Black Metal

Black Metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1980s in Norway. It is known for its dark and aggressive style, usually incorporating fast-paced tempos, blast beats, tremolo-picked guitars and shrieking vocals. Black Metal is often associated with controversial topics such as Satanism, occultism and anti-Christianity. The origins of Black Metal can be traced back to the early 1980s when the first wave of extreme metal bands emerged in Europe. Bands like Venom, Celtic Frost and Bathory were among the pioneers of this movement, which was characterized by harsh and brutal music. However, it wasn't until the late 1980s that Black Metal began to take shape as a distinct sub-genre. In the late 1980s, a group of Norwegian musicians who were influenced by the first wave of extreme metal began to form bands that would eventually define the sound of Black Metal. These musicians were inspired by the aggressive and primitive approach of early black metal bands, but also incorporated elements of traditional Scandinavian folk music into their music. One of the most influential bands in the early days of Black Metal was Mayhem, who formed in 1984. They were known for their extreme live shows, which often involved animal sacrifices and other controversial acts. Mayhem's music was also extremely aggressive, incorporating elements of thrash metal and punk rock. Another important early Black Metal band was Burzum, formed in 1991 by musician Varg Vikernes. Burzum was known for its use of atmospheric keyboards and ambient elements, as well as its controversial lyrics and Vikernes' personal beliefs in neo-Nazism and paganism. The early years of Black Metal were characterized by a strong sense of rebellion against mainstream society and traditional values. Many of the bands were openly anti-Christian and embraced Satanic or pagan ideologies. This would lead to a number of infamous incidents, including the murder of Mayhem guitarist Euronymous by Burzum's Varg Vikernes in 1993. Despite the controversies surrounding Black Metal, the genre continued to evolve and gain popularity throughout the 1990s and beyond. Bands like Emperor, Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth helped to bring the sound of Black Metal to a wider audience, incorporating elements of symphonic, operatic and gothic music into their sound. Today, Black Metal continues to be one of the most popular and influential sub-genres in heavy metal music. Bands from all over the world continue to embrace the aggressive and dark style of Black Metal, while incorporating new elements and pushing the boundaries of the genre.

Burzum: This one-man band from Norway, formed by Varg Vikernes, is regarded as one of the pioneers of the black metal genre. Burzum's music is known for its raw, lo-fi sound and its incorporation of elements of Nordic folk music. Mayhem: Hailing from Norway, Mayhem is one of the most infamous black metal bands in history, known for its extreme ideology and violent stage performances. The band's early releases, such as "Deathcrush" and "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas," are considered classics of the genre. Darkthrone: Another Norwegian band, Darkthrone, has been active since the late 1980s and is known for its raw, stripped-down sound and its influence on the second wave of black metal. The band's early releases such as "A Blaze in the Northern Sky" and "Transilvanian Hunger" are considered classics of the genre. Emperor: One of the most influential bands of the second wave of black metal, Emperor, from Norway, combined symphonic elements with black metal to create an epic, atmospheric sound. Their albums "In the Nightside Eclipse" and "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk" are regarded as some of the best in the genre. Immortal: This Norwegian band is known for its distinctive corpse-paint and its incorporation of elements of folk and Viking metal. Their album "At the Heart of Winter" is often cited as a classic of the genre. Bathory: Hailing from Sweden, Bathory is often credited with inventing the black metal genre in its early days. Their early albums, such as "Bathory" and "Under the Sign of the Black Mark," are considered classics of the genre. Watain: A Swedish black metal band known for its intense live shows and its incorporation of Satanic imagery and themes. Their albums "Casus Luciferi" and "Sworn to the Dark" are considered some of the best in the genre. Gorgoroth: A Norwegian black metal band known for its extreme, Satanic imagery and its early association with the Norwegian black metal scene. Their albums "Pentagram" and "Under the Sign of Hell" are regarded as classics of the genre. Enslaved: Hailing from Norway, Enslaved is known for its incorporation of elements of progressive and Viking metal into the black metal genre. The band's album "Below the Lights" is often cited as a classic of the genre. Satyricon: This Norwegian band is known for its incorporation of industrial and experimental elements into the black metal genre. Their albums "Nemesis Divina" and "Volcano" are considered some of the best in the genre.

1. De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas - Mayhem 2. Filosofem - Burzum 3. Transilvanian Hunger - Darkthrone 4. Hvis Lyset Tar Oss - Burzum 5. In the Nightside Eclipse - Emperor 6. Bergtatt – Et Eeventyr I 5 Capitler - Ulver 7. Det Som Engang Var - Burzum 8. A Blaze in the Northern Sky - Darkthrone 9. Pure Holocaust - Immortal 10. Under a Funeral Moon - Darkthrone 11. Antichrist - Gorgoroth 12. The Somberlain - Dissection 13. Mardraum - Immortal 14. Storm of the Light's Bane - Dissection 15. Frost - Enslaved 16. Nemesis Divina - Satyricon 17. Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk - Emperor 18. The Return...... - Bathory 19. Satanic Blood - Von 20. Thy Mighty Contract - Rotting Christ 21. Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism - Immortal 22. Axioma Ethica Odini - Enslaved 23. Apocalyptic Raids - Hellhammer 24. The Secrets of the Black Arts - Dark Funeral 25. Pure Evil and Hate - Immortal

Many books have been written on the subject of black metal, seeking to explore the origins and meaning of this controversial genre. One of the most notable of these books is "Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground," written by Michael Moynihan and Didrik Soderlind. The book, which was first published in 1998, examines the origins of black metal in Norway, and traces its evolution from a small, underground movement to a global phenomenon. One of the most controversial aspects of black metal is its association with violence and extremist ideology. In "Lords of Chaos," Moynihan and Soderlind explore the relationship between extremism and black metal, examining the role of bands like Mayhem and Burzum in the rise of a violent and radical underground movement. Despite its controversial subject matter, "Lords of Chaos" has been widely praised for its insightful analysis and its detailed exploration of the origins and meaning of black metal. Critic Ian Christe has called the book "a masterpiece of cultural analysis," while author and cultural critic Greil Marcus has described it as "fascinating and morbidly compelling." Another notable book on black metal is "Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult," written by writer and musician Dayal Patterson. The book, which was published in 2013, offers a comprehensive overview of the history of black metal, tracing its evolution from its roots in the 1980s to the present day. In "Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult," Patterson explores the ideological and aesthetic aspects of black metal, examining the role of mythology, ritual, and iconography in shaping the genre. Patterson also provides extensive interviews with key figures in the black metal scene, including members of bands like Darkthrone, Satyricon, and Emperor. Notable quotes on black metal include the following: - "Black metal represents one of the most extreme, transgressive, and inflammatory forms of musical expression known to man." - Ian Christe, author of "Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal" - "Black metal is an aesthetic expression of a deeply rooted dissatisfaction with modern society and a desire to transcend its limitations." - Dayal Patterson, author of "Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult" - "Black metal is a protest against the prevailing norms of society, a rejection of mainstream values, and a celebration of the extremes of human emotion and experience." - Michael Moynihan and Didrik Soderlind, authors of "Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground"

The origins of Black Metal can be traced back to the early days of the Norwegian metal scene, which was characterized by underground bands and DIY organization. The social context of the time was marked by a sense of rebellion and opposition to mainstream culture, as well as a dissatisfaction with the political and economic situation in the country. In this environment of discontent, Black Metal became a way for young Norwegians to express their anger and frustration towards society and to assert their own identity and values. In addition to the social context, the cultural context of Black Metal was also crucial in its development. The genre drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including traditional Norwegian folk music, classical music, and the works of authors such as H.P. Lovecraft and Friedrich Nietzsche. Black Metal also incorporated elements of Norse mythology, which became a central theme in the lyrical content of many bands. The cultural heritage of Norway and its fascination with the occult and the supernatural helped shape the overall aesthetic and sound of Black Metal. The emergence of Black Metal was also heavily influenced by technological innovations in the music industry. The rise of home recording equipment and the availability of cheap cassette tapes made it easier for underground bands to record and distribute their music. This allowed Black Metal bands to bypass traditional record labels and connect directly with their fanbase. The Norwegian label, ‘Deathlike Silence Productions’, founded by Euronymous of Mayhem, was one of the earliest record labels to specialize in Black Metal and helped to spread the genre across Europe. Another key figure in the development of Black Metal was the journalist and author, Jon Kristiansen, who published the zine ‘Necrobutcher’ in the early 1990s. Kristiansen’s publication focused on the Norwegian Black Metal scene and helped to elevate the profile of the music in the wider metal community. Kristiansen later went on to write a book on the subject, entitled ‘Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries’, which has become a seminal work on the history of Black Metal.