documentary review : Until The Light Takes Us (2009)

Rejoice black metalheads! Not many are interested in taking up the black metal scene as a subject on which a documentary/movie can be made, but Until The Light Takes Us is another valuable addition to the short list of black metal documentaries. Released in late-2009, the movie is based in Norway. It has musicians who lived through the early-nineties Norwegian period telling us exactly what happened then. I always repent the fact that I was not present at the right place at the right time. The movie has answered most of the prickly questions that I had accumulated in my mind concerning the scene. And the sources of my answers could not get more authentic.

The opening sequence has Gylve Fenriz (Darkthrone) preparing himself for a shot. And the best part of it is I can already feel the right vibes. The movie traces the entire journey from the roots of Norwegian black metal through the controversies that brought Norway to everyone’s attention back in the early nineties, the reason behind arson, and the truth behind the murder of Euronymous (Mayhem).

from the docu : fenriz

Why this documentary is different from the other documentaries out there? – the movement that we know today as the True Norwegian Black Metal includes a couple of events that we have always been reading about. If I have to summarize the events it would include the church burnings and hatred towards the protectors of cross, Euronymous (Mayhem) opening a records store called Helvete, Dead (Mayhem) committing suicide, the killing of a homosexual man by Faust (Emperor), and Varg murdering Euronymous. Until The Light Takes Us makes the protagonists recall the events. The featured artists are Varg Vikernes (Burzum), Fenriz (Darkthrone), Hellhammer (Mayhem), Abbath (Immortal), Demonaz (Immortal), Garm (Ulver), Frost (Satyricon), Bjarne Melgaard (visual artist).

from the docu : varg

For me this movie is special for a simple reason that Burzum has got maximum footage. We are taken inside the maximum security prison where Varg had been kept until he was released this year. I would want to thank the makers for bringing out the real Varg and most of all his sense of humor. A very pleasant personality his wit makes you want more of him. Moments when you get a chilling doze for your senses include the part where Burzum tells you how it is to stay confined for so long and ofcourse the uncanny silence when he confronts stabbing Euronymous in the skull.

the makers : aaron aites and audrey ewell

The documentary has been well directed by Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell and has a personal touch to it. The production has also been handled by the duo. Norway has been depicted as we know it to be, absolutely enchanting. Background score has to be fine as we are talking black metal here. The song that appears to be the theme track of the movie is The Ballad of the Broken Birdie Records by Múm. I remember looking for the track after the movie. Enough said, too much of praise tends to spoil the watch. Buy the movie, download it or just steal but it needs to be watched. Well if black metal is your thing then I bet you already have watched this one.

Rating : 4/5

Check out this article on the Flaming Skull E-Zine here : The Flaming Skull E-Zine : August 2010 issue

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Russian Sojourn #2 – Black & White

An Intoxicating Poll was conducted in the previous Russian Sojourn series, and the results till now make it clear that there are no teetotallers (or, almost negligible) visiting this place. That is a different level of relief, and I am unable to express the same here. Some Tuborg might come to the rescue.

Wish I knew about the Russian metal scene a little more than I do right now so I could write something. As of now not much has been spotted by skilled cameraman Gaurav out there. But I will make sure he will bump into something metal in Russia. And why am I hellbent – Burzum’s official site has been made in only two languages, English and Russian. Now that is enough reason to respect Russia, no?

What you see below is exactly how Russia is at the moment. Not that it is a cause of concern but I wonder who cleaned the other half of the car?

Expect some more stuff coming your way all the way from Russia. Lets hope we get some controversial pictures being clicked. But what remains a question is what exactly or how much exactly makes something controversial. I don’t know.

And If you still do not know how the Russian Sojourn series originated, you ought to click here : Origin of Russian Sojourn

Tomorrow is my day

I am taking a much needed break. Forecast for this weekend and the whole next week – escape Chennai. Heading to Bombay on the 25th, i.e. tomorrow. From my experience till now the industry I am part of is unrelenting. Got this break after slogging my ass for almost 4 months now.

Unfortunately I could not save up enough to fly back home. So its going to be one hell of a tiring train journey. Travelling long hours by train has its own advantages and disadvantages. Advantage – all through the journey this beverage termed tea is consumed in excess and at the end of the day you don’t pee you tea. Not funny ? That was stated as an advantage because a well made cup of tea turns me on. Disadvantage – you have a lot of free time which gives your mind enough reasons to think and that is exactly what I am trying to avoid, you do not feel like taking a dump for obvious reasons, and my iPod battery-life is only a couple of hours. Anyways, the rate at which Apple is going battery-free iPods don’t seem far.

What awaits me back home – family, friends and booze. Also Burzum’s next release Belus has leaked, so downloading the same is high on my agenda. Have to steal some time so I can visit Pune for a day to meet some friends. Amidst all this and against my wishes is the painful Holi and a day will get wasted as I cannot step out of the house.

Keeping everything aside, I am going to make the most of the forthcoming week as I know how it is going to be once I am back in Chennai. Its just not the place for me.

Chennai‘s had enough from me. For today. 24 hours to go. Bombay, tujha vadil kaun ?

Burzum – spell of frustration

"i am varg, no ?"

Just when I thought Burzum could do some peaceful farming in his hometown Telemark, Norway and get back to making music after serving about 18 years imprisonment, I read somewhere that a movie is being made based on him. ahem !

Burzum has influenced most of what I feel about black metal and it was roughly six years back when I played his album det som engang var. He was one of the first I heard in black metal (its a fight between him and Ancient), and I can never get over his music. What ever it is that he is associated with, for me he remains that teenager who gave me some insane metal. He had to be possessed by an evil spirit to make music like that. And I wish The Crying Orc was a never ending track. Ain’t it ?

bored of chaos !

Now that he is finally out, he is going to have a hard time struggling to stay out of limelight. Nowthat he is no longer a teenager. But from the looks of it that day is not too far when Burzum would want to get back to jail (this time with family) and spend some more peaceful time after being exposed to what is happening on the other side of prison !

Talking about the movie that is being made, Jackson Rathbone (from Twilight) is apparently playing Varg which will be based on a book named Lords Of Chaos. The makers should know there are other ways of making money than touching a subject they obviously do not know. To begin with deciding to drop this idea would be great. The book in question has been shunned by Burzum as being full of crap. So if the makers are reading this, beware - Burzum is once again a free man !

pleasure to kill !

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and I will not be Resurrected