black metal
subgenre of heavy metal music
Black metal envelops listeners in an atmosphere that's both feral and haunting, often characterized by its raw, blistering guitar riffs and relentless drumming. The vocals can range from anguished shrieks to guttural growls, but they all share a palpable intensity that draws you into a world of shadowy landscapes. It’s music that evokes the chill of winter forests, ancient rituals, and deep existential dread—an emotional journey that oscillates between chaos and beauty.
Emerging in the early 1980s in Norway, black metal was a reaction against the mainstream heavy metal scene, which felt overly polished and commercial to its early pioneers. Bands like Mayhem and Burzum crafted a sound that was intentionally abrasive and lo-fi, infused with themes of mysticism and nature. The genre’s peak came in the early '90s, marred by controversy and tragedy, particularly surrounding artists like Euronymous and Varg Vikernes. Albums such as "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" by Mayhem and "Filosofem" by Burzum helped define the genre’s ethos, melding extreme sound with a philosophy steeped in darkness.
For those curious about black metal, start with “A Blaze in the Northern Sky” by Darkthrone, which captures the essence of early black metal's spirit. Then dive into “Transilvanian Hunger,” also by Darkthrone, for a raw yet hypnotic experience. Don’t miss “In the Nightside Eclipse” by Emperor for its symphonic grandeur woven into furious riffs. Finally, check out “Filosofem” by Burzum to explore atmospheric depth. And if you find yourself captivated by this darkness, don’t overlook the adjacent realms of atmospheric or doom metal for further exploration.
1051 artists in the catalog.
Guides for black metal artists
Top black metal albums
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All black metal artists
Khors
Altar of Plagues
Falkenbach
folk metal, viking metal
Hollenthon
folk metal, melodic death metal
Deinonychus
dark metal, death-doom
Desaster
thrash metal
Den Saakaldte
Hellhammer
death metal, speed metal
Ildjarn
ambient music
Bulldozer
speed metal, thrash metal
Hades Almighty
Throes of Dawn
Satanic Warmaster
Darkwoods My Betrothed
Nocturnal Breed
thrash metal
Sabbat
thrash metal
About black metal
What is black metal?
subgenre of heavy metal music
Where should I start with black metal?
Start with "Twilight of the Idols" by Gorgoroth. It captures what makes black metal worth exploring.
What are the best black metal albums?
The black metal albums worth hearing first: "Twilight of the Idols" by Gorgoroth, "Into the Pandemonium" by Celtic Frost, "Filosofem" by Burzum, "Hvis lyset tar oss" by Burzum and "The Ways of Yore" by Burzum.
How many black metal artists are there?
northsound.fm covers 1051 black metal artists, each with a recommended starting album and listening path.