The story of Øystein Aarseth and Mayhem, leaders of the stormy early years of Norwegian black metal. During the eighties young Norwegians inspired by bands like Venom mixed extreme expressions of metal music with ideas of satanism and nihilism. The milieu became notorious in the early ninetees for setting churches on fire and committing murder. After Varg Vikernes’s murder of Øystein Aarseth in 1993, the focus has shifted to the unique music, and Black Metal is now the main musical export of Norway. Interviews with articulate members of the milieu give great insight to outsiders and lots of anecdotes for true fans of black metal. ONCE UPON A TIME IN NORWAY is produced by Grenzeløs Productions, and is a collaboration of different directors: Martin Ledang, Pål Aasdal, Olav Martinius Ilje Lien & Oddbjørn Hofseth , each contributing in different ways. The DVD comes with a 12-pages booklet, written by Roy Kristensen from the Norwegian webzine Imhotep, displaying his personal view upon the history of Mayhem.
