This feature revisits the origins of Von, a little-known Hawaiian band widely credited as America's first black metal act, whose influence far outstripped its commercial success. Despite not releasing a debut album until 2012, Von shaped the genre's early sound and aesthetic, inspired Watain's name, was covered by Dark Funeral, and even had one of its shirts worn by convicted killer Varg Vikernes at his 1994 murder trial in Norway.

The band was formed in Hawaii in 1987 by singer/bassist Jason "Venien" Ventura and vocalist/guitarist Shawn "Goat" Calizo, later joined by drummer Brent "Snake". Rooted in punk and classic rock rather than the European scene, they relocated to San Francisco but struggled to get booked amid the city's thrash metal dominance. They recorded one key demo, 1989's Satanic, followed by two further demos without Ventura after he returned home, before he and Calizo reunited briefly in 1992 to end the band.