Atmospheric Black Metal

Atmospheric Black Metal, often abbreviated as "Ambient Black Metal" or simply "Atmospheric BM", is a subgenre of black metal that emphasizes atmosphere over aggression. The genre has its roots in early to mid-1990s black metal and has become increasingly popular over the past decades. Atmospheric Black Metal is characterized by its use of ambient and atmospheric elements that create an otherworldly and haunting soundscape. Unlike traditional black metal, the focus is on creating an immersive experience that takes the listener on a journey through the music rather than purely focusing on aggression and brutality. Atmospheric BM often features melodic and hypnotic guitar riffs, slow and intense drumming, harsh screams or guttural vocals and the use of soundscapes, synths, and samples. The genre began to take shape in the mid-1990s with bands such as Burzum, Summoning, and Empyrium using atmospheric and ambient elements in their music. Burzum's landmark album Filosofem, released in 1996, contains long ambient tracks with sparse and distant vocals. Summoning, who are often credited as pioneers of the genre, released their debut album Lugburz in 1995, featuring a blend of black metal and Tolkien-inspired atmospheric soundscapes. The early 2000s saw a rise in popularity of Atmospheric BM with bands such as Wolves in the Throne Room, Agalloch, and Alcest leading the charge. Wolves in the Throne Room's 2005 debut album Diadem of 12 Stars is often credited as a classic in the genre, with its combination of blast beats, harsh vocals, and ethereal guitar work. Agalloch's The Mantle, released in 2002, also garnered critical acclaim for its blend of post-rock, folk, and black metal. The genre continued to evolve and expand with bands such as Deafheaven and Ghost Bath, who incorporated elements of shoegaze and post-metal into their music. Deafheaven's 2013 album Sunbather, in particular, received widespread critical acclaim for its unique blend of black metal and shoegaze. Ghost Bath's Moonlover, released in 2015, also gained attention for its highly emotional and atmospheric sound. Today, Atmospheric Black Metal is a vibrant and diverse genre with bands from all around the world contributing to its expanding sound. While the genre is often associated with cold and desolate landscapes and imagery, many bands explore themes such as nature, mysticism, and philosophy. Some notable contemporary bands include Saor, Elderwind, An Autumn for Crippled Children, and Violet Cold.

Alcest: A French band whose music blends black metal with shoegaze and dream pop. Alcest's sound is characterized by soft, ethereal melodies, and Grecian mythology. Wolves in the Throne Room: A pioneering band of the Cascadian black metal movement. The group’s music is influenced by environmentalism and nature, featuring acoustic instruments and field recordings. Agalloch: A Portland-based band combining black metal with post-rock and neofolk. Agalloch pioneered Cascadian black metal with a focus on Pacific Northwest iconography. Drudkh: A Ukrainian band whose music combines atmospheric black metal with folk and ambient elements. The band’s lyrical themes center around Ukrainian folklore, history, and nature. Caladan Brood: An American band whose music is inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's fiction, especially the tales of Middle-earth. Caladan Brood's omnivorous sound brings together long-winded melodies, choral vocals, and post-rock grandiosity. Deathspell Omega: A French band that helped shape the European black metal underground. The band's sound features dissonant riffs, complex song structures, and lyrics exploring philosophy, theology, and metaphysics. Burzum: A Norwegian one-man band who is considered one of the originators of the Norwegian black metal scene. Burzum's early work is characterized by simplistic and raw production styles, with themes of Norse mythology and anti-Christian sentiment. Blut Aus Nord: A French band that defies easy classification, blending black metal with industrial, ambient, and avant-garde sounds. The band's works are conceptual, exploring themes of cosmology, spirituality, and metaphysics. Elderwind: A Russian atmospheric black metal band that evokes the natural beauty of Siberia and Northern Russia. Elderwind's music is driven by delicate melodies, atmospheric keyboards, and clean vocals, creating a dreamy and ethereal atmosphere. Winterfylleth: An English band that combines atmospheric black metal with folk and traditional music. Winterfylleth's music evokes the mythical landscapes and cultural heritage of the English countryside, with themes revolving around Anglo-Saxon history, paganism, and nature.

1. "Frostbitten" - Immortal 2. "Filosofem" - Burzum 3. "Transilvanian Hunger" - Darkthrone 4. "In the Nightside Eclipse" - Emperor 5. "Bergtatt" - Ulver 6. "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" - Burzum 7. "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" - Mayhem 8. "Det Som Engang Var" - Burzum 9. "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk" - Emperor 10. "Under a Funeral Moon" - Darkthrone 11. "A Blaze in the Northern Sky" - Darkthrone 12. "The Mantle" - Agalloch 13. "Far Away from the Sun" - Sacramentum 14. "Ashes Against the Grain" - Agalloch 15. "Dusk... and Her Embrace" - Cradle of Filth 16. "Storm of the Light's Bane" - Dissection 17. "Goatlord" - Darkthrone 18. "Since the Day It All Came Down" - Insomnium 19. "Memoria Vetusta I: Fathers of the Icy Ages" - Blut aus Nord 20. "Tales from the Thousand Lakes" - Amorphis 21. "The Mountains Are Dead" - Woods of Desolation 22. "The Tenth Sub Level of Suicide" - Leviathan 23. "The Ruins of Beverast" - Unlock the Shrine 24. "The Oath of Black Blood" - Beherit 25. "Monumental Possession" - Ancient Wisdom

In David P. Basile’s book, “Extreme Metal: The Essential Listening Companion,” he discusses how atmospheric black metal emerged as a reaction to the more musically and politically aggressive black metal sub-genres. He notes that atmospheric black metal is characterized by its use of atmospheric textures and structures, which are meant to evoke certain emotions. Basile also notes that atmospheric black metal is often described as “cinematic,” as it often incorporates elements of film music. In the book “Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces,” Michael Nelson describes how atmospheric black metal has been influenced by the shoegaze movement. He notes that many atmospheric black metal bands draw on the atmospheric qualities of shoegaze, but infuse it with the intensity and aggression of black metal. According to Nelson, this fusion has created a sub-genre that is both beautiful and terrifying. In a review of atmospheric black metal written for Pitchfork, writer Grayson Haver Currin notes that the genre is often described as “ambient,” but that this is a misnomer. He points out that atmospheric black metal is not ambient because it is not meant to be background music. Instead, the music is designed to create a sensory experience, much like a film or a theatrical production. In his book, “Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult,” author Dayal Patterson notes that atmospheric black metal has become incredibly popular in recent years. He argues that this is because the genre offers a more introspective and transcendent experience than other black metal sub-genres. Patterson also notes that atmospheric black metal often explores themes of nature and spirituality, making it a more philosophical form of black metal. Notably, many musicians have offered their own thoughts on atmospheric black metal. In an interview with Decibel Magazine, James Kelly, the vocalist and guitarist of the atmospheric black metal band, Altar of Plagues, describes how atmospheric black metal is about creating a sense of immersion. He notes that the music is meant to be a “total experience,” with the listener becoming completely absorbed in the sonic landscape. In another interview with Decibel Magazine, Neige, the founder of the atmospheric black metal band Alcest, notes how the genre has evolved over the years. He argues that atmospheric black metal has become more diverse and experimental, with bands drawing on a wider range of influences. However, he also notes that the genre still retains its core emphasis on creating atmosphere and emotion.

The social and cultural context of Atmospheric Black Metal can be traced back to the early 1990s when black metal was at its peak in Scandinavia. One of the most significant factors that contributed to the emergence of the genre was the cultural and political climate in Scandinavia during this time. The early 1990s saw a rise in extreme right-wing ideologies and nationalist sentiments in countries like Sweden and Norway, which had a profound impact on the black metal scene. Many black metal bands started incorporating elements of Nordic mythology, folklore, and paganism in their music, which gave rise to a new subgenre of black metal known as Viking Metal. Another factor that played a significant role in the emergence of Atmospheric Black Metal was the evolution of black metal as a musical style. As black metal became more popular, bands started experimenting with different styles and sounds. The emergence of bands like Emperor, Burzum, and Ulver signaled a shift towards a more atmospheric and ambient sound, where the focus was on creating a dark and haunting atmosphere rather than just being fast and aggressive. Notable record labels like Cacophonous Records, No Fashion Records, and Season of Mist played a significant role in promoting Atmospheric Black Metal. These labels were instrumental in bringing the genre to a wider audience, and their support helped establish it as a distinct and recognizable subgenre of black metal. Journalists and other figures in the metal community also played a vital role in shaping the social and cultural context of Atmospheric Black Metal. Writers like Jon "Metalion" Kristiansen (founder of legendary Norwegian black metal magazine Slayer), Ian Christe (author of the book Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal), and Dayal Patterson (author of the book Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult) helped document the history and evolution of black metal, including its various subgenres, including Atmospheric Black Metal. The technological context also played a crucial role in the development of Atmospheric Black Metal. The emergence of digital recording technology and computer-based music production tools allowed musicians to experiment with sound in new and innovative ways. Many Atmospheric Black Metal bands rely heavily on electronic sounds, samples, and elaborate instrumentation, which can be traced back to the evolution of technology in the music industry.