Music

An Airline, Black Metal and a Marketing Disaster

It started innocently enough.  Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA launched a contest where the good people of Norway could vote on which national hero will be painted on their fleet’s tail fins.  

They were probably thinking that the winner would be someone like Henrik Ibsen (famous writer), Roald Amundson (polar explorer) or Sonja Henie (figure skater and movie star).  

But no.  Leading in the voting at the moment is Øystein Aarseth.  This is a disaster.

Black metal fans will recognize Aarseth by the name Euronymous of the black metal band Mayhem who was murdered by his former bandmate, Count Grishnackh (real name:  Varg Vikernes), a member of the band Burzum. 

Both men were involved in things like church burnings and singing the praises of thugs like Jospeh Stalin and Pol Pot.  They were also known to use actual human skull fragments as jewellery.

Voting closes today.  Will we see Euronymous as part of the livery of a discount airline?  Black metallers will be be out in force.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38035 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “An Airline, Black Metal and a Marketing Disaster

  • To bad Steven Colbert isn't from Norway….

    Reply

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