Lords of Chaos (2019 VHS)

Lords of Chaos is a thriller/drama film that was released in January 23, 2018 in the Sundance Film Festival, and would be released statewide in the United States in February 8, 2019 and in the United Kingdom in March 29, 2019.

Plot
In the 1980s, a young guitarist called Euronymous forms a black metal band called Mayhem, the first of the genre in their country of Norway, with Necrobutcher on bass, and Manheim on drums. Manheim leaves and is soon replaced by new drummer Hellhammer and they recruit a vocalist from Sweden called Dead, who exhibits self-destructive behavior, which he portrays during their live shows by cutting himself and bleeding on the audience, and throwing pig heads at the audience. After a show filmed by their friend Metalion, the band meets a fan named Kristian, whom Euronymous initially looks down on for wearing a Scorpions patch.

While home alone, Dead uses a kitchen knife to cut his arms and throat, and then uses Euronymous' shotgun to shoot himself in the forehead, leaving behind a suicide note. Euronymous returns home and finds the body but instead of calling the police, he takes photos of the body. After Dead's body is taken away, Euronymous gives necklaces to the other band members which he claims are pieces of Dead's skull; this disgusts Necrobutcher, who begins to argue with Euronymous prompting him to fire Necrobutcher from the band.

Soon after, Euronymous starts his own black metal record label and opens a record shop called Helvete ("Hell"), which becomes a social hub for black-metallers which becomes known as the "Black Circle". Kristian (who is now calling himself Varg Vikernes) shows up at the shop styled more like a black metaller and questions Euronymous for selling a Scorpions LP at his store. After initially being mocked by Euronymous, Hellhammer and Faust; Varg later gains acceptance in the scene after his demo tape for his band Burzum impresses Euronymous enough to release it on his label (albeit at Varg's expense). He becomes the most respected figure in the "Black Circle" after he burns down a local church in order to promote Burzum's debut album. Euronymous feeling his status in the circle challenged then takes credit for the burning stating he's glad Varg "got inspired".

Euronymous feeling his status as leader of the black circle is in danger recruits Varg as bassist for Mayhem. Varg then suggests they burn another church together. Euronymous reluctantly goes along. Meanwhile Faust brutally kills a gay man, who followed him outside of a bar and then brags about the killing to Euronymous and Varg at Helvete. Euronymous visible shocked quickly changes his tone and congratulates him. Varg then suggests the trio burn another church. Euronymous clearly nervous stands awkwardly by the door while Varg and Faust vandalise and set fire to the church.

Varg decides to go to the press to make them aware of the black circle. Euronymous feels this would be a bad idea and the pair argue over the phone. After Varg completes an "anonymous" interview under the pseudonym "Count Grishnackh" with the local newspaper he is arrested the next morning. He is released shortly due to lack of evidence. Meanwhile Euronymous receives a phone call from Jason Arnopp of Kerrang magazine where he unwittingly gives an interview.

Varg meets with Euronymous at a restaurant angered by Euronymous "taking credit" and presenting him with a copy of the subsequent Kerrang issue. He tells him that he is leaving Mayhem and that he doesn't need him anymore. When Varg gives him back the necklace he reveals that the "skull piece" necklace he gave to Varg was just a chicken bone.

In anger, Euronymous rants to a peer about wanting to kill Varg, but later calms down and sends him a contract to release the rights for his music back to him. Varg, having heard that Euronymous was making death threats against him through word of mouth, travels to Oslo with his roommate in the early morning to confront him. His roommate unaware of his intentions to kill Euronymous.

Meanwhile Euronymous seemingly giving up black metal by getting his hair cut by his girlfriend Ann-Marit and wearing a white shirt. Varg goes to Euronymous' apartment while his driver waits in the car. Varg buzzes his way into the apartment stating he wants to sign the contract, he enters his apartment and, after a brief conversation, Varg panics after Euronymous tries to leave the room for a pen believing him to be attempting to get his taser and stabs him. Euronymous pleads for his life, but Varg follows him through the apartment to the stairwell outside and stabs him to death.

The next day, the news of Euronymous' murder spreads throughout Norway and Varg and Faust are soon arrested. In a voice-over, Euronymous tells the audience not to feel sorry for him, that he enjoyed his life and invented a new sub-genre of metal.

VHS
The film was released on VHS in August 10, 2019, which was also the same day Varg killed Euronymous. It was produced and distributed by Miracle Productions Company (MPC). They were infamous for the vast amount of bootleg VHS and Betamax tapes that circulated around the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the late 70s and early 80s. The reason they were chosen for doing this is that they can get an authentic quality only found on VHS tapes.