Pitchfork

Peter Beste's True Norwegian Black Metal is a 200+ page photo examination of the world of, well, true Norwegian black metal. Offering rare images of the members of such black metal acts as Darkthrone, Mayhem, Emperor, Satryicon, Enslaved, Immortal, Gorgoroth, Carpathian Forest, 1349, Dimmu Borgir, Ildjarn, and Aura Noir, the book seeks to uncover more about this secretive, often violent world where grown men wear a lot of makeup, make guttural noises, and say mean things about Jesus.

A good portion of the book is given over to selections from the archive of Jon "Metalion" Kristiansen, the publisher of pioneering black metal rag Slayer. True also includes interviews and quotes from Frost of 1349, Abbath of Immortal, Fenriz of Darkthrone, and Gaahl of Gorgoroth.

Vice Books will issue True Norwegian Black Metal May 15. Meanwhile, New York City's Steven Kasher Gallery will host an exhibit of Beste's work, opening May 9 and running through June 7. Additional gallery shows are expected to follow in London, Stockholm, Oslo, Berlin, and Los Angeles.