The albums that define
black metal.
Our picks for where to start with black metal — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top black metal artists
Start with one of these.
The black metal essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Celtic Frost
Into the Pandemonium
Start here
Burzum
Filosofem
Start here
Darkthrone
The Underground Resistance
Start here
Enslaved
Isa
Start here
Nachtmystium
Assassins: Black Meddle, Part I
Start here
Alcest
Spiritual Instinct
Start here
Zeal & Ardor
Devil Is Fine
Start here
Burzum
Thulêan Mysteries
Start here
Ov Hell
The Underworld Regime
Start here
Immortal
Blizzard Beasts
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Immortal
Pure Holocaust
Start here
Immortal
All Shall Fall
Start here
Darkthrone
Panzerfaust
Start here
Mayhem
Chimera
Start here
Darkthrone
The Cult Is Alive
Start here
Darkthrone
Frostland Tapes
Start here
Immortal
Damned in Black
Start here
Darkthrone
Soulside Journey
Start here
Mayhem
Grand Declaration of War
Start here
Mayhem
Deathcrush
Start here
Darkthrone
Circle the Wagons
Start here
Immortal
Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism
Start here
Immortal
Sons of Northern Darkness
Start here
Darkthrone
F.O.A.D.
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Darkthrone
Total Death
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Darkthrone
Under a Funeral Moon
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Darkthrone
Goatlord
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Darkthrone
Transilvanian Hunger
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Darkthrone
Ravishing Grimness
Start here
Darkthrone
A Blaze in the Northern Sky
Start here
Darkthrone
Plaguewielder
Start here
Immortal
Battles in the North
Start here
Immortal
At the Heart of Winter
Start here
Marduk
Nightwing
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Marduk
Live in Germania
Start here
Marduk
Opus Nocturne
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Marduk
Panzer Division Marduk
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Marduk
Those of the Unlight
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Ulver
Shadows of the Sun
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Enslaved
Eld
Start here
Enslaved
Blodhemn
Start here
Enslaved
E
Start here
Enslaved
Frost
Start here
Enslaved
Below the Lights
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Enslaved
Axioma Ethica Odini
Start here
Enslaved
Monumension
Start here
Wolves in the Throne Room
Diadem of 12 Stars
Start here
Belphegor
Bondage Goat Zombie
Start here
Belphegor
Walpurgis Rites – Hexenwahn
Start here
Belphegor
Blood Magick Necromance
Start here
