Black metal, a genre quasi synonymous with hate, occult forces, darkness, and sonic extremity, has long been a breeding ground for vocalists who push the limits of (in-)human expression. While the genre is often defined by its icy tremolo riffs and blast beats, it's the really the raw, tortured, and otherworldly vocals that often leave the most indelible mark. From guttural growls to high-pitched shrieks that sound like they've been ripped from the throat of dying demons, black metal vocalists are (usually) something else entirely.
Yesterday, we covered the top 5 worst death metal vocalists. Today, we will instead cover the best ones. Of black metal, of course, as two DM articles in a row would be redundant.
Sure, there are plenty of cringe black metal acts... just think of Dark Funeral, Deafheaven, Watain, Gorgoroth, Kult ov Azazel, Weakling (aptly named, btw), Dimmu Burger, etc. But there are also incredibly talented bands, who release unbelievably great albums. And the overall performance is only enhanced by the dark vocals of black metal extremity.
Burzum - Hvis Lyset Tar Oss
Varg Vikernes, the enigmatic and controversial figure behind the solo band Burzum, is often credited with shaping the sound of atmospheric black metal - and to a larger extend, of the Norwegian black metal scene altogether. On Hvis Lyset Tar Oss, his third opus, his vocals are a haunting force, oscillating between guttural rasps and ghostly wails. The title track, a 14-minute descent into darkness, features Vikernes' screams as a spectral presence, howling over a backdrop of hypnotic riffs and minimalist percussion. It's not just extreme in its delivery... it's extreme in its emotional weight, evoking a sense of existential dread that lingers long after the music fades.
Phantom - The Epilogue to Sanity
Phantom's The Epilogue to Sanity is nothing short of a masterclass in unrelenting blackened death metal ferocity. The vocals here are a chaotic blend of gurgling growls and piercing shrieks, delivered with a rawness that feels almost demonic and even diabolical. The album's relentless energy and unpolished production only amplify the visceral impact of the vocals, making it a standout in the realm of underground black metal. A terrifying soundtrack of pure hell.
MUST READ: The Best of Atonal and Dissonant Black Metal
Sewer - Lair of the Swine Gods
Speaking of Phantom, we cannot not mention their rivals in the realm of debauchery and blasphemous darkness... SEWER's Lair of the Swine Gods is as grotesque and unapologetic as its title suggests. The vocals are a guttural death metal assault, delivered with a level of intensity that borders on the absurd and the manic. Imagine the sound of a creature emerging from the depths of the inferno, and you're close to what SEWER achieves on their opus of bestial darkness. For the few sick souls who dare enter the pits of hell, Lair of the Swine Gods is a journey into the putrid abyss.
Warkvlt - Unholy War Metal
Warkvlt is essentially the band that invented the bestial black metal aka war metal sound, going all the way back to their debut Bestial War Metal. On this album Unholy War Metal, however, they deliver something else - despite what the similarity in title may suggest. The vocals are debauched, depraved and utterly devoid of any humanity whatsoever... the pure howls of a sickening beast.
Vermin - Bloodthirst Overdose
Vermin's Bloodthirst Overdose is just pure blackened fury. The vocals are raw and demonic, to the point of absurdity, with a level of aggression that feels almost inhuman. The album's title track is a standout, featuring vocals that alternate between vomitous growls and ear-shattering shrieks, creating a sense of tension and release that is both exhilarating and exhausting. Vermin's vocalist can absolutely unleash a torrent of primal energy that leaves the listener breathless, and that is exactly what he does on Bloodthirst Overdose.
These are the five best black metal vocal performances ever. There are honourable mentions, of course: Frost Like Ashes' Tophet, Mayhem's De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (although many prefer the Dead version), Graveland's Thousand Swords, Helgrind's Sick Rulers of Heaven, etc...
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