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Editorial Reviews
Until The Light Takes Us tells the story of black metal. Part music scene and part cultural uprising, black metal rose to worldwide notoriety in the mid-nineties when a rash of suicides, murders, and church burnings accompanied the explosive artistic growth and output of a music scene that would forever redefine what heavy metal is and what it stands for to other musicians, artists and music fans world-wide. The Film goes behind the highly sensationalized media reports of "Satanists running amok in Europe" to examine the complex and largely misunderstood principles and beliefs of the scene.
This double disc includes -
36 minute Black Metal short film,
Alternate ending,
Outtakes, More deleted scenes and a 45 minute class on the history of metal with Fenriz.
This double disc includes -
36 minute Black Metal short film,
Alternate ending,
Outtakes, More deleted scenes and a 45 minute class on the history of metal with Fenriz.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By tokyo111
Format:DVD
Directors Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell have done something remarkable here: They made an artful, thoughtful documentary about a potentially lurid subject.
In the '80s and '90s, a scary, primitive subgenre of heavy metal took root in wealthy, beautiful Norway. How and why Black Metal was created, and how it suddenly exploded into a media frenzy as some of its practitioners started burning down churches and committing murders... that's what this film explores.
But it's all somehow handled with restraint, and mainly from the point of view of the musicians themselves. There are interviews with many of the main players in Norway's black metal scene, including the infamous and eerily charming Varg Vikernes from his dorm-like prison cell, but there's very little performance footage here -- it's not a "rock documentary" in that sense. In fact in a way "Until The Light" unfolds more like an art film. To the filmmakers, Black Metal is an opportunity to explore how artistic intent and meaning gets re-interpreted and twisted by culture and media. It's the ultimate post-modern tale.
That said, the film is gripping, full of fascinating and contradictory characters. The soundtrack features hushed electronica by bands like Mum, the cinematography swings between gritty handheld stuff and composed naturescapes... it's an unusual atmosphere for a documentary. If you're into Black Metal you're going to watch this movie anyway, but indie movie lovers should give it a spin too.
In the '80s and '90s, a scary, primitive subgenre of heavy metal took root in wealthy, beautiful Norway. How and why Black Metal was created, and how it suddenly exploded into a media frenzy as some of its practitioners started burning down churches and committing murders... that's what this film explores.
But it's all somehow handled with restraint, and mainly from the point of view of the musicians themselves. There are interviews with many of the main players in Norway's black metal scene, including the infamous and eerily charming Varg Vikernes from his dorm-like prison cell, but there's very little performance footage here -- it's not a "rock documentary" in that sense. In fact in a way "Until The Light" unfolds more like an art film. To the filmmakers, Black Metal is an opportunity to explore how artistic intent and meaning gets re-interpreted and twisted by culture and media. It's the ultimate post-modern tale.
That said, the film is gripping, full of fascinating and contradictory characters. The soundtrack features hushed electronica by bands like Mum, the cinematography swings between gritty handheld stuff and composed naturescapes... it's an unusual atmosphere for a documentary. If you're into Black Metal you're going to watch this movie anyway, but indie movie lovers should give it a spin too.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ok, the movie is great, I have no qualms with it at all. This is more about the limited edition 2-disc version I just pulled out from my box (hehe) and viewed, listened to, touched, smelled, and would taste if that wasn't totally uncanny.
The DVDs are beautifully packaged, in what appears to be a newer type of plastic clamp system (instead of popping the disc out, you go "down and up"). DO NOT FORCE THE DISC OUT NO MATTER HOW EXCITED YOU MAY BE TO HEAR FENRIZ TALK FOR AN HOUR. You will break it. While the package is minimalist and sleek, it is constructed almost completely out of paperboard, so wear and damage over time is a possiblilty. The artwork, however, is breathtaking - the disc covers resemble little Polish paper cuts, or the cover of an Agalloch album (think slate purples and grays, with black animal silhouettes). A very informative booklet sits inside without any individual housing pocket.
One of the greatest things about recieving this was that there was a sticker on the shrinkwrap stating "4 Extra Hours of Black Metal." How often does one see that? While some of the extras are neat, like most cutting room slag, the viewer understands why it was left behind. The extra footage is wonderfully organized by band, so fans can navigate through what they want to see easily. BTW there was a TON of Enslaved and Ulver footage that didn't make it in (lame). We also get to see Fenriz create a "History of Black Metal" bubble chart on a chalkboard, but alas being raw footage it is incredibly lengthy and at times boring.
Of course metalheads around the world have been yapping on about "Until the Light Takes Us" for the months prior and after its release, but this movie is so artfully and cleanly done that I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in music subculture and, without thinking this a stretch, world cultures.
The DVDs are beautifully packaged, in what appears to be a newer type of plastic clamp system (instead of popping the disc out, you go "down and up"). DO NOT FORCE THE DISC OUT NO MATTER HOW EXCITED YOU MAY BE TO HEAR FENRIZ TALK FOR AN HOUR. You will break it. While the package is minimalist and sleek, it is constructed almost completely out of paperboard, so wear and damage over time is a possiblilty. The artwork, however, is breathtaking - the disc covers resemble little Polish paper cuts, or the cover of an Agalloch album (think slate purples and grays, with black animal silhouettes). A very informative booklet sits inside without any individual housing pocket.
One of the greatest things about recieving this was that there was a sticker on the shrinkwrap stating "4 Extra Hours of Black Metal." How often does one see that? While some of the extras are neat, like most cutting room slag, the viewer understands why it was left behind. The extra footage is wonderfully organized by band, so fans can navigate through what they want to see easily. BTW there was a TON of Enslaved and Ulver footage that didn't make it in (lame). We also get to see Fenriz create a "History of Black Metal" bubble chart on a chalkboard, but alas being raw footage it is incredibly lengthy and at times boring.
Of course metalheads around the world have been yapping on about "Until the Light Takes Us" for the months prior and after its release, but this movie is so artfully and cleanly done that I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in music subculture and, without thinking this a stretch, world cultures.
18 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By K.I.B.
Format:Blu-ray
When I was a fifteen year old punk growing up in Austin, Texas, this thing called the internet completely changed the mode through which I, and so many others like me, were exposed to new music. I know that Burzum and Darkthrone weren't creating their art with teenagers in the sunny suburbs of Texas who wore NOFX t-shirts, smoked pot, and waited anxiously for somebody to beat the LA Lakers in mind. But, unfortunately for those guys, and fortunately for the legion of like-minded American youngsters, they were that damned intriguing that we took notice...and we had a hard time looking away.
Here is the interesting part; that was 1999-2000, so these Black Metallers from their tucked away corner of the globe were already entering their second decade as bands...or inmates. Fast forward eleven more years to 2010 and we have overpriced picture books, parody albums, guest appearances, American kvlts, and even a few documentary films.
"Until the Light Takes Us" is a lot of things, but most importantly it is NOT a journalistic expose into "the intriguing and mysterious world of Black Metal". If anything, thank Odin, this film is a subtle middle finger to all those "pieces" that attempt to either exploit atrocity or over-intellectualize. For too long outsiders, like myself, have had unauthorized license to make BM into what they want it to be. But behind the veiled mystery are real people, real cultures, real history. Black Metal wasn't spewed from hell upon us, it came about under very real circumstances. "Until the Light Takes Us" puts those real people and circumstances side-by-side with the BS'ers who think they understand.
Through the words and actions of Fenriz (Darkthrone)and Varg Vikernes (Burzum, Mayhem), the audience is granted a most authentic look at two of the men behind this whole black metal thing. I don't want to delve too far into the different attitudes and impressions of these two, as they've been pigeon-holed too much already. I will say, however, that it is refreshing to see and hear these two rather than listen to narrators and record execs further remove them from who they are.
The strongest quality of "Until the Light Takes Us" is the lack of narrator. Because of this factor the audience is able to watch the life of Fenriz and the story of Varg unfold at their own pace. We are not told the same story through the same newspaper clippings and stock photos as we always have been. What we see are two men remembering, coping with, and continuing on with the legacy of a small collective of bands that exploded into something beyond their control.
As a fan of both black metal and documentaries, I was prepared to bash this film, and for twenty minutes of it was disappointed. It wasn't until I realized how much I liked Fenriz and Varg (not as FRIENDS, but as SUBJECTS) that I began to really enjoy it. "Until the Light..." misses the mark in a few places, especially in it's failure to bring up Emperor. But overall it is a very enjoyable and, dare I say, pleasant film to watch. Four stars.
One last item; the ambivalence the film shows toward's Frost (Satyricon)as he makes some rather bold choices with his credibility is quite laudable. The filmmakers let the viewer chose whether to be entertained or disgusted. In other hands, Frost's portrayal would of been outright defamation.
Here is the interesting part; that was 1999-2000, so these Black Metallers from their tucked away corner of the globe were already entering their second decade as bands...or inmates. Fast forward eleven more years to 2010 and we have overpriced picture books, parody albums, guest appearances, American kvlts, and even a few documentary films.
"Until the Light Takes Us" is a lot of things, but most importantly it is NOT a journalistic expose into "the intriguing and mysterious world of Black Metal". If anything, thank Odin, this film is a subtle middle finger to all those "pieces" that attempt to either exploit atrocity or over-intellectualize. For too long outsiders, like myself, have had unauthorized license to make BM into what they want it to be. But behind the veiled mystery are real people, real cultures, real history. Black Metal wasn't spewed from hell upon us, it came about under very real circumstances. "Until the Light Takes Us" puts those real people and circumstances side-by-side with the BS'ers who think they understand.
Through the words and actions of Fenriz (Darkthrone)and Varg Vikernes (Burzum, Mayhem), the audience is granted a most authentic look at two of the men behind this whole black metal thing. I don't want to delve too far into the different attitudes and impressions of these two, as they've been pigeon-holed too much already. I will say, however, that it is refreshing to see and hear these two rather than listen to narrators and record execs further remove them from who they are.
The strongest quality of "Until the Light Takes Us" is the lack of narrator. Because of this factor the audience is able to watch the life of Fenriz and the story of Varg unfold at their own pace. We are not told the same story through the same newspaper clippings and stock photos as we always have been. What we see are two men remembering, coping with, and continuing on with the legacy of a small collective of bands that exploded into something beyond their control.
As a fan of both black metal and documentaries, I was prepared to bash this film, and for twenty minutes of it was disappointed. It wasn't until I realized how much I liked Fenriz and Varg (not as FRIENDS, but as SUBJECTS) that I began to really enjoy it. "Until the Light..." misses the mark in a few places, especially in it's failure to bring up Emperor. But overall it is a very enjoyable and, dare I say, pleasant film to watch. Four stars.
One last item; the ambivalence the film shows toward's Frost (Satyricon)as he makes some rather bold choices with his credibility is quite laudable. The filmmakers let the viewer chose whether to be entertained or disgusted. In other hands, Frost's portrayal would of been outright defamation.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
So dark and lovely
One of my fave documentaries... Varg Vikernes is astonishing and so incredibly intelligent it's almost frightening. Huge fan of black metal!
Published 4 days ago by Fatima Joaquim
2.0 out of 5 stars
groan
These guys are just others in a long line of people that think there values are "the truth", better, and more logical than other people's "lies". Read more
Published 24 days ago by no thanks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intense documentary.
First of all, I am not a fan of this style of music or anything. I just watch a bunch of music documentaries regardless of genre. Read more
Published 1 month ago by William F. Terrance Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Product was at my house in no time also in great shape! Exactly what i wanted. Def worth the money!
Published 2 months ago by Jenova
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not my cup of tea
This documentary told me enough about the subject for me to tell that I don't really want to know much more about it... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lucas Shaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
A black metal-er must see...
Awesome documentary about the explosion of an underground "2cd wave" movement of black metal that hit Norway in the late 80's / early 90's... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Aphganihaze
3.0 out of 5 stars
Frost ~ Fine Art & Black Metal made this DVD worth it
I didn't expect this video to have so much Varg in it. However, if you fast forward through his prison rantings you will get to the most fascinating footage of the musician/artist... Read more
Published 2 months ago by An-Magrith Erlandsen
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing, incoherent documentary
Surely someone could make a very interesting documentary about Norwegian black metal. But this movie falls far short. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Doe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Three men and a church
This documentary is not what it seems. Sure, the backdrop is Norewegian Black Metal but the film is really a character study of some of the originators of this genre and their... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Daria N
5.0 out of 5 stars
true black metal
if you feel like your not alone after watching then you may be black metal. one of the greatest music documentaries i've ever seen
Published 4 months ago by the matador
