Photo Credit Season of Mist Records
Written By Christy Norris
Black metal emerged in the early 1980s, evolving from the raw aggression of thrash metal and the darker, more atmospheric elements. What began as a niche subgenre quickly grew into one of the most extreme, rebellious, and controversial forms of heavy metal. Its very essence was rooted in darkness both musically and ideologically rejecting the norms of society, religion, and even conventional music itself.
Celtic Frost played a pivotal role in the development of black metal, even though they are often considered more of a precursor to the genre rather than a full-fledged black metal band. The Swiss band, led by Tom G. Warrior, was formed in 1984 and fused various elements of extreme music, including death metal, thrash, doom, and black metal. Their music and themes laid the groundwork for much of what black metal would later become, particularly in its darker, more esoteric directions.
In the late ’80s, black metal began to crystallize with the formation of bands like Mayhem in Norway, often seen as the pioneers of the genre. Mayhem’s music was fast, dissonant, and heavily influenced by the occult, Satanism, and the rejection of Christianity. The genre’s early sound was abrasive and raw, characterized by shrieking vocals, high-pitched guitar tremolos, blast beat drumming, and a lo-fi production style that added to the eerie, unpolished feel.
The darker and more sinister elements of black metal were solidified during the early ’90s in Norway, where the notorious Norwegian Black Metal Scene came to prominence. This period is infamous not only for its music but also for its connection to violent acts, including church burnings, obsession with death and murder. One of the most shocking incidents involved Varg Vikernes of Burzum, who was convicted of killing Mayhem’s guitarist Euronymous in 1993, a crime that remains one of the most infamous in black metal history. Varg’s personal beliefs, tied to a mixture of paganism and anti-Christian sentiment, became emblematic of the darker, more violent strain of black metal.
At the same time, church burnings became a notorious part of the scene’s legacy, with several churches in Norway set alight by black metal musicians or their followers. These acts were seen as a symbolic rejection of Christianity, which black metal musicians viewed as oppressive and corrupting. These violent outbursts added a chilling layer to the genre’s mystique, solidifying its reputation as one of the most extreme forms of music.
Despite these violent and controversial origins, black metal has evolved over the years. While many bands still maintain the genre’s core values and antagonism toward religion, societal rejection, and the exploration of darkness, modern black metal has expanded its boundaries. The genre has diversified, blending with other musical styles like post-rock, doom, ambient, and death metal, creating subgenres like atmospheric black metal and blackgaze.
Bands have introduced more melodic, atmospheric elements, shifting the genre away from its raw and violent roots while still maintaining its dark themes.
Darkthrone helped establish the second wave of black metal with their raw, minimalist approach. Their themes include Satanism, coldness, isolation, and the harsh northern landscapes. Transilvanian Hunger is a perfect example of the cold, atmospheric, and unrelenting black metal sound that the band became known for.
Immortal’s thematic focus revolves around frost, winter, and the stark landscapes of the Norwegian north. Their music is known for its epic scale and relentless energy, combining black metal’s raw aggression with a more melodic, atmospheric quality. Immortal helped solidify the aesthetic of Norwegian black metal with their “frostbitten” sound and lyrics. They are considered one of the genre’s most consistent and influential bands, with At the Heart of Winter being a key turning point in their career.
Emperor pushed black metal into more symphonic and complex territories. Their music incorporates themes of nihilism, darkness, and the supernatural, with a focus on cosmic and philosophical imagery. Their music is known for being technical, with intricate arrangements and atmospheric layers. Emperor’s highly technical and symphonic approach set them apart from other black metal bands and influenced many subsequent bands to incorporate orchestral elements into their sound. In the Nightside Eclipse is a landmark in black metal history.
Gorgoroth’s music is fiercely anti-Christian and explores themes of Satanism, chaos, and the darkness of human existence. Their sound is known for being abrasive, harsh, and deeply aggressive. Gorgoroth’s commitment to pushing boundaries in terms of blasphemous imagery and themes made them one of the most controversial and influential bands in black metal. Their live performances were notorious for their provocative and sacrilegious nature.
Watain’s music blends traditional black metal with more dynamic and melodic elements. Their lyrics focus on Satanism, death, and rebellion, often invoking the imagery of the occult and infernal. Watain is one of the few modern black metal bands to successfully incorporate a more melodic and ritualistic aspect into the genre, making them an important force in contemporary black metal.
Drudkh’s music is heavily influenced by Slavic folklore, nature, and paganism. Their dark, atmospheric black metal combines elements of nature worship and cultural history, creating a haunting and mystical atmosphere.
Drudkh’s approach to black metal is more introspective and rooted in the spiritual and folkloric traditions of their homeland, making them one of the key bands in the “Eastern European” black metal scene.
Leviathan, led by Jef Whitehead is one of the most prominent bands in the American black metal scene. Their music is often suffused with themes of isolation, depression, self-destruction, and personal torment, with an emphasis on psychological horror and emotional darkness. Leviathan is known for their deeply personal and emotionally raw approach to black metal, adding a level of introspection and existential exploration that set them apart from the more externalized themes of other bands.
Rotting Christ, Septicflesh and Nightfall are known as the holy trinity of Greek metal. They have played an essential role in shaping the global landscape of extreme music, particularly within the realms of black metal and death metal. Each band has its unique approach and sound, but together, they represent the pinnacle of Greek metal and have significantly influenced the black metal scene.
Rotting Christ’s early music was rooted in death metal, but over the years, they’ve evolved into a much more atmospheric and complex band, blending black metal with doom and gothic elements. Their lyrics often delve into the occult, mysticism, ancient rituals, and philosophical themes, with heavy influences from Greek mythology and history. They’ve also frequently explored anti-religious themes, particularly with regard to Christianity. Rotting Christ is one of the most significant bands from the Greek metal scene. Their unique fusion of black metal with elements of doom and even classical music, alongside their esoteric and sometimes controversial themes, has made them a cornerstone of extreme metal. They’ve influenced numerous bands, especially within the realms of atmospheric and melodic black metal. Despite the band’s name, Rotting Christ has faced significant controversy, particularly from religious groups, which has only strengthened their reputation as pioneers of the extreme metal underground. Over the years, they’ve incorporated a more refined sound with atmospheric, symphonic, and folk elements, pushing the boundaries of black metal’s traditional sound. Rotting Christ’s impact is immeasurable, especially in terms of how they’ve shaped the evolution of black and doom metal. They’ve built a dedicated fanbase with albums like Non Serviam (1994) and Theogonia (2007), and their constant experimentation and boundary pushing continue to make them relevant in the metal scene.
Septicflesh is known for its grandiose, symphonic approach to death metal. Their use of orchestral elements combined with brutal death metal and black metal characteristics has given them a unique place in the extreme metal world. Septicflesh’s music often explores themes of mythology , ancient civilizations, and the darker sides of human nature. Their music is cinematic in scope, with elaborate orchestration that enhances the themes of their lyrics. Albums like Communion and The Great Mass helped establish Septicflesh as one of the most respected bands in the symphonic death metal genre. Their ability to blend metal with orchestral arrangements created a powerful, dark, and epic atmosphere, influencing many contemporary bands in the process.
Nightfall has been one of the cornerstones of the Greek metal scene. Their style is a mix of blackened death metal, doom, and gothic elements. They have a unique approach that incorporates melodic and atmospheric aspects, alongside their intense, dark themes. Nightfall has often explored mortality, existential despair, religion, and personal suffering, particularly on their albums like Athenian Echoes and Children of Eve. Their lyrics reflect a deep philosophical outlook, focusing on the darker side of human nature. Nightfall has carved out a significant niche within the extreme metal community by blending melody with aggression. They’ve maintained a steady output over the years and have become an essential act within the global black/death metal scene.
Mgła is known for their atmospheric, highly melodic black metal, which often explores themes of nihilism, existentialism, and the futility of human existence. Their music is marked by a cold, foreboding atmosphere. Mgła has become one of the most respected contemporary black metal bands, combining atmospheric elements with a more streamlined, aggressive sound. Their deep philosophical themes and sophisticated songwriting have made them a critical force in modern black metal.
Today, black metal is no longer confined to its early violent acts. While some bands still embrace the chaotic spirit of their forebears, many have moved toward more artistic and philosophical explorations of darkness. The genre remains both a reflection of personal rebellion and an artistic expression of humanity’s darker emotions, engaging with themes like isolation, the supernatural, death, and the occult. Bands continue to carry the torch of traditional black metal, while newer acts are pushing the boundaries of sound and production.
Despite the controversies and the often disturbing history of black metal, the genre has evolved into a multifaceted musical force, respected for its dedication to artistic integrity and its defiance of societal norms. It’s a genre that has consistently pushed boundaries musically, ideologically, and culturally, making it one of the most potent and influential forms of metal to this day.
