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Partly for his love of metal and partly because he’s fascinated by the violent history and extreme nature of the Norwegian black metal scene, New York-based photographer Peter Beste spent close to seven years hopping back and forth to Norway in order to shoot some of the scene’s most influential and interesting personalities. His just-released book, True Norwegian Black Metal (Vice Books), chronicles the time he spent there.
What sparked the idea for the book?
I grew up on metal. I read all these really insane accounts of everything that was going on in Norway in the 90s, with church arsons and all that. I was really drawn to it because there seemed to be more cultural significance and such a heavy influence of old Norse and pagan mythology. I found that really fascinating: they’re drawing from Norway’s ancient history, using that and heavy metal to fight back against Christianity, which is a pretty priceless combination.
A lot of these guys aren’t known to be really friendly people. How did you get them to agree to be photographed?
They’re definitely not approachable. It was a long process I started via e-mail in 2000, and then I met Marduk, Dimmu Borgir and Gorgoroth when they came to the States. I took a few photos, e-?mailed them the results, and they were into it. I’d go for long periods of time just hanging out with these guys it was kind of an organic process.
Did anyone flat-out refuse?
Varg (Vikernes, of Burzum). He wants nothing to do with black metal and wrote me a letter saying he thinks sewer rats deserve more attention than low-talent black metal musicians.
How do you hope the book is received?
The book isn’t meant to be a history of black metal it’s more my journey through it all. It’s about seeing into the lives of these guys – their onstage and their private personae. Maybe you just see them a little bit more as individuals. I’m not trying to de-mystify them.
Any concern that people might only come away with an ironic appreciation of the music?
I think that’s unavoidable because the guys take themselves so seriously. There is a comic element to it. Although I have great respect for all the people involved, you’d be missing the point if you didn’t see a little humour in a 35-year-old guy wearing Viking-attire and face paint.
