Satyricon

‘Horns and Diadems’

–an exhibition chronicling the illustrious history of Satyricon

With an uncompromising approach to creating music, Satyricon has forged their position as mighty force on the black metal scene, continuously pushing the genre boundaries and contributing to its evolution – albeit never letting go of the characteristic Satyricon sound.

With a selection of artefacts, promo shots illustrating some defining moments in the band’s career, live photos mirroring the onstage energy and force, and behind-the-scenes photos from the process towards the exhibition at the Munch Museum, the festival exhibition at Grieghallen during Beyond the Gates provides a glimpse into Satyricon’s musical journey — from classic black metal imagery with theatrical make-up and several inches long spikes, to the refined visual and auditive aesthetic that characterizes the band today. Stripped away are unnecessary décor and noisy elements, leaving behind the complex, atmospheric, and monumental soundscapes tied together by the unmistakable Satyricon sound.

A small disclaimer: Mapping the history of a band that has been active for more than thirty years in the context of a festival does not come without boundaries. Lots more could be included, told, relayed, and unveiled. Consequently, the focus for this particular exhibition has therefore been to pinpoint some select moments through the years.

Satyr once said that black metal is defined by a feeling, not by looks – evident throughout the band's decades-long career, in the studio as well as on stage, to the groundbreaking interdisciplinary exhibition at the Munch Museum in 2022.

Thanks to photographers Morten Andersen, Espen Ixtlan, Marcel Leliënhof, Per Heimly, collector Finn Håkon Rødland, and designer Halvor Bodin for generous contributions and help during the process.

Thanks to KODE and museum technician Sturla Heggdalsvik for lending exhibition vitrines.

Curated by Monica Holmen

List of Works

Mezzanine

(from left to right)

All photos: Espen Ixtlan

· Satyricon live, 2016

· Satyricon live, 2017

· Satyricon live, 2009

· Satyricon live, Tons of Rock 2019, performing Rebel Extravaganza in full

Columns, left

(front to back)

· Promo shots for Volcano, Iceland, 2002. Photo: Marcel Leliënhof

· Promo shots for Rebel Extravaganza, 1999. Photo: Marcel Leliënhof

· Promo shots for Nemesis Divina, 1996. Photo: Per Heimly

· Promo shots for Dark Medieval Times, ca 1992. Photo: Per Heimly

Columns, right

In April–September 2022, the exhibition Satyricon & Munch was shown at the Munch Museum in Oslo, boasting an atmospheric and unusual fusion of visual and musical art. Juxtaposing a selection of Edvard Munch’s paintings and graphics with a close to one hour-long instrumental piece composed by Satyricon specifically for this occasion, the exhibition stands as a pinnacle in the band’s career so far – demonstrating a unique, yet artistically combination of visual art and music. Much like Edvard Munch, Satyricon’s approach to the creative processes is open and inquisitive, constantly evolving. In that sense, the exhibition was characterized by Satyricon’s unmistakable signature – simultaneously breaking away from their creations so far in terms of format, length, and expression. The exhibition Satyricon & Munch was curated by Trine Otte Bak Nielsen, curator at Munch.

The photos on display are a selection of photographer Morten Andersen’s comprehensive documentation of the process towards Satyricon & Munch.

(top to bottom, left to right)

· Munchmuseet, Tøyen, Oslo

· Munch’s winter studio, Ekely, Oslo

· View from the studio at Lysaker, Oslo

· In the studio at Lysaker, Oslo

· In Propeller Studio, Oslo

· In the studio at Råde, outside Oslo

· Munch’s winter studio, Ekely, Oslo

· Soundcheck at MUNCH, Bjørvika, Oslo

· In the studio at Råde, outside Oslo

· In the studio at Lysaker, Oslo

· Satyricon & Munch, installation view. Photo: Munch Museum

· At the artists’ studio collective Ila Pensjonat [Ila boarding house], Oslo

Columns, right

(front to back)

· Promo shots for Volcano, Iceland, 2002. Photo: Marcel Leliënhof

· Promo shots for Rebel Extravaganza, 1999. Photo: Marcel Leliënhof

· Promo shots for Nemesis Divina, 1996. Photo: Per Heimly

· Promo shots for The Shadowthrone, ca 1993. Photo: Per Heimly

Vitrines

The way back when vitrine:

A selection of artefacts and memorabilia from Finn Håkon Rødland’s extensive collection of black metal memorabilia:

· Dark Medieval Times t-shirt

· The Shadowthrone t-shirt

· Nemesis Divina t-shirt

· Nemesis Divina longsleeve

· Rebel Extravaganza longsleeve

· Mother North longsleeve

· Mother North sweater

· The Forest is My Throne cassette

· Demo

· Demo - alternative cover

· Mother North music video on VHS

· Selected rare postcards and flyers

The here and now vitrine:

· Espen Ixtlan, Satyricon in Europe 2006–2022 book, 2023

· Deep Calleth Upon Deep LP

· Deep Calleth Upon Deep t-shirt

· Satyricon & Munch LP

· Morten Andersen, Satyricon & Munch book, 2022