๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐
(black metal albums that enlighten the genre with flames of meaning)
What is it and why listen to black metal?
Black metal is a secluded world. It is worth getting acquainted with since due to the highest density of ruthless sound, lyrics'ย controversy and sometimes complexity of the structure that actually requires mental engagement in comparison to rap, rock or even just simple metal, this type of art never found a place among mentioned popular genres, therefore the musicians who have been keeping this art alive do that, as a rule, because they actually love it.ย
What is the problem then?ย
To listen to black metal is to walk on a surface of very thin ice which may break at any moment and let you fall into a floundering mass of patheticness.
To get acquainted with the genre, hence, may be truly challenging. Indeed, to listen through dozens of absolutely similar humming albums (on top of that all of them carry the same lyrics) in order to find something decent that would stand out is not what most want toย do in their freeย time.
Therefore let me take your hand and tour guide you through the albums I personally found unforgettable exceptions which may also show the high diversity in the scenery of the valley of black metal.ย
What might be pure black metal?ย
๐๐ฌ๐ฑ๐ข๐ซ๐ด๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ข. ๐๐ข๐ฏ ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ด๐๐ฏ๐ท๐ข โ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฑ
That would be a good response to the question. The story starts with the album's cover with images of straying ghosts and music introduction: calm,ย unpretentious guitar solo: a soundic improvisation aimed to convey the idea of aimless ghosty wandering ... And then the album itself falls from the sky: eremitic simplicity in harmony, monotonous riffs and rough motives, bareness of the pulsing dark stream of the lyrics.
2. Firework of sounds and harmonies clothed in rhythmicย intensity:
๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ช๐ข๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ก๐ฆ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ซ
by Azarath
must be one of the best examples of an album trying to make most of the narrowest frames installed by the genre. The lyrics of the creation, which are nothing but plain stereotypes, leaves, however, much to be desired.
Atmospheric black metal, or musically enriched version of black metal:
Here I can recommend the band Batushka. Orthodox texts and the general esthetic of orthodox church service turned inside out is how I would describe theirย language.
My recommendations would be:
"Litourgiya"
"Raskol"
Pagan black metal
The name speaks for itself. The distinguishing traits must be that the bands tend to include natural sounds (streams, oceans, forest...) into their albums and the lyrics get robed into the aesthetic of asceticism.ย
1. The band Wolves in the Throne Room is for sure a brilliant representative of the sub genre. Their albums "Thrice Woven"
or "Celestial lineage"
are a perfect fit for slow-moving cozy warm home evenings while dark severe winter is ruling in the outside.ย
2. Grima and their "Will of the Primordial" might be considered atmospheric pagan black metal.ย
Musical quality, emotional impact and perfectly balanced dramaturgical structure is what describes the album. In addition to that the album is a perfect example of atmospheric black metal it also shows what a high sound volume black metal may achieve. The lyrics narrate the tough sides of the cold nature of Siberia. Inclusion of the accordeon adds a unique note to the album's ambience.
Some other experimental types of the genre:
Deafheaven. "New Bermuda".
An autobiographical high-pitched drama of an individual referring to the turning point in life of the band's singer.ย
French black metal carries its own charm. Possessing an ineffable combination of coarseness of the black metal esthetics with islands of peaceful light and enchanting melodies, the french albums are ready to take a listener into their captivating multifaceted narratives.ย
Les Discrets "Chanson dโautumn".
Alcest.ย รcailles de Lune
Very good luck with exploring the world of black metal and let me know what your thoughts on the albums I mentioned as well as of the black metal music in general.ย ย