Carl Abrahamsson - Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan: Infernal Wisdom from the Devils Den

This book is dedicated to

Anton LaVey (19301997),

Adam Parfrey (19572018), and

Genesis P-Orridge (19502020).

Mortui vivos docent!

ANTON LAVEY AND THE CHURCH OF SATAN

In Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan, the Black Pope of modern Satanism finds his most able interpreter and biographer. Carl Abrahamsson, the doyen of occulture, has studied LaVeys life and influence for years, focusing his peculiar instinct for the esoteric and transgressive on a character who brought the two into a piquant and appealing blend. Part showman, part huckster, part prophet, and all devil, LaVeys shaved head, Fu Manchu moustache, kitschy horns, and buxom coven brought a comic touch to a heresy that is more often taken all too seriously. Abrahamsson captures the smoky, saucy flavor of LaVeys devilish humor with gusto. Tempted? You should be.

GARY LACHMAN, AUTHOR OF TURN OFF YOUR MIND AND THE RETURN OF HOLY RUSSIA

A rich, engaging, and insightful exploration of one of the most influential and misunderstood thinkers of late twentieth-century occultism.... an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of Satanism and late-modern occulture.

MANON HEDENBORG WHITE, SENIOR LECTURER OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT KARLSTAD UNIVERSITY AND AUTHOR OF THE ELOQUENT BLOOD

Unique insights into the myth and man that was Anton LaVeya must-read for anyone interested in the history and future of Satanism.

PER FAXNELD, PH.D., SENIOR LECTURER AT SDERTRN UNIVERSITY AND AUTHOR OF SATANIC FEMINISM

Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan is an act of magic, for it takes you to the Black House at 6114 California Street where you are invited to a party in the honor of Doktor LaVey. Carl Abrahamsson is the ideal host of the partynot only has he invited all the right people, but he will introduce them to you as he takes you by the arm and leads you through the house, making sure that you are having fun while generously sharing his profound knowledge about the Doktor. If youre lucky, Doktor LaVey will show you a movie or play on one of his many synthesizers. Enjoy the party!

HENRIK BOGDAN, PROFESSOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GOTHENBURG AND EDITOR OF THE OXFORD STUDIES IN WESTERN ESOTERICISM BOOK SERIES

At a moment when there is increased academic interest in the history of Satanism and the gamut of Satanic religion has fanned out from the radical left to the alt-right, there is great value in revisiting Anton LaVey. With fresh analysis and precious interviews with friends and family, Carl Abrahamsson sheds new light on this controversial and enigmatic figure. The more we learn about LaVey, the more he appears as a node, linking diverse streams of culture from magic to art to politics.

JOSEPH P. LAYCOCK, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND AUTHOR OF SPEAK OF THE DEVIL

Abrahamsons work is a personal, sympathetic, yet nuanced portrait of one of the most enigmatic and fascinating figures of the twentieth century. Anton LaVey was a mercurial figure who contained within him paradoxes that continue to defy any simplistic interpretation of him. The diversity of his influence is clearly felt in this work. With several unique interviews and recollections of LaVey, this book will be essential reading for all future studies on Satanism.

FREDRIK GREGORIUS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE HISTORY OF RELIGION AT LINKPING UNIVERSITY AND COEDITOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THE STUDY OF NEW RELIGIONS

Through a vivid examination of LaVeys insistence on paving his own road through the pop-cultural landscape of the mid-twentieth century United States, Abrahamsson illuminates a thought-provoking, occultural individual and his circle, ready to shake up any beliefs set in stone to make you think for yourself. Read, and shake!

KASPER OPSTRUP, AUTHOR OF THE WAY OUT

As a whole, Abrahamssons personal and scholarly reflections and the unique assembly of interviews form an archive useful for the newly curious, the jaded occultist, the brazen scholar, and the mostly antagonistic. An impressive work.

JESPER AAGAARD PETERSEN, VICE DEAN OF RESEARCH AT THE NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Infinite gratitude to all the interviewees and those who contributed to the crowdfunding campaign for the documentary film. Also to Tim ONeill, Beatrice Eggers, Patricia Behman, Nick Bougas, Adam Rostoker, Jon Graham, Albo Sudekum and the Inner Traditions team, Annabel Moynihan, Miguel Guerrero Sr., Brian Butler, Genesis P-Orridge (for introducing me to Anton LaVey in the first place and for granting me use of the 1988 interview), Peter Gilmore and Peggy Nadramia for their assistance and vast knowledge, Margareta Abrahamsson, Sofia Lindstrm-Abrahamsson, Mitch Horowitz, the Church of Satan Archive, and most especially to Vanessa Sinclair and Christian Kount, who were of invaluable assistance in the production of this project and book. And not forgetting that old handsome Devil himself: Anton Szandor LaVey.

If you would like to watch the film Anton LaVey: Into the Devils Den, please visit: vimeo.com/ondemand/intothedevilsden (website).

I remember an older, grander show. All an old feller like me is good for, anyways, is rememberin. And my memories are sure more glamorous. I dont want nothin spoilin em. Im a circus man and will be until I die. Good night, everybody, he said. And lumbered away, pachydermically, down the darkened Midway, swinging his cane, and faded into the night.

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