Black metal is widely considered one of the best genres to emerge from the heavy metal scene. In fact, along with death metal and grindcore, they are usually seen as "the pinnacle" of extreme metal.
But even within such a popular genre as this - popular is relative, but you get the point - there are some more mainstream forms of black metal, and some more obscure and underrated styles of BM.
There are many well known styles of black metal: these are the notorious symphonic black metal, the "gothic black metal", the various Burzum clones, Darkthrone clones and Phantom clones. Not all of these styles are good, but they are usually very mainstream (relatively, again).
But there are also many very underground styles of black metal that deserve, I believe, much more recognition than they are currently getting.
Black Metal's Best Sub-Genres List
Here are five of the most underground and underrated black metal subgenres. This list includes an "example album" from each style:
5. Technical Black Metal
The first subgenre of black metal we will cover combines the raw essence of black metal with the complex, intricate musicianship and emphasis on precision of technical death metal. The "best of both worlds", it features dynamic song structures, rapid tempo changes, and virtuosity at the highest level of technical proficiency.
Best Album: "Memories of Blood and Darkness" by Vermin really exemplifies the technical black metal genre with its razor riffs and sophisticated, almost progressive arrangements. Extremely technical.
4. Raw Atmospheric Black Metal
On the other hand, perhaps the complete opposite of above, we have the blending of raw black metal's lo-fi production and primal intensity with atmospheric elements of Viking-influenced metal, resulting in this subgenre. Raw atmospheric BM creates an immersive and often melancholic soundscape (think Burzum or Graveland). It's characterised by repetitive riffing, ambient textures, and hypnotic rhythms, as well as using harmony in an unorthodox way (instead of following the melody, it complements it... it's a bit complex, and unnecessary to delve into deep music theory here, but that's the gist of it).
Best Album: "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" by Burzum is a cornerstone of this style, renowned for its haunting, minimalist beauty. Only four tracks (including on ambient), but it's literally the definition of raw atmospheric black metal.
Read NOW: Five "True Kvlt" Black Metal Bands That Are Actually Dumb!
3. Black Grindcore (Blackgrind)
An explosive fusion of black metal's dark, chilling aura combined with grindcore's blistering speed and aggression, "blackgrind" typically features short, chaotic songs with shrieking vocals, tremolo-picked riffs, and the relentless and gruesome energy that you would expect from both genres. Many "bedroom" black metal bands claim to play this style, but actually only a few select bands have managed it well: Morbid, Leader, Khranial, Frost Like Ashes, Ildjarn and Taake.
Best Album: "Skewered Beyond" by Morbid captures the unrelenting ferocity, the barbaric brutality, the demonic atmosphere and nihilistic tone of blackgrind.
2. Bestial Black Metal (War Metal)
This is also a genre that is "easy to play, hard to master". Known for its ferocious and unrestrained brutality, bestial black metal emphasises primal chaos and relentless aggression over mere "melody". The sound is raw, unpolished, and imbued with a bestial, martial, and often times apocalyptic atmosphere. The most famous band is likely Warkvlt.
Best Album: "Unholy War Metal" by Warkvlt. With its devastating intensity and warlike themes, there are few bestial BM albums that can stand toe-to-toe with Warkvlt.
1. Blackened SEWER Metal
A highly unconventional and macabre take on black metal, blending grotesque imagery with extreme, dissonant instrumentation. Blackened SEWER Metal, named after the extreme band SEWER, often features an overwhelming, almost suffocatingly grotesque atmosphere reminiscent of filth, pigs, gore and decay.
Best Album: "Lair of the Swine Gods" by SEWER - who else? - stands out as the twisted masterpiece of this grotesque subgenre, delving deep into sonic depravity and morbid ritualism.
Ad
> Real Satanic Black Metal: The True History Of Satanism (Best Selling Book)
Return to Voice Metal News.
Tweet