Varg Vikernes speaks out against "Lords of Chaos"

[Black Winter Day]

Some Points:

-- When is something considered a gimmick and when is it considered creativity? What is the dividing line between the two? Ideology?

-- I wouldn't consider "Prometheus" to be anything close to Black Metal. It's more of a "kitchen sink" release that includes elements of death, black, prog, darkwave, etc.

-- Varg speaks about individuality playing a big role in BM. Is it possible to be able to discern one BM band from another (the ones thay play in the conservative style... you know what I mean)? Is there anything that separates one band from another? How many of them actually have a unique style (that you can tell apart from the others) and are not just doing what thousands have already done? I think this is what Varg was talking about.

-- I'd rather have a large number of CREATIVE black metal bands and have half of them succeed (the other half obviously failing) than to have 80% of them play the same riffs Darkthrone played 10 years ago. The cream rises to the top instead of simple mediocrity... Anyone agree? (That is not to say that these new revolutionaries would not preserve the original characteristics of the genre.)

What does everyone think?

 

[Demonspell]

-- I'd rather have a large number of CREATIVE black metal bands and have half of them succeed (the other half obviously failing) than to have 80% of them play the same riffs Darkthrone played 10 years ago. The cream rises to the top instead of simple mediocrity... Anyone agree? (That is not to say that these new revolutionaries would not preserve the original characteristics of the genre.)

What does everyone think?

Absolutely, and that can be extended to every genre, even the most flawed experiments command more respect than stagnant replication...another question: does the emphasis on adhering to a strict ideology in black metal restrict creativity?

 

[Ayeka]

Am I the only person who think Varg is a very reasonable, intelligent man?

No, not at all.

I read this on the Burzum site about three or four years ago. Seems like the guy behind the book has a big hardon for Varg and trying to make him look bad. They went out of their way to do that in the liner notes for the Lords Of Chaos 2CD, big fuss about how that nasty spoilsport Varg wouldn't let them use his songs on their CD cos BM is "my pals music"! Seemed to forget that the album was supposed to be about Satanism in music, and anyone with half a brain knows Burzum has never had anything to do with that, so the man's if every right to refuse his music to appear on it. What the hell was Viking-era Bathory doing on that anyway?
The guy kicked up a fuss about it in an interview with Terrorizer too. Pansy

 

[Erik]

Hah

"Why yes, I would like my music to be made available on the soundtrack accompanying a book which wrongly, and without asking for my viewpoint, makes me look like an evil evil nazi satanist who's never done anything right in his entire life! You're welcome, use an entire fucking album, and write ENDORSED BY VARG "I EAT CHILDREN" VIKERNES on the cover!"

Thoughts on BWD's post later.

 

[spaffe]

Some Points:

-- Varg speaks about individuality playing a big role in BM. Is it possible to be able to discern one BM band from another (the ones thay play in the conservative style... you know what I mean)? Is there anything that separates one band from another? How many of them actually have a unique style (that you can tell apart from the others) and are not just doing what thousands have already done? I think this is what Varg was talking about.

what he was refering to, as i see it, is probably individuality on a personal and ideologial level, that in some cases lead to a more individual musical output

-- I'd rather have a large number of CREATIVE black metal bands and have half of them succeed (the other half obviously failing) than to have 80% of them play the same riffs Darkthrone played 10 years ago. The cream rises to the top instead of simple mediocrity... Anyone agree? (That is not to say that these new revolutionaries would not preserve the original characteristics of the genre.)

What does everyone think?

i don't care much for the crappy bands (obviously), but sure, it's pretty annoying to see your favourite genre horribly overpopulated and full of clueless kids/bands mimicking and copying. the good ones will eventually emerge, though it might take longer than it would have in a smaller scene

 

[Ayeka]

Hah

"Why yes, I would like my music to be made available on the soundtrack accompanying a book which wrongly, and without asking for my viewpoint, makes me look like an evil evil nazi satanist who's never done anything right in his entire life! You're welcome, use an entire fucking album, and write ENDORSED BY VARG "I EAT CHILDREN" VIKERNES on the cover!"