"Helvete" (Hell) metal music store (Oslo, Norway)

Title: "Helvete" (Hell)

Location: Schweigaards gate 56 (Vaterland, Grønland, Gamlebyen, Sentrum, Gamle Oslo, Norway)

Establishment: May-June 1991

Owner: Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth (1991-1993) from Mayhem, Stian "Occultus" Johansen, Marius Vold

Business: record shop (extreme music), headquarters of Deathlike Silence Productions (record label, previously known as Posercorpse Music), gathering place for Black Metal enthusiasts - Black Metal Inner Circle (in the basement)

Current purpose: Neseblod Records since 2013 (record shop that buys, trades and sells Death Metal, Black Metal, Thrash, Punk, Rock, Hardcore, band merchandise and Scandinavian music), Black Metal museum. Severely damaged in a fire in April 2024.

"Helvete" (or Hell, derives from Norwegian Helvíti (Hel + víti) or "Hel's punishment") in Oslo stands as a legendary hub of the Norwegian Black Metal scene from the early 1990s. Originally opened by Mayhem guitarist Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth, it now operates as Neseblod Records at the same location, preserving its historical legacy with a basement museum. Despite a fire in 2024, the store continues to function, drawing metal fans worldwide.

Founding History

Helvete opened in Spring 1991 at Schweigaards gate 56 in Oslo, managed by Euronymous, a pivotal figure in early Black Metal. The shop sold vinyl, cassettes, and merchandise while serving as an informal headquarters for musicians from Mayhem, Burzum, Emperor, and Thorns, forming the infamous "Black Circle". Its basement hosted Deathlike Silence Productions recordings, with black walls, medieval weapons, candles, and darkened windows embodying the genre's aesthetic.

The store closed in 1993 due to high rent, police scrutiny, and media attention following church arsons and Euronymous's murder by Burzum's Varg Vikernes. It played a crucial role in birthing Norwegian Black Metal, influencing global acts like Darkthrone and Immortal.

Rebirth as Neseblod Records

In 2013, Kenneth "Neseblod" took over, reviving "Helvete's" spirit as an extreme metal shop and unofficial museum. The ground floor stocks vinyl, cassettes, CDs, t-shirts, and flags from niche bands, many never performing live. The basement displays artifacts like a signed Metallica "Kill 'Em All," Burzum gear, Euronymous bloodstains, and memorabilia from Black Metal's first and second waves.

It has become a pilgrimage site for "blackpackers" tracing the genre's history, evolving from underground notoriety to cultural artifact.

2024 Fire and Recovery

On April 9, 2024, a basement electrical short sparked a fire, destroying much of the museum's Black Metal relics. The upper floor survived, allowing partial reopening, with a GoFundMe raising over £22,500 from the community. By 2025, the basement was cleared for repairs; the museum remains temporarily closed, but the online shop operates.

The incident shocked the metal community, highlighting the fragility of its heritage.

Inventory and Atmosphere

Neseblod specializes in Black Metal, Death Metal, and related subgenres: rare vinyl, underground label cassettes, merch, and books like "Lords of Chaos". The cramped, dimly lit space with floor-to-ceiling shelves suits collectors perfectly.

Cultural Impact

"Helvete"/Neseblod Records symbolizes Norwegian Black Metal's shift from 1990s scandals (satanism, arsons, murder) to tourist landmark status. Though niche in Norway, it exports the genre's pagan, anti-Christian roots globally. For fans of Black Metal-like those interested in metal scenes-this Oslo spot offers a direct link to the origins.