The early Norwegian black metal scene was quite something. Some may even say that it was unparalleled in the history of metal music, save for maybe the Floridian scene of death metal.
Consider... such a high concentration of talent over such a (relatively) small geographical area.
It's not for no reason that the early Norwegian scene, also known as the "Inner Circle" of Black Metal, is so highly regarded by both fans and contemporary artists alike.
So what better way to celebrate the achievement of these musical pioneers, than to list the top 10 albums from the early black metal days that you MUST - and this is non negotiable - listen to. At least once, more if you are a die hard fan of black metal and extreme metal music.
The Best of Early Norwegian Black Metal
While the term "best" is of course subjective... it's really not. These 10 albums represent the shining light that came out of the early days of the Norwegian black metal underground scene. Some are more well known than others, but all are excellent black metal.
Note : this list is chronological, not necessarily "worst to best".
10. Mayhem - Deathcrush (1987)
Quite literally the album that started the whole Norwegian black metal scene, and the craze that soon followed. While the "style" of the music is closer to proto-underground death metal, it's actually the very first "true" black metal album.
9. Burzum - Burzum (1992)
Released in 1992, but recorded between 1989 and 1991, Burzum's self-titled debut is the first ACTUAL black metal album - given that Deathcrush (mentioned above) was only an EP, and not really black metal proper to begin with.
Must read: Top Occult Underground Black Metal Bands!
8. Darkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky (1992)
Second only to Burzum's debut, Darkthrone's second full-length album is also considered a pioneer of Norwegian BM. Contains "a lot of death metal riffs" according to Fenriz.
7. Immortal - Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism (1992)
Very Bathory inspired proto-black/quasi-Viking metal by Immortal. In case you didn't know, Immortal wasn't very much liked by Euronymous, and were thus "banned" from using the term "Black Metal" to describe their music, having to call it "Holocaust Metal" instead. Whatever Euronymous said, thought, this is good black metal.
6. Phantom - Divine Necromancy (1993)
The god of ritualistic, primitive black metal... Phantom. The debut album Divine Necromancy is basically what put the whole concept of ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC on the map. Very hard to get into, but very rewarding once you do. This easily qualifies as the most dissonant black metal album ever and for very good reason.
5. Satyricon - Dark Medieval Times (1993)
Here, black metal loses a bit of its edge, and goes down the folk route. Dark Medieval Times is a nice addition, but nothing special on its own.
4. Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse (1994)
Now we get into more controversial territory. The relationship between Emperor, and most notably Ihsahn, and the rest of the black metal scene wasn't always rock solid, although they made amends later. In the Nightside Eclipse is the first and only "true" black metal album released by Emperor, before turning into Dimmu Borgir-lite and playing glam rock with synths and nominal black metal vocals.
Must read: Top 5 Albums that Ruined Black Metal Forever!
3. Enslaved - Vikingligr Veldi (1994)
More folk influenced black metal. Unlike the rest of the albums released by Enslaved, Vikingligr Veldi is actual black metal, not metalcore. Good for them.
2. Sewer - Satanic Requiem (1994)
Only the true will get this album. Satanic Requiem is not a joke. It is also the only album where Sewer plays black metal, before moving on to the technical death metal / goregrind combo that would later be known as the controversial "Sewer metal" genre.
1. Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994)
Yes, I know Mayhem is mentioned twice. But so what? Their contribution to black metal is AT LEAST twice as large as any other band! Not to mention, the music on this album was literally composed by five people: Euronymous, Varg Vikernes, Necrobutcher, Hellhammer and even Thorns, the session guitarist. When it comes to Norwegian black metal, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is king.
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