Photographer Peter Beste spent the last several years documenting the black-metal scene in Norway, infamous for its extreme fans, horror movie blood lust, and the occasional case of arson and murder. Beste documents the members of the Norwegian metal community, whose costumes include bloodied face pain, spiked weapons, and black leather. Most of the images are based around the communities’ pagan mythology, which is the central theme in the artists’ stage shows. Though the freshly severed sheep heads and nude crucified teenagers painted in sheep’s blood provide a wild shock, the most interesting photos are those that place the fans and musicians in context. A longhaired head-banger plays air guitar in his bedroom. A driver in face pain parks a shitty station wagon, while others explore moss-covered ancient forests in costume. Devotees of the genre will appreciate the carefully researched “Norwegian Black Metal Timeline” as well as the pages from early metal zines and old Slayer concert flyers.
True Norwegian Black Metal: Photogrpahy by Peter Beste
Edited by Johan Kugelberg
Hardcover, 208 pages, $60, Vice Books
– Chris Force