Norwegian Black Metal churches burning

In the early 1990s, a wave of Norwegian black metal bands garnered attention for their extreme music and ideologies. Some musicians, driven by anti-Christian sentiment and a desire to provoke, engaged in arson against historic churches, with over 50 attacks reported. This reflected a symbolic rejection of mainstream values and a connection to ancient pagan beliefs. The church burnings stirred controversy and led to a national and international shock, highlighting the extreme subculture within black metal. These events remain a significant part of the genre's history, illustrating the conflict between art, ideology, and societal norms.