Directed
by Fredrik Horn Akselsen, Christian Falch. (2017, 83 min).
To
call black metal on the fringe is an understatement. Unremittingly
bleak, musically extreme and overtly satanic, it's a safe bet even
most hardcore metal fans consider it unlistenable noise. The genre
was born in the Norwegian underground over two decades ago, and for
the most part, that is where it has stayed.
Still,
while legends like Mayhem, Darkthrone and Gorgoroth
aren't exactly household names, the genre's influence did manage to
leak beyond its Nordic borders. Blackhearts is a fascinating documentary
that focuses primarily on three black metal artists from various
parts of the world, whose only dream is to travel to Norway and
perform where their music would be most appreciated. We get to know
them personally...life in their home countries, their influences and
what the music means to them personally.
Of
the three, Sina, a guitarist from Iran, is the most likable and
charming. Forbidden from performing black metal in his home country,
when he finally has the opportunity to play at a music festival in
Norway (and meet a few of his idols), his awestruck sincerity is
genuinely heartwarming, whether you're a fan of the genre or not.
Then there's Hector, a family man from Colombia, who not only loves
the genre, but has embraced Satan in his personal life; he and his
band, Lucifarian, even sell their souls in a black ritual in order to
afford the trip to Norway. Finally, we have Kaiadas, from Greece,
who's a member of the alt-right political party, Golden Dawn, and
gets arrested for criminal activities before the rest of his band
heads north to perform at a festival.
 |
| Getting into that Christmas spirit. |
We
also meet a few of the "godfathers" of black metal,
Nocturno Culto from Darkthrone and Arnt Gronbech from Keep of
Kalessin, both of whom are more humble and down-to-Earth than the
over-the-top, sinister image we typically associate with the genre.
They are also philosophical about the role black metal plays in their
own lives.
There
are plenty of music performances. None of them are likely to create any
converts, though one has to appreciate how technically -
not-to-mention physically - demanding this music is. I also have to
admit, though black metal isn't exactly my thing, Keep of Kalessin
was intriguing enough for me to check out more of their music (turns
out they're a damn good band).
It's
a cliche for artists of virtually any genre to publicly announce
"it's all about the music," which is easy to say when
you're famous and raking in millions. But black metal artists already
know they'll never be famous, never be millionaires, never accomplish
more than preaching to the choir in dark caverns during Norwegian winters. For them, it really is all
about the music, even if playing in a tiny room with six other happy
headbangers. Whether they're veterans or hopefuls, their dedication to their
craft is never in question. Even if one dismisses black metal as
unintelligible noise, Blackhearts is an enlightening and
entertaining look at a culture they probably know very little about.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
FEATURETTES:
"It's
All About Looking Good Onstage" - Obsidian C's workout regimen;
"He
Fought a Bear and Lost" - Interview with Darkthrone's Nocturno
Culto at 2015's Blastfest;
"White
Metal Ministry" - Interview with a Colombian pastor and black
metal musician; though the song remains the same, as they say, his
message is different.
EXTENDED
SCENE (of Hector's Satanic ritual)
2
MUSIC VIDEOS
TRAILER
KITTY CONSENSUS:
PURR-R-RAWR-RAWR-RAAAAHHH!
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