Legendary: Super Pro GLX drum set by producer Pearl. (Photo: Rockheim / Handout / NTB Tema)

A legendary black metal drum kit has finally found its way into the Rockheim Museum collection.

The now “retired” drum kit of the brand Pearl has become part of the permanent collection at the National Museum of Pop and Rock, Rockheim in Trondheim. Previously, the kit has served internationally acclaimed black metal bands like Mayhem, Satyricon, Burzum, Darkthrone, Enslaved, Emperor and Arcturus.

The drums are in the series Super Pro GLX from the 80s and includes two huge bass drums. It goes under the nickname “Black Monster”.

Used by Many Famous Bands

First owner was Mayhem drummer Jan-Axel Hellhammer Blomberg, who used them during the recording of De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas album from 1994, a milestone in Norwegian music history.

Then Satyricon drummer Kjetil Frost Haraldstad bought the drums and used them in most studio recordings with Satyricon. However, he is now sponsored by Tama – Pearl’s old archrival among drum producers.

In recent years, the kit has been sent around among hard-hitting drummers and it is likely that it has been involved in most black metal recordings in Norway.

Long Journey Over

Now, the drums are in Rockheim’s possession and a part of the main exhibition. They will be placed in the black metal department, which is a copy of Mayhem’s old rehearsal room from the 1980s.

– Everything about the drums are large scale: The dimensions, sound, story attached to it. Few instruments have been used by so many famous Norwegian bands as these drums. We are very happy that we are able to display them and keep them for posterity, says Vigdis Sjelmo, conservator at Rockheim to NRK.no.

Rockheim is Norway’s national museum of popular music from the 1950s to the present day, and it is located in Trondheim. The museum’s main task is to collect and disseminate Norwegian popular music and present them through exhibitions. In addition, it offers a very modern and innovative virtual exhibition: A journey through contemporary Norwegian music and cultural history in 3D.

Rockheim has received international acclaim for its way of conveying popular music, including awards for Europe’s Best Museum.

Text by: Anette Broteng Christiansen, ThorNews

Source: NRK

Categories: Central Norway, Culture, Music, Travel