Dark Metal

A brief history of Dark Metal

Dark Metal is a genre of music that has evolved over the years to become one of the most popular sub-genres in the heavy metal scene. Known for its haunting melodies, dark themes, and heavy use of distortion, its roots can be traced back to the late 1980s and early 1990s. This genre is often associated with bands such as Type O Negative, My Dying Bride, and Katatonia, to name but a few.

In its early years, Dark Metal was a sub-genre of Death Metal, although it quickly evolved and came to be associated with Gothic Rock, Dark Wave, and Doom Metal. Its earliest influences can be traced back to the pioneering work of bands such as Black Sabbath, who laid the groundwork for the heavy metal genre as a whole. Other early influences include the likes of Alice Cooper, Kiss, and Iron Maiden, who all incorporated elements of the macabre and dark into their music.

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, bands like Paradise Lost, Katatonia, and Type O Negative were experimenting with darker themes and more melancholy musical styles. This led to the emergence of a new sub-genre known as Gothic Metal, which combined elements of Doom Metal, Gothic Rock, and Death Metal. Bands like these were known for their introspective lyrics, often focusing on themes such as depression, suicide, and death.

As the 1990s progressed, Dark Metal continued to evolve and grow. Bands like Opeth, Anathema, and My Dying Bride emerged, taking the genre even further into the realms of darkness and despair. These bands incorporated more progressive and experimental elements, moving away from traditional heavy metal influences and delving deeper into the realm of atmospheric music.

One of the defining characteristics of Dark Metal is its heavy use of distortion, which gives the music a darker, more ominous quality. This technique, combined with the use of minor keys and haunting melodies, creates an overall sense of sadness and despair that is typical of the genre. Lyrically, Dark Metal often explores themes of loss, isolation, and alienation, and its fans are often drawn to the genre as a way of coping with their own personal struggles.

Today, Dark Metal continues to be a popular sub-genre within the wider heavy metal scene. Although it has evolved considerably since its early days, its distinctive sound and themes remain a defining characteristic of the genre. Bands like Ghost Bath, Harakiri for the Sky, and Agalloch continue to push the boundaries of Dark Metal, creating new and innovative sounds that keep the genre fresh and exciting.

Notable Dark Metal artists

Opeth: This Swedish band is known for their unique fusion of death and progressive metal, incorporating elements of folk and jazz. Their early albums leaned more towards heavy death metal, but they gradually incorporated more clean vocals and acoustic guitar work. Notable albums include “Blackwater Park” and “Ghost Reveries.”

Agalloch: Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Agalloch creates a blend of black, folk, and post-rock elements in their music. They often incorporate acoustic guitars, string instruments, and atmospheric soundscapes. Notable albums include “The Mantle” and “Ashes Against the Grain.”

My Dying Bride: This English band helped pioneer the death-doom subgenre in the early 90s with their album “Turn Loose the Swans.” They often include violin and keyboards in their music, and have been known for their poetic lyrics and themes of sorrow and despair.

Katatonia: Initially a death-doom band from Sweden, Katatonia evolved into a more subdued and atmospheric sound with their album “Brave Murder Day.” They balance clean and harsh vocals, with melancholic melodies and introspective lyrics.

Type O Negative: Known for their dark humor and gothic influences, Type O Negative was a gothic metal band from Brooklyn, New York. Their sound often incorporated elements of doom and black metal, and their lyrics often dealt with themes of love, death, and sex.

Paradise Lost: This English band is considered one of the pioneers of gothic metal, incorporating elements of doom and death metal in their sound. They often balance clean and harsh vocals, with slow, heavy riffs and melancholic melodies. Notable albums include “Gothic” and “Draconian Times.”

Anathema: Initially a death-doom band, Anathema from Liverpool, England, evolved into a more atmospheric and experimental sound with their album “Eternity.” They often incorporate clean vocals, piano, and electronic elements in their music, and their lyrics often deal with themes of love, loss, and spirituality.

Moonspell: This Portuguese band incorporates elements of black and gothic metal in their sound, often featuring clean vocals and orchestral arrangements. Their albums often explore dark themes and occult imagery.

Tiamat: This Swedish band helped pioneer the gothic metal subgenre with their album “Wildhoney,” incorporating elements of doom and death metal in their sound. They often balance clean and harsh vocals, with introspective lyrics and melancholic melodies.

Septicflesh: This Greek band incorporates elements of symphonic and death metal in their sound, often featuring orchestral arrangements and choral vocals. Their albums often explore themes of mythology, history, and spirituality. Notable albums include “Communion” and “The Great Mass.”

25 Dark Metal records you should hear

1. Burzum – “Filosofem”
2. Emperor – “In the Nightside Eclipse”
3. Darkthrone – “Transilvanian Hunger”
4. Mayhem – “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”
5. Gorgoroth – “Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt”
6. Beherit – “Drawing Down the Moon”
7. Satyricon – “Nemesis Divina”
8. Dimmu Borgir – “Enthrone Darkness Triumphant”
9. Ulver – “Bergtatt”
10. Dissection – “Storm of the Light’s Bane”
11. Marduk – “Panzer Division Marduk”
12. Watain – “Lawless Darkness”
13. Dark Funeral – “The Secrets of the Black Arts”
14. Immortal – “At the Heart of Winter”
15. Celtic Frost – “To Mega Therion”
16. 1349 – “Hellfire”
17. Nifelheim – “Envoy of Lucifer”
18. Rotting Christ – “Thy Mighty Contract”
19. Carpathian Forest – “Black Shining Leather”
20. Taake – “Nattestid Ser Porten Vid”
21. Enslaved – “Eld”
22. Bathory – “Blood Fire Death”
23. Inquisition – “Obscure Verses for the Multiverse”
24. Shining – “V - Halmstad”
25. Leviathan – “Scar Sighted”

Dark Metal and the charts

A notable name in Dark Metal is Type O Negative, which topped the charts with their 1996 album “October Rust” that sold over a million copies worldwide. The band’s fusion of gothic rock and Black Sabbath’s sound was well-received by music lovers in the late 1990s, and their haunting sound reverberated long into the 2000s.

Another influential Dark Metal band that achieved considerable chart success is Cradle of Filth. Based out of England, the group’s 2003 album “Damnation and a Day” was a defining moment in its career. The album debuted at number 39 on the Billboard 200 charts and achieved Gold certification. This success cemented Cradle of Filth’s reputation as one of the most successful Dark Metal bands in the world.

Another successful Dark Metal album that deserves mention is Swedish band Opeth’s 2005 release “Ghost Reveries.” The album showcased the group’s versatility, as they combined some of the most intricate Black and Death Metal arrangements with progressive rock elements. This helped it receive universal acclaim from critics and fans alike, with some media outlets naming it as the best album of 2005. This achievement brought the band to a new level of international fame, with the band performing at some of the world’s most prestigious music festivals and selling out arenas around the world.

One of the most defining Dark Metal acts since the early 2000s has been Avenged Sevenfold. The California-based band has released numerous chart-topping albums over the years, but it was their fifth studio effort, “Nightmare,” which truly elevated their profile. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 charts and featured some of the band’s heaviest material yet. The track “God Hates Us” showcased the band’s talent for combining crushing metal riffs with a hint of pop sensibility, a quality that has made them a household name in the music world.

Dark Metal band Behemoth has also made waves in the music industry in recent years. Their album “The Satanist,” released in 2014, was a fan favorite and became one of the most renowned in the genre. It reached the #34 spot on the Billboard 200 charts, a considerable feat for a Death Metal album. The Polish act has since solidified its position at the forefront of the genre, with their music gaining mainstream popularity and critical acclaim.

Dark Metal band Ghost is another act that has made waves in the charts. The Swedish group’s music leans heavily on occult imagery and themes, and they’ve developed a firm cult following over the years. Their fourth album, 2018’s “Prequelle,” was a massive commercial success, reaching the top spot on various charts worldwide. The album highlighted the band’s highly melodic brand of Dark Metal, which has won them legions of fans around the world.

What people have said about Dark Metal

In his book “Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult,” author Dayal Patterson writes: “Dark Metal is the bastard offspring of the darker strains of black metal, death metal, and doom metal. It is a sound that is both nihilistic and haunting, reveling in the darkness and pain of human existence while simultaneously offering a sense of transcendence and release.”

In an article for Metal Injection, author Robert Pasbani writes: “The emergence of dark metal as a sub-genre in recent years has been a welcome addition to the metal scene. This combination of black metal, death metal, and doom metal is a unique and powerful blend that offers a fresh take on extreme music.”

Author and music journalist Jon Wiederhorn writes: “Dark metal is a genre that explores the darker aspects of human existence - it is a soundtrack for the disaffected and disillusioned. This music is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to explore their darkest thoughts and emotions.”

In his book “Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings,” author David N. Howard writes: “Dark metal is a genre that thrives on atmosphere and texture. The use of complex arrangements, dissonant harmonies, and heavily distorted guitars creates a sonic landscape that is both dense and expansive, drawing the listener in and immersing them in a darkly beautiful world.”

Music journalist and author Chuck Eddy writes: “Dark metal is the perfect soundtrack for a world that has lost its way. It represents the darker, more chaotic side of existence - a world filled with pain and darkness, but also with the potential for beauty and transcendence.”

Music critic Alex Young writes: “At its core, dark metal is a genre that defies classification. It is a sound that challenges established conventions and expectations, creating something that is both uniquely its own and yet constantly evolving.”

In his book “Heavy Metal: The Music and Its Culture,” author Deena Weinstein writes: “Dark metal is a genre that pushes the boundaries of what is possible with heavy music. It is an exploration of the darker aspects of human existence, a journey that is both terrifying and exhilarating.”

Dark Metal in context

The early 1990s saw a drastic shift in the political and social landscape of Scandinavia, which played a significant role in shaping the sound and themes of dark metal. Norway was recovering from a period of economic and political recessions, leading to disillusionment and frustration among the youth. The rising popularity of black metal gave a voice to this frustration, with bands and fans rebelling against societal norms and conventions.

The genre grew out of the cultural context of black metal, which had already evolved in Norway and Sweden since the 1980s. The influence of bands like Venom, Bathory, Hellhammer, and Celtic Frost can be seen in the early compositions of dark metal bands. The genre’s lyrical themes and musical style were also influenced by gothic rock and death metal.

The emergence of dark metal coincided with the development of new technology, particularly in music production. The availability of affordable recording equipment and the rise of independent labels made it easier for dark metal bands to record and distribute their music. One notable label that emerged during this time was No Fashion Records, which signed bands like Marduk, Dissection, and Gehenna.

The genre also received a significant boost from the media, and in particular, journalists who were fascinated by the dark and mysterious imagery accompanying the music. The media attention led to the emergence of notable figures such as Varg Vikernes, the infamous leader of the Norwegian black metal band Burzum. Vikernes became an icon in the genre, with his violent actions and beliefs inspiring several other bands in the scene.

The rise of the internet and social media also played a crucial role in the development of dark metal. Online forums and message boards allowed fans to connect with each other and share information about the genre. This helped to spread the sound and message of the genre beyond Scandinavia, with bands from the USA, UK, and Germany emerging in the late 1990s. The internet also allowed fans to access music and information about bands that they would not have had access to before.

If you like Dark Metal you may like..

Black Metal: characterized by tremolo guitar riffs, shrieking vocals, and fast tempos.

Gothic Metal: combines elements of gothic rock and heavy metal, often featuring dark, romantic lyrics and a dramatic visual aesthetic.

Death Metal: known for its aggressive and highly technical instrumentation, guttural vocals, and lyrics that often deal with violence and gore.

Doom Metal: focuses on slow and heavy rhythms, often featuring monolithic guitar riffs and a somber, melancholic atmosphere.

Symphonic Metal: combines elements of classical music and heavy metal, featuring orchestral arrangements and operatic vocals.