Hej Allihopa! How are we doing? I decided to start a series of posts here on the blog called SWEDISH ICONS. These posts will be about people who, for better or worse, have become iconic figures in the country. Some are admirable, while others not so much. But all of them have unforgettable stories!
To kick things off, I thought it would be interesting to talk about a musician. After all, I’m always referencing them here. So, for you, one of the most notable men in the Swedish metal industry: Jon Andreas Nödtveidt: The Somberlain.
NOTE: This text may contain sensitive content. I would like to clarify that I do not condone or agree with any of the actions or behaviors of the artist presented in this text. I express my deep condolences to the victim’s family and reiterate that, above all, Jon Nödtveidt was a criminal.
Jon was born on June 28, 1975, in Stockholm and died on August 13, 2006. He was a musician, founder, and guitarist of the black metal band Dissection. However, our little somber figure has a rather intense background…
Andreas was an openly declared Satanist and a follower of the Misanthropic Satanist Order. He was involved in several criminal organizations around Stockholm, even during his teenage years. In childhood, he already exhibited very peculiar behavior. Nödtveidt was known for capturing some animals and killing them for his own rituals. He was also completely obsessed with the idea of having absolute control over his own life. Before Dissection, his most successful band, Jon began his music career with the thrash metal band Siren’s Yell. He then had another band called Rabbit’s Carrot. It was only in 1989 that Nödtveidt finally founded Dissection. From a young age, he showed talent for composition, which becomes completely evident when we listen to his first album with Dissection. The debut album, The Somberlain, was released in 1993. In 1995, the band released their second album, called Storm of the Light’s Bane. In my opinion, one of the best albums of all time. This CD solidified Dissection’s success and helped them break through the black metal scene beyond Scandinavia, leading the band to worldwide popularity.
But if Jon is such a problematic figure, you might be wondering why I’m talking about him here. Well, I won’t be hypocritical; I love the sound of the band. I’m completely addicted to all three Dissection albums. The fact I mentioned earlier, that Jon was considered a good composer, is 100% true, in my opinion. His lyrics, melodies, and interludes are breathtaking. The debut album features several tracks with a rawer black metal vibe, which is fascinating because the second CD is different. In it, the songs start to become more melodic. So, he knew exactly how to complement his work, even with the beliefs he held. Worldwide, Storm of the Light’s Bane is a highly acclaimed album. As I mentioned, I love this CD. I listen to it basically every week and never get tired of it. The debut, The Somberlain, serves as inspiration for various bands.
Dissection is an icon here in Sweden. At any show I attend, I see at least ten tattoos or t-shirts of the band. As I said, I don’t overlook the problematic aspects of Jon as a person, but the creativity and dedication he had to his work is undeniable. Andreas is often referenced in interviews, magazines, and blogs about extreme music. And for anyone with even a basic knowledge of the metal world, especially black metal, it’s sadly known that there’s often a dirty past associated with bands. The scene is filled with people who have criminal backgrounds or problematic behaviors. Just look at Mayhem, the most chaotic band in the world. One day, I might talk specifically about them.
But back to Jon…
I have a magazine that is a special Dissection edition. It mentions some rumors that he was involved with Nazi groups here in Stockholm. This has never been really proven. Many argue that Jon was not a Nazi because his name was not listed as a member of any organizations at the time. There also isn’t much evidence of white supremacy rhetoric or similar behaviors. This has never been clear anywhere. Fans often point out that he liked people from all over the world. In fact, the band even played in Brazil in 2005. Another interesting fact about him is that Jon identified with the Quimbanda religion. Quimbanda is a religious concept of Afro-Brazilian origin. So, our poor rebellious boy was quite the enthusiast for Brazilian culture.
It was quite clear from the beginning that Jon knew exactly what actions he wanted to follow in his life. As I mentioned earlier, he was completely obsessed with the idea of control. Because, based on the beliefs he held, life is taken by us. And despite everything being somewhat calculated, in 1997, some things went a bit out of control.
THE MURDER
In December 1997, Nödtveidt was arrested for aiding and being an accomplice in the murder of Josef Ben Meddour, a 36-year-old Algerian man. Out of respect for those who read the blog, I will omit some details about this crime.
The murder took place in Gothenburg, a city in the southern part of Sweden. The case received significant media attention here and was made into a film called Keiller’s Park.
Andreas was sentenced to 10 years in prison but served 7. He was released in 2004.
And if you’re thinking that this was the cherry on top of Jon’s reputation as a bad element, stick around because the grand finale is still to come…
After leaving prison, Jon gave a few interviews claiming that he was remorseful and wanted to leave his dirty past behind. He emphasized several times that he wouldn’t talk about it anymore.
However, during his time in prison, he didn’t stay idle. Nödtveidt was extremely restless. So, he wrote and produced a complete album while he was there.
An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. But in Jon’s case, an occupied mind is too. With that, he managed to produce what would become Dissection’s final album.
When some people read about this, they start to question how a criminal can still make music from inside prison! But the fact is that Scandinavian prisons resemble amusement parks. This is a topic for another post, but I’d like to explain that there are music studios in prisons here in Sweden. And believe it or not, many albums, especially in the metal genre, have been produced there.
So, on April 30, 2006, Reinkaos was born. This album deviates from conventional black metal and leans more towards heavy metal. Once again, it features a different melody that complements Jon’s work. This CD is really good! Several singles became hits, solidifying that, in this trilogy of albums, he had completed his mission.
But, like for every black metal singer, death is the pedestal. The mystery, the uncertainty of where we are going, where we came from. Almost all of Jon’s lyrics made references to the eternal dark, to emptiness, to the sleep that will never end. So, after so many actions, searches, and a life premeditated for this, Jon Nödtveidt forged his own path…
THE SUICIDE…
On August 13, 2006, Andreas was found dead in his apartment in the Hässelby neighborhood of Stockholm. There were candles around his body and a Bible. Days before this happened, Jon had been incessantly telling his friends that he was going on a long trip to Transylvania. He wrote some letters to his parents and one to his girlfriend. At no point did he show any signs of depression. In an interview with the Swedish newspaper Expressen, Jon’s father highlighted:
“I saw him in Stockholm a week ago, everything seemed great. I don’t understand what made him this way. He never showed any signs of depression. This is difficult for the whole family,” said Anders Nödtveidt, Jon’s father.
Link: tps://www.expressen.se/nyheter/svenske-hardrocksstjarnan-jon-nodtveidt-tog-sitt-liv/
Before Jon left this world, he decided to end his work with Dissection. He stated that everything he had planned was already accomplished. Therefore, it no longer made sense to keep the band. They held a farewell show in Stockholm.
He was one of the few people I met in the music scene who truly carried his beliefs and thoughts to the end. Until the last moment, he embodied his character.
Dissection will always be one of the greatest bands of all time in Sweden. Jon is now immortalized among the fans. If you haven’t listened to the band yet, I highly recommend it. The trilogy The Somberlain, Storm of the Light’s Bane, and Reinkaos is exceptional. These are three distinct works, but they resonate in spirit and melody. As for him, all we can hope is that his soul has truly found what he was seeking.
Sometimes, when trying to separate the artist from the art, the artist ends up dying in the process. That’s why we need to reflect deeply on some of the people whose work we listen to and consume.
Hej då!
