Until the Light Takes Us

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Until the Light Takes Us

Released Nov 20, 2009

1h 33m

Documentary

Music

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Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

This documentary takes a behind-the-scenes look at the controversial Norwegian black metal scene of the 1990s, an idealistic and innovative musical movement marred by jealous infighting and an unfortunate campaign of public violence. Drummer Leif Gylve "Fenriz" Nagell of Darkthrone and Varg Vikernes of Mayhem -- an innovative but troubled musician who spent over a decade behind bars for the murder of black-metal guitarist Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth -- tell their stories.

Chris Chang

Film Comment Magazine

A morbidly hypnotic yet generally disorganized affair. To be fair, you could argue that it stays purposefully true to the pervasive murk of its subject.

Sep 24, 2014

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Stephen Cole

Globe and Mail

Unfortunately, everything the neo-Vikings say is unchallenged.

Rated: 2/4

Feb 19, 2010

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Joan Anderman

Boston Globe

Their dedication to giving the players their moment on the podium prevented Aites and Ewell from asking provocative questions, or, it would seem, any questions at all.

Rated: 1.5/4

Feb 11, 2010

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Conrad Doucette

Decider

Fails to capture the excitement of the original Norwegian black metal scene or explain why its art is more important than the sensational events for which it is remembered.

Mar 11, 2019

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Frances Morgan

Electric Sheep

Neatly made, but frustratingly anaemic, so keen to avoid editorialising and judgement that it ends up lacking in clarity, tension and even coherence.

Dec 16, 2010

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Josh Bell

Filmcritic.com

When Aites and Ewell manage to illuminate the complex relationship between art and action, Until the Light Takes Us can be fascinating and powerful.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 12, 2010

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Audience Member

It’s takes a very fascinating topic but makes it boring

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/28/19

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dennis m

Fascinating if for no other reason than to make you aware that such a macabre counterculture exists.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

The most boring people in the world perpetrate the most boring albeit gruesome murders ever Norway is so boring. Dont meet your black metal heroes, kids.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

If one has never heard of the norweigan black metal scene in the 80's and 90's, Until the Light Takes Us makes for an interesting musical history lesson. For the rest however, there's actually not that much to recommend.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

Documentary about the black metal scene and its early roots featuring bands like Darkthrone, Mayhem, and Burzum. The story centers around these bands and the influence they had not only on the scene itself but the violence and reputation it created in the early 90's. Darkthrone's Fenriz is the main guy whom the works with along with input from Hellhammer, Varg, and Frost from Satyricon. I found it troubling to see a guy like Fenriz who seems very likable but yet depressed and sad of where black metal has gone in terms of popularity and also the tragedies surrounding his friends "Dead" who took his own life and "Euronymous" who was murdered by "Varg". 9/10

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

It does NOT tell the 'story' of black metal. In fact it mostly skips over its birth and growth throughout the 1980s. Regardless, this is more about the 1990s Norway scene and some of the major characters at that point. This particular group lead some sad lives away from the music and that is the focus. There is some history of the metal scene as well, but it did not seem the priority.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Aaron Aites

Director

Audrey Ewell

Director

Fenriz

Actor

Varg Vikernes

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Synopsis

This documentary takes a behind-the-scenes look at the controversial Norwegian black metal scene of the 1990s, an idealistic and innovative musical movement marred by jealous infighting and an unfortunate campaign of public violence. Drummer Leif Gylve "Fenriz" Nagell of Darkthrone and Varg Vikernes of Mayhem -- an innovative but troubled musician who spent over a decade behind bars for the murder of black-metal guitarist Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth -- tell their stories.

Director: Aaron Aites, Audrey Ewell
Producer: Aaron Aites, Audrey Ewell
Distributor: Variance Films
Production Co: Artists Public Domain, The Group Entertainment
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 20, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $119.6K
Runtime: 1h 33m