Tracing the Roots of Norwegian Black Metal – A Journey Through Legendary Sites

L7
Mar 28
5 min read

Norway is known for its dramatic landscapes and rich history — but for metal fans, it's also the birthplace of Black Metal. In the early '90s, a musical movement emerged here that was darker, more extreme, and more provocative than anything that came before it. Together with BR1, I set out on a journey to visit some of the most iconic locations tied to this scene — and, of course, to bring along a few essential vinyls.

Helvete – The Origin of Norwegian Black Metal

Our first stop in Oslo took us to one of the most legendary locations in Black Metal history: the former Helvete record shop.

From the outside, the place looks unremarkable — a narrow entrance tucked around the corner on a quiet street. It’s hard to imagine that in the early ’90s, the most radical metal scene in the world gathered right here. But this was the exact spot where Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth opened his record shop, and where bands like Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, and Emperor came together.

I took a photo in front of the door — the original entrance to Helvete. There’s no big sign marking its history today, but for those who know the story, this place holds immense significance.

Neseblod Records – The Legacy Lives On

Inside, Neseblod Records is a paradise for extreme music. The walls are covered with posters, records, and old fanzines. Everywhere you look, there are stacks of Black Metal vinyl, tapes, CDs, and shirts — from timeless classics to the most obscure underground releases.

One of the absolute highlights: original first pressings of Mayhem’s Deathcrush — the legendary mini-album that marked the birth of the Norwegian scene. The cover has a slightly pink tint, a printing variation found on some of the earliest copies, making them even rarer.

➡️ Vinyl Tip: Deathcrush – A historic document. If you want to feel the raw energy of early Black Metal, this is essential listening.

Among the records, we came across a true rarity: a signed hardcover edition of DØDSARKIV: Mayhem 1984–1994 by Jørn Stubberud (Necrobutcher), in Norwegian. This book is a real treasure trove for any Mayhem fan, packed with unpublished photos, flyers, letters, and memories from the band’s chaotic early years.

The Helvete Basement – Where It All Began

Eventually, we made our way downstairs — to the place where the darkest chapter of Black Metal began. The basement is still there, and on the wall, the famous "Black Metal" graffiti remains, originally written by Euronymous himself. This is where the musicians gathered, where the first ideas were forged, where a radical movement was born.

The atmosphere is hard to put into words. It’s easy to imagine how this dark, cramped space became the birthplace of a genre that still sparks controversy over 30 years later.

➡️ Vinyl Tip: De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas – The album that cemented Euronymous' legacy. A dark, flawless Black Metal revelation.

Ski – The Grave of Euronymous

From Oslo, we headed to Ski, a small town south of the capital. This is where Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth is buried — one of the most controversial and influential figures in Norwegian Black Metal.

His death in August 1993 marked a turning point for the scene. The murder, committed by Varg Vikernes (Burzum), remains one of the most infamous and darkest stories in metal history. But beyond the controversy, Euronymous was also a musician who helped define the sound of Black Metal through his work with Mayhem.

The cemetery itself is modest, and his grave is nearly indistinguishable from the others. No striking tributes, no mention of his past — and yet, for Black Metal fans around the world, it remains a place of pilgrimage.

Visiting his grave is a strange experience. The music he helped create lives on, and his influence is undeniable. Whether seen as a pioneer or a tragic figure, Euronymous remains one of the central icons of the scene.

➡️ Vinyl Tip: Mayhem, Morbid – A Tribute To The Black Emperors – Bootleg split featuring selected material from Euronymous' later era.

The Nidaros Cathedral – The Dark Heart of De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

We continued on to Trondheim, and without a doubt, one of the highlights of our journey was the Nidaros Cathedral.

This massive Gothic structure is Norway’s most important religious landmark — but for Black Metal fans, it holds a very different meaning. Mayhem chose it as the cover image for their album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, turning the cathedral into one of the most iconic visuals in the entire scene.

Why Nidaros, of all places?

Euronymous wanted the album cover to convey a dark, mystical aura. The cathedral’s architecture — with its Gothic towers and dark stone — perfectly matched the cold, occult atmosphere of the music. According to some accounts, Attila Csihar, the album’s vocalist, even traveled here to draw inspiration from the mood of the place.

Being there felt almost surreal. The cathedral is a massive structure, and with its gargoyles, statues, and dark ornamentation, it looks like something from another world — exactly the kind of atmosphere Mayhem aimed to capture with their masterpiece.

➡️ Vinyl Tip: Mayhem – Life Eternal – Alternate studio recordings with the iconic Nidaros cover, offering a new perspective on the legacy.

Rockheim – Black Metal as Norwegian Cultural Heritage

But Trondheim has another spot that’s a must for metal fans: Rockheim, Norway’s national museum of rock and pop. It features a dedicated Black Metal section that explores the genre’s history, aesthetics, and cultural impact.

The exhibition highlights Mayhem, Emperor, and other key bands from the scene, tracing the genre’s evolution and placing it within a broader musical and cultural context. One of the most striking parts is the Mayhem area, featuring original props, stage outfits, and rare archival photos.

The fact that Black Metal is now part of an official museum shows just how far its cultural influence has reached — a scene that began as an outsider movement has become one of Norway’s most recognized musical exports.

➡️ Vinyl Tip: Burzum / Darkthrone – Advanced Tape LP / Under A Funeral Moon Rehearsal – Two raw documents from the formative years of Norwegian Black Metal.

The Norwegian Stave Churches – The Burzum Connection

On our way back, we stopped at one of Norway’s famous stave churches. These medieval wooden structures are architectural masterpieces — and deeply tied to the darker side of Black Metal history.

The church burnings of the early ’90s turned them into symbols of the scene’s most extreme ideology. Varg Vikernes (Burzum) was convicted for his involvement in these acts, and to this day, the stave churches stand as haunting reminders of the conflict between Christianity and pagan symbolism that shaped much of the early Black Metal mindset.

➡️ Vinyl Tip: Aske – The cover features the burned-down Fantoft stave church, one of the most iconic images in Black Metal history.

The Swords of Stavanger – Norse Mythology and Metal

To end our journey, we visited the Sverd i fjell in Stavanger. These three towering swords commemorate the Battle of Hafrsfjord and symbolize the unification of Norway.

While there's no direct link to Black Metal, many bands — including Burzum, Enslaved, and Bathory — have drawn deep inspiration from Norse history and mythology.

➡️ Vinyl Tip: Pure Fucking Armageddon – Mayhem’s first strike, fitting for the final stop: raw, symbolic, and the beginning of it all.

Conclusion – A Journey Through Black Metal History

For Black Metal fans, Norway is more than just a travel destination — it’s a pilgrimage through a dark and fascinating history. From the basements of Oslo to the Nidaros Cathedral, the mystical stave churches, and ancient Viking symbols, the spirit of this extreme musical movement can be felt everywhere.

And for those looking to pick up some vinyl treasures along the way, shops like Neseblod Records are guaranteed to deliver.