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How did the black metal community become so fascinated with Tolkien?
I get it on a certain level. For one, "The Lord of the Rings" is one of the greatest works of fantasy of all time. Second, there is a very obvious Nordic influence on the cultures of Middle Earth. But what confuses me is this: Tolkien was well-known as a devout Roman Catholic, and was firmly opposed to Nazism, anti-Semitism and racism. Let's also not forget that, despite the power of Mordor, Sauron ultimately falls to the forces of Light -- not exactly the most inspiring work for the most evil musical style ever. Yet, the black metal community, many of whose members hold diametrically opposite beliefs, still celebrate his work, be it in the subject matter of songs or band/musician names (Gorgoroth, Grishnackh). If there are any black metal musicians or fans on here (the ones who have the kind of politics the scene is well known for), I'd like to know: do you just choose to ignore Tolkien's personal politics and focus on his creativity and assimilation of Nordic culture in LotR, or is there some other reason for the Tolkien fandom?
4 Answers
- 7 years agoFavorite Answer
I know Varg Vikernes got into it because when he was a kid he grew up with fantasy role-playing games and anyone into that will get into LotR. Burzum, as a result, was a massive example for other black metal bands to follow. So there's that.
Also I think black metal is inherently misanthropic. The fans/musicians see the world, they don't like it, the people, the **** we face. In LotR things are different. Things like valour, honour, etc. seem to be exhaled. The imagery. Also Tolkien used a lot of things from Nordic mythology (and black metal was invented by Nordic people). So there's that as well. That's what I think.
It doesn't matter that Tolkien was Christian. LotR isn't about Christianity. Sure, maybe some general tropes that could apply to scripture (like Gandalf's resurrection) but otherwise it features very common themes not exclusive to Christianity.
Finally, you don't necessarily need to like the person who made something you like. I really hate Christianity but I'm a Tolkien fan. I'm also a massive Burzum fan but I think Varg is a creepy weirdo and not all right in the head. So yeah, I ignore Tolkien's christianity because he doesn't make it prominent in any way in his fiction.
- ?Lv 77 years ago
Lot of them are Scandinavian or Finnish (there's a difference if you ask them). Tolkien leaned heavily on the Kalevala and Norse Eddas/Viking Myth for his Middle-earthlian tales, peoples and languages.
LOTR in particular, and The Silmarillion are probably more well know in those countries that anywhere else....Not surprising that there would be some type of influence in a few circles.
And since there is NO religion in the books (other than a few 'Elereth Gilthoniel's blurted out), and the obvious right and wrong, dark and light ties to Tolkien's own influences.....People seem to pick out what they want from all of it. These people (and I know a couple) chose the dark side of that world, and pay homage to it in their names, titles and music content.
It IS MOST incongruent.
- ?Lv 77 years ago
Having read the books when I was a teen (in the 70's) I knew of Tolkian long before I knew what Black Metal even was.
Whether "The Lord of the Rings" is the greatest work of fantasy of all time is debatable, personally I like "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" more, they just haven't made it into a movie yet.
- 7 years ago
Infernus said it was because at that time he was into the Tolkian fantasy, so he felt like Gorgoroth would be a good name for this project, since in the Literature of Tolkian the meaning of Gorgoroth represented evil and darkness and fear of the darkness in the mordor world... But he said he is no longer is into it... their is interview with him in 2010 where he talks about it with black suicide... I listen to Black metal not as much into Fantasy literature but do get into Norse mythology, I think it is by the person, it like Mercyful Fate song Egypt, King diamond is very much into occult theme songs and occult/ satanism... Many metal bands have a lot of Mythology themes within songs but doesn't always reflect their views of the world or them.. But also not Knowing most of these people in person, you can only go by what they say in interviews..
