Lords of Chaos

I do not want to be overreacting but for a long time I was looking forward to someone who would film a story about all those Norwegian Black Metalists who are responsible for all those fires in their churches and for all the disgust, hatred and fear which swept over people during the 1990s. And all of that just because of – although it depends – music. Finally, Jonas Akerlund was the one who achieved it. At first he dazzled me with his great music videos just to eventually film this story. Notorious and just for effect, but the story itself is just a perfect fit. Moreover, he chose the actors brilliantly. Mainly Rory Culkin introduced himself greatly! On top of that it is interesting that the locals still stick to nihilism, and therefore there are not many musical performances where I could listen to those metal gems. On the other hand, it was Sigur Rós who took care of the soundtrack and I would say that those nostalgic tunes of theirs are a perfect fit to the theme such as this. For me it was a musical experience of the year. I am unable to call it anything else. Totally mind-blowing. A lot better than the movie Dirt about Mötley Crüe. I am just unable to decide which of those is more pretentious... (29/12/2019)

Previously unfamiliar with the cultural and historic events depicted in the film, I was quite surprised to see the madness and the resulting behaviour that can be committed by people who go overboard with strong opinions and try to break the conventions at any cost. In this respect, Lords of Chaos transcends the boundaries of purely biographical music films and stands as a mirror for a generation that, in ’90s Norway, was at the genesis of a musical genre, set fire to medieval churches, stabbed opponents in the back and loathed everything and everyone – especially posers. Great performance by Rory Culkin. [Sitges 2018] (19/10/2018)

A complete grasp of the unique microcosm of the early 90s Norwegian black metal scene, which even retains that true BM ethos by constantly tearing down idols and giving the finger to all who kowtow to authority figures, black metal or otherwise. What's more, the film offers an unusually ambivalent experience, where practically no one is right or wrong. Some are full of talk about the creating the most evil scene in the world, only to bite their lip when they slice their bread. Some are burning churches and killing people, but only to follow the lead of Euronymus. The character who makes the most sense is the one who cuts himself to pieces and blows his head off. Plus, Åkerlund's dirty, miserable style that creates heroes almost by accident fits the theme perfectly. The singer Famine has a photo of himself in blackface on his new Peste Noire album, and since he knows that pisses people off, Åkerlund cast a Jewish youth as the renowned ultra-rightist. Shut-ins on all sides are rupturing their cocks. Fuck off and die. Black metal. P.S.: There will be comparisons to the devotional and universally loved mess Bohemian Rhapsody. (06/03/2019)

I like metal, but this Norwegian offshoot definitely hasn’t won me over as a fan, just like I probably wouldn’t be impressed by Mayhem eau de toilette with an extract from a decomposing carcass. I was amused at how often the Black Circle used the word poser in a scornful way. That was hilarious. The film was not badly made at all, I just wished its creators had focused more on the real events. Then again, I was warned right at the outset, and I have only myself to blame, since I kept on watching. (06/05/2019)