalion, Lene Bore, and Rayshele Teige for providing photographs.

Others who were interviewed and/or provided crucial insight or information without which this book would be vastly inferior include: Anton LaVey and Blanche Barton, Hendrik Möbus, Jan Axel Blomberg, Erik and Garm of Ulver, King Diamond, M.W. Daoloth, Quorthon, Kerry Bolton, “Gungnir,” Johnny Hedlund, Dani from Cradle of Filth, Asbjørn Dyrendal (and for permission to quote at length from his incisive report “Media Constructions of ‘Satanism’ in Norway”), Willy Kobbhaug, Larry King of the Ft. Myers Sheriff ’s Dept., Henrik Lunde, and Katrine Fangen.

Invaluable suggestions, material, or other assistance was provided by: R.N. Taylor and Karen Taylor, Tiziana Stupia, Jan Rune Bruun, David Thomas, Linn and Hugo Lundhaug, Andrea Meyer, Anne Bergestrand, Mårten Björkman, Torsten Cornils, Matt Ward, Eric Stenflo, George Petros and Steve Blush at Seconds, Robert Ward, Jim Goad, Peter Gilmore and Peggy Nadramia, Carl Abrahamsson, Josh Buckley, Donovan Ives, Pascal Schubert, Werner Linke, Paula Hogan at Fierce Records, Sophie Diamantis at Roadrunner Records, Rayshele Teige at Osmose USA, Marco Barbieri, Stephen O’Malley, Chad Hensley, Ed Balog, Neil Sceeny, Ben Solis, Carrie Petersen, “Wolf ” of Burznazg Productions, Paul Thind and Necropolis Records, Moribund Records, and Thomas Thorn.

Deepest gratitude is due to Cornelia Moynihan and especially Annabel Lee for taking considerable time to read and offer suggestions to the manuscript. Their thoughtful criticisms laid the basis for essential improvements in the final book.

For suggestions and contributions that have helped to improve the new edition, we would like to thank Stephen Flowers, Max Fredriksson, Tyler Davis, Kola Krauze, Jürgen Bäuerle, Stephan Pockrandt, Timo Kölling, Timo Kötter, Thor Wanzek, Martin Kreischer, Melanie Aschenbrenner, Martin Köller, and Christoph Dzur. Didrik extends gratitude to Ike Vil and Antti Litmanen from the Babylon Whores for help with lodging in Helsinki and translation of articles, and also to Tania Stene for lodging in Trondheim.

Last but not least, for the new edition we thank Jacob Jervell, Mattias Gardell, Michael Rothstein, Asbjørn Slettemark, Merja Hermonen, Per Bangsund, Eivind Eckbo, and Yorck Eysel for their interviews.