black metal

black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Emerging in the early 1980s, it is characterized by its fast tempos, shrieking vocals, heavily distorted guitars, and raw, lo-fi production. The genre is noted for its adversarial themes, often exploring Satanism, paganism, and misanthropy, which have been intertwined with controversial actions by some of its early proponents. Since the 1990s, it has diversified into numerous regional scenes and stylistic offshoots, exerting a significant influence on wider extreme metal and alternative music.

Origins and early history

The first wave of the style developed in the early-to-mid 1980s through the work of pioneering bands. Key early influences included the raw sound of Venom, whose 1982 album Black Metal gave the genre its name, and the aggressive speed of Bathory from Sweden. Other crucial contributors from this period were Hellhammer and Celtic Frost from Switzerland, and Mercyful Fate from Denmark. These acts established many of the genre's foundational aesthetic and musical traits, though their sound remained closely tied to the existing frameworks of speed metal and thrash metal. The scene was initially scattered, with notable early recordings emerging from countries like Brazil, exemplified by Sarcófago.

Musical characteristics

The sound is defined by a set of distinct production and performance techniques. It typically employs tremolo-picked guitar riffs, blast beat drumming, and harsh, high-pitched vocal styles that range from shrieks to snarls. A defining feature is the intentional use of low-fidelity recording quality, which creates a cold, abrasive, and atmospheric sound. Song structures often deviate from conventional heavy metal formats, favoring repetitive, hypnotic riffs and a minimalist approach. Keyboards are sometimes used to add melodic or atmospheric layers, as heard in the work of Emperor or Dimmu Borgir.

Ideology and themes

Lyrical content and associated ideologies are central to the genre's identity and notoriety. Many artists promote anti-Christian sentiments, embracing Satanism or pre-Christian paganism and occultism. This was infamously manifested in the early 1990s Norwegian black metal scene through a series of church arsons and criminal acts involving members of bands like Mayhem and Burzum. Other common themes include misanthropy, nihilism, nationalism, nature, and fantasy, with bands like Drudkh and Summoning exploring specific historical and literary concepts.

Regional scenes and subgenres

Following the explosion of the Norwegian black metal scene in the 1990s, distinct regional variations developed worldwide. Important scenes emerged in Sweden, with bands like Dissection and Marduk, Finland with Beherit, and France with Les Légions Noires. The Greek black metal scene, led by Rotting Christ and Varathron, developed a unique melodic style, while the United States fostered diverse acts from Judas Iscariot to Weakling. Stylistic fusion created subgenres like symphonic black metal (Cradle of Filth), ambient black metal (Burzum), and blackgaze, which blends with shoegazing (Alcest).

Influence and legacy

The genre has profoundly impacted the broader landscape of extreme and experimental music. Its aesthetic and sonic principles have been adopted and adapted by countless death metal and doom metal acts, leading to fusion genres like blackened death metal practiced by Belphegor. Its influence extends beyond metal, affecting post-rock, neofolk, and industrial music. The genre's legacy is also cemented in popular culture, referenced in films like *Lords of Chaos* and inspiring fashion trends. Modern iterations continue to evolve, with bands like Deafheaven and Zeal & Ardor receiving critical acclaim in mainstream publications like Pitchfork.

Category:Black metal Category:Heavy metal genres Category:Extreme metal Category:Music subcultures