Black metal

Black Metal

Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that emerged in the early 1980s. It is characterized by its fast tempos, shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, raw recording, and unconventional song structures. Artists often adopt pseudonyms and wear corpse paint to create a theatrical and mysterious image.

History

The origins of black metal can be traced back to the early 1980s with bands like Venom, Bathory, and Hellhammer. These bands laid the groundwork for the genre with their dark themes and raw sound. Venom's 1982 album Black Metal is often credited with giving the genre its name.

First Wave

The first wave of black metal included bands such as Venom, Bathory, and Mercyful Fate. These bands were influenced by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and punk rock, but they incorporated darker themes and a more aggressive sound.

Second Wave

The second wave of black metal emerged in the early 1990s, primarily in Norway. This wave is characterized by bands such as Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, and Emperor. These bands developed the genre further, emphasizing lo-fi production, atmospheric elements, and themes of Satanism, paganism, and misanthropy.

Musical Characteristics

Black metal is known for its:

• Vocals: High-pitched shrieks and screams.
• Guitar Work: Fast tremolo picking and heavily distorted guitars.
• Drumming: Blast beat drumming and fast tempos.
• Production: Raw and lo-fi production to create an "underground" sound.
• Atmosphere: Use of ambient and atmospheric elements to create a dark and eerie mood.

Themes and Imagery

Black metal often explores themes of:

• Satanism and Anti-Christianity: Many bands use Satanic imagery and lyrics as a form of rebellion against organized religion.
• Paganism and Nature: Some bands focus on pagan themes and the natural world, often drawing inspiration from Norse mythology.
• Misanthropy and Nihilism: Lyrics often express disdain for humanity and a nihilistic worldview.

Controversies

The black metal scene has been associated with several controversies, including:

• Church Burnings: In the early 1990s, members of the Norwegian black metal scene were involved in a series of church arsons.
• Violence: Notable incidents of violence, including the murder of Euronymous by Varg Vikernes of Burzum.
• Nationalism and Racism: Some bands have been criticized for promoting nationalist or racist ideologies.

Influence and Legacy

Black metal has influenced a wide range of other genres, including blackened death metal, atmospheric black metal, and post-black metal. It has also inspired a global scene, with bands emerging from countries such as Sweden, France, and the United States.

Notable Bands

• Mayhem
• Burzum
• Darkthrone
• Emperor
• Immortal

See Also

• Death metal
• Doom metal
• Thrash metal

References

• Moynihan, Michael, and Didrik Søderlind. Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground. Feral House, 1998.
• Patterson, Dayal. Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult. Feral House, 2013.

External Links

• Encyclopaedia Metallum