Out of print and in perfect condition.
Black Metal is a genre often maligned as overtly concerned with nihilism, destructiveness and an insular obsession with Satanism and aggressive nationalism. In reality, it is a constantly evolving vehicle for musically and ideologically progressive groups and artists, one that is increasingly forward thinking despite maintaining a purity of expression that is tied to the past. Black Metal: Beyond The Darkness is a contemporary reader on this musical genre and features a chronological historical overview of the genre's developments; insights into notable groups and records; interviews regarding DIY distribution, zines, record labels, peripheral industry individuals and shops; archival visual material; and a range of essays discussing Black Metal's inherent relationship with regionality, isolationist literature, fine art, sexuality, transcendentalism and theatrics, amongst other topics. Bands discussed include: Rotting Christ, Varathron, Ulver, Xasthur, Krieg, Graveland, Darkthrone, Wolves in the Throne Room, the associated artists of the French Les Legions Noires movement, Gorgoroth, Immortal, Opera IX, Mortuary Drape, Skyforger, Burzum, Weakling, Liturgy, Mayhem and Marduk. Illustrated with previously unseen archival photography, record covers, ephemera and other diverse aesthetic documentation of the genre, Black Metal: Beyond the Darkness includes newly commissioned essays by Nathan T Birk, journalist Louis Pattison, The Wire writer Nick Richardson, Jérôme Lefèvre and Diarmuid Hester, as well as newly prefixed texts by Pitchfork editor Brandon Stosuy and Hunter Hunt-Hendrix, alongside testimonials by groups and individuals including John "Metalion" Kristiansen, Ulver, Imperial, Trine + Kim Design Studio, Nicola Masciandaro and Jon "Thorns" Jamshid.