Inevitably, there are artists whose inclusion in Black Metal Revolution would bolster interest in the project and while I am bewitched enough by their potential involvement to pursue the opportunity, there are occasions when I find myself satisfied with a rejection. If that sounds retarded, chances are you think the whole BMR project is, but if you find yourself intrigued by this concept, read on and I will elaborate.
The most obvious individual connected to this thinking is Varg Vikernes. Having sworn allegiance to Burzum as far back as '94 I know I'm not alone in recognizing Vikernes as a unique entity. Unlike the almost exclusive majority of the book's participants, it's almost as though the "influence" for his music came from anything but other metal bands. When Varg was quoted as saying, "I see Burzum as a dream without holds in reality. It is to stimulate the fantasy of mortals, to make them dream," I have to say that I found and still find inspiration in that statement. It's not an absurd declaration of arrogance or alienation from the herd; it resounds for me as a true intimation of the spirit and sound of Burzum as coming from somewhere "else" - not simply from the grooves of a contemporaries' record...
Prior to contacting the now readily contactable Vikernes I had already considered the approach as a futile one. The fact I became haunted by the possibility he may agree to do it gave me poise to think it worth putting out there, even if I felt I already knew how the response would read. What did encourage me to finally make contact was the notion that I couldn't recall any interviews where Varg actively spoke about other bands or records that he had been inspired by. I imagined something "exclusive" in a sense... almost wondering if I'd be the first person to even approach him about wider aspects of his music - especially after 1993. Though I had interviewed Vikernes for Heresy #3 (approx '98) I too was guilty of revelling in the knowledge that a figure such as this had grander and more topical concerns to discuss than records spun as a teenager. And who is going to argue with that? Granted, my interview targeted his electro-ambient music above everything else, but...
I called up a few old interviews when I started writing this and beyond his known associations - Darkthrone, Immortal and his passion for Bathory, I wasn't able to locate much that referenced the primordial essence of Burzum - at least where his BM output is concerned. And though I think 'Hlidskjalf' and 'Daudi Baldr's' are interesting enough, it is the '91 - '93 period that sets my spirit aflame! Vikernes revealed many of those electro artists who had made an impression on him in an interview with <a href="http://www.burzum.com/burzum/library/interviews/sounds_of_death_5/" target=_"blank">SOD Magazine</a> back in '95 and I guess by this time, discussing Black Metal had ceased to be a detail of interest for him, nor was it a point to probe for those seeking interviews.
In the end, I'm glad he elected not to write a piece for BMR. I have no specific idea as to where Burzum came from, and I'm content in that space...
Showing posts with label Bathory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bathory. Show all posts
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Black Metal Revolution - A Question Of Duplicates
Black Metal Revolution Blog #3 - Originally posted at Metal Maniacs March 13th, 2010
For those of you who may not of heard of this project, Black Metal Revolution is a forthcoming book that will profile a series of black metal musicians and artists from across the ages discussing their most revered black metal record.
The approach is as subjective as you will and the goal is to capture the personal experience of the person writing as well as something of the essence they have drawn from the record in question.
Take a look at a selection of previews from the book to gain a better idea by clicking here.
A question I have found myself answering a lot of late is one pertaining to duplicate entries. The answer is yes, there will be duplicate submissions. Can you really imagine only one person wanting to write about ‘Under The Sign Of The Black Mark’? Naturally, I can’t have a book filled with 200 commentaries on Bathory, so I have to cap it somewhere, but the idea of the book is not for people to find records that they alone can write about; rather, the point is for the artist writing to express for the readers just what it is that the record they are writing about means to them.
When you think about it, even the greatest records hold zero significance if people don’t listen to them and neglect to bestow acclaim onto them. Without getting into debate as to what even constitutes “the greatest”, the book is looking to hear from people who have themselves made contributions, be they musical or artistic, and what it is that makes their most revered records the cult classics they believe them to be. So if five people wrote about ‘Under The Sign Of The Black Mark’ ideally those five experiences are different and engaging enough to inspire readers as well as providing insights into the authors of the piece. While a select few exclusives have been granted, it’s not something I want to do too much of and on a case by case basis this will continually be assessed.
The other peril of course with granting exclusives is that the opportunity to write about your most acclaimed record may be lost. An individual enamoured with the book’s idea and concept sees that ‘Fallen Angel Of Doom’ has already been written about. Are they not to be included? Is the assumption to be made that whoever got to it first proffered an all encompassing essay on this opus? The answer is NO! The way that certain records inspire and are seen as revolutionary is dependent on more than existence alone. What lurks within the grooves of these illustrious platters is something potentially unique for all who indulge.
I mentioned earlier the inclusion of musicians and artists. I am really blown away to reveal that I received a piece from none other than Joe Petagno this week. A really killer offering on none other than Bathory. For those unfamiliar with Joe, check out a troupe called Motorhead and you’ll get an idea of what’s Joe’s art is all about. And in addition to that, Dennis Dread has recently revealed the new Darkthrone cover as well as his acceptance of our invitation to be part of the book.
For more on these amazing artists:
Joe Petagno's official site
Dennis Dread's official site
For those of you who may not of heard of this project, Black Metal Revolution is a forthcoming book that will profile a series of black metal musicians and artists from across the ages discussing their most revered black metal record.
The approach is as subjective as you will and the goal is to capture the personal experience of the person writing as well as something of the essence they have drawn from the record in question.
Take a look at a selection of previews from the book to gain a better idea by clicking here.
A question I have found myself answering a lot of late is one pertaining to duplicate entries. The answer is yes, there will be duplicate submissions. Can you really imagine only one person wanting to write about ‘Under The Sign Of The Black Mark’? Naturally, I can’t have a book filled with 200 commentaries on Bathory, so I have to cap it somewhere, but the idea of the book is not for people to find records that they alone can write about; rather, the point is for the artist writing to express for the readers just what it is that the record they are writing about means to them.
When you think about it, even the greatest records hold zero significance if people don’t listen to them and neglect to bestow acclaim onto them. Without getting into debate as to what even constitutes “the greatest”, the book is looking to hear from people who have themselves made contributions, be they musical or artistic, and what it is that makes their most revered records the cult classics they believe them to be. So if five people wrote about ‘Under The Sign Of The Black Mark’ ideally those five experiences are different and engaging enough to inspire readers as well as providing insights into the authors of the piece. While a select few exclusives have been granted, it’s not something I want to do too much of and on a case by case basis this will continually be assessed.
The other peril of course with granting exclusives is that the opportunity to write about your most acclaimed record may be lost. An individual enamoured with the book’s idea and concept sees that ‘Fallen Angel Of Doom’ has already been written about. Are they not to be included? Is the assumption to be made that whoever got to it first proffered an all encompassing essay on this opus? The answer is NO! The way that certain records inspire and are seen as revolutionary is dependent on more than existence alone. What lurks within the grooves of these illustrious platters is something potentially unique for all who indulge.
I mentioned earlier the inclusion of musicians and artists. I am really blown away to reveal that I received a piece from none other than Joe Petagno this week. A really killer offering on none other than Bathory. For those unfamiliar with Joe, check out a troupe called Motorhead and you’ll get an idea of what’s Joe’s art is all about. And in addition to that, Dennis Dread has recently revealed the new Darkthrone cover as well as his acceptance of our invitation to be part of the book.
For more on these amazing artists:
Joe Petagno's official site
Dennis Dread's official site
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