True Norwegian Black Metal

For the past seven years, Brooklyn-based photographer Peter Beste has been documenting the now-infamous black metal scene in Norway. And while Beste's photos from those shoots have been circulating in the pages of magazines and on gallery walls for most of that time, they've never been collected in a single comprehensive volume. Now, with the release of True Norwegian Black Metal (Vice Books) next month, Beste's immersive photojournalistic work will be properly anthologized in a 216-page tome. To celebrate the release of this book, Beste will also be showing his work at Steven Kasher Gallery in New York on May 9th.

Here's the official word, from the press release:
Acclaimed documentary photographer Peter Beste will have an opening on May 9 at the Steven Kasher Gallery in New York presenting work from his 216 page photobook True Norwegian Black Metal (Vice Books). This incredibly unique document examines a subculture and musical genre that is often violent, misunderstood and shrouded in secrecy. Through years of cultivating relationships, Beste was able to gain the trust of this community and captured some intense and remarkable photographs of unparalleled artistic integrity. The end result is a photographic narrative that explores black metal from a truly visceral perspective. True Norwegian Black Metal will be published by Vice Books and will be released on May 15.

Steven Kasher Gallery is located at 521 West 23rd Street, 2nd Floor, NYC.
The opening will be from 6-8 pm on May 9.
The show runs May 9 - June 7 2008.  Tues-Saturday 11am-6pm.

"Peter Beste represents the next generation of documentary photographers. His images reflect passion, creativity, and technique. When I first saw his Norwegian Black Metal photographs I was totally blown away. It takes a special kind of photographer to go deep into uncharted lands and capture compelling images without fear. Peter is that person, and I am confident that he will continue to expose us to new and intriguing worlds as his career takes off. "  Jamel Shabazz