Here on Unobstructed View is a dual format Blu ray & DVD release of the film- the Blu Ray is region free, though the DVD is region 1 US. The release appears in a silver metallic slip sleeve- featuring one of the lead characters in dramatic corpse paint- both discs take in the Uncensored directors cut, which is unrated- extras wise we get a selection film cut scenes, a trailer, and a well-defined print.

The  2018 film is directed by  Stockholm based Jonas Åkerlund- who has only directed one or two feature length’s- but is most known for directing music videos for the likes of Metallica, The Prodigy, Rammstein, Candlemass, Madonna, & Roxette- in all he has nearing one hundred & forty credits to his name. And you can certainly say that his experience has both helped & hindered Lords of Chaos- on the positive side the recreated live concerts, moody shot landscapes, and the more quirky & darkly artily edited moments work often very well. Sadly on the storytelling sides of things, character fleshing out, and over-all flow/ ebb of the story side of things, it's alot less successful.

The film's story is told from the point of view of Euronymous /Øystein Aarseth( played with excellent balance & depth by Rory Culkin) who narrates the story of the beginnings, rise & tragedy of Norwegian Black Metal band Mayhem, and the more extreme sides of the Norwegian black metal scene. The film begins with the teen band playing in their parents basement, going onto there move out into their own and house, the introduction of infamous singer Dead & his suicide, the entering of Kristian Vikernes/Varg Vikernes, the church burnings, the brutal murder of gay man by Faust ex-Emperor drummer, and of course the murder of Euronymous by Vikernes.

I guess it’s best to go through the pros & the cons of the whole film- so on the plus side, as already mentioned Culkin is very effective in the lead- moving between head-banging teen, to well-meaning- if nervy band/ scene leader, onto trobled egomaniac. The gory, killings &  church burning are well staged, often shocking & intense. The portrayal of Dead is well done, and along with Culkin the actor who plays him, Jack Kilmer- is one of the best here. The sly, often darkly tinged elements of humor are well realized & executed. And lastly, the recreation of classic photo sessions, for the most part, is well done
On the negative side of things- first & foremost is the casting of Emory Cohen, as Varg Vikernes- this was a big mistake, firstly he looks little or nothing like the real-life man as the time, and the crudely stuck on face scar is just embarrassing. Next, he gives about as much depth as a pancake to his role- and often comes off as a hammy pantomime villain. The films secondary characters are introduced with even little or no explanation who they are, and the worst example of this is the band's second full-time singer Attila Csihar- who just suddenly appears in the studio- then disappears again. Next, is the most reported distinct lack of  Norwegian black metal music in the film-  aside from a bits & bobs of Mayhem, and background heard extreme metal- there is none, and this really hurts the films feel & vibe.
So, as a result, I came away from the Lords Of Choas very split in my feelings-  when it’s good/ balanced in both its portrayal/ unfolding, ones often impressed by the authenticity of the production. But equally when it’s badly acted and storyline goes awry either from lack of clarification or shoddy character definition, one cringes at its badness.
I’d certainly say if you’re a black metal fan, and familiar with the story- it’s worth your time, though you may find it often frustratingly uneven. If your not aware of the story, but have interest in it- I’d advise reading the book first- as often the flow, storytelling, and unfold of the film is both muddled & confused.

The extras here are eleven short teser clips/ trailers, and about half of these are of unreleased cut scenes, which do help fill in some of the films story issues- so there worth alook. We also get a trailer, and that’s sadly all you get…it would have be great to maybe get a cast/director interview, or a commentary track of some sort.

So in conclusion, I’m glad I bit the bullet & saw Lords of Chaos for myself, and not get put off by the films decidedly mix response from both fans of the Norwegian black metal scene & critics alike. If you're on the fence about seeing it, as I was, I’d certainly give it a try- just don’t expect either a complete success or a complete failure- as it very much flits back & forth between these two polar opposites for much of the films two hours runtime.