Black metal#Characteristics

Although contemporary black metal typically refers to the Norwegian style with shrieking vocals and raw production, the term has traditionally been applied to bands with widely differing sounds, such as Death SS, Mercyful Fate, Mayhem, Blasphemy,Emperor. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, p. 274. and the Greek and Finnish bands that emerged around the same time as the Norwegian scene.

Manish Agarwal of Time Out describes black metal as "a cult strain of ultra-thrash" characterized by "icy noise." Norwegian-inspired black metal guitarists usually favor high-pitched or trebly guitar tones and heavy distortion.{{sfn|Kahn-Harris|2007|p=4}} The guitar is usually played with fast, un-muted tremolo picking and power chords.{{sfn|Kahn-Harris|2007|p=4}}{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Campion |title=In the Face of Death |date=20 February 2005 |publisher=Guardian Unlimited |url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,11710,1419364,00.html |work=guardian.co.uk |access-date=4 September 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/Articles/rants/6-668_black_metal_a_brief_guide.aspx |title=CoC : Rant : Black Metal: A Brief Guide |last=Kalis |first=Quentin |date=31 August 2004 |work=Chronicles of Chaos |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831140019/http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/rants/6-668_black_metal_a_brief_guide.aspx |archive-date=31 August 2011 |url-status=dead}} Guitarists often use dissonance—along with specific scales, intervals and chord progressions—to create a sense of dread. The tritone, or flat-fifth, is often used. Guitar solos and low guitar tunings are rare in black metal. The bass guitar is seldom used to play stand-alone melodies. It is common for the bass to be muted against the guitar, or for it to homophonically follow the low-pitched riffs of the guitar. While electronic keyboards are not a standard instrument, some bands, like Dimmu Borgir, use keyboards "in the background" or as "proper instruments" for creating atmosphere.Patterson, Dayal. Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult. Feral House, 2013. p. 301. Some newer black metal bands began raising their production quality and introducing additional instruments such as synthesizers and even orchestras.

The drumming is usually fast and relies on double-bass and blast beats to maintain tempos that can sometimes approach 300 beats per minute. These fast tempos require great skill and physical stamina, typified by black metal drummers Frost (Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad) and Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg).Sharpe-Young, Garry: Rockdetector A-Z of Black Metal; 2001, Cherry Red Books, London, UK; p. i. Even still, authenticity is still prioritized over technique. "This professionalism has to go," insists well-respected drummer and metal historian Fenriz (Gylve Fenris Nagell) of Darkthrone. "I want to de-learn playing drums, I want to play primitive and simple, I don't want to play like a drum solo all the time and make these complicated riffs".Patterson, Dayal: Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult; 2013, Feral House, Port Townsend, Washington; p. 197.

Black metal songs often stray from conventional song structure and often lack clear verse-chorus sections. Instead, many black metal songs contain lengthy and repetitive instrumental sections. The Greek style—established by Rotting Christ, Necromantia and VarathronJ. Campbell: [http://www.nwnprod.com/?p=2078 Varathron "Genesis of the Unaltered Evil" DLP/Triple LP and TS Out Now], 30 January 2012, accessed on 13 December 2012.—has more death metal traits than Norwegian black metal.

File:Gorgoroth I.jpg, spikes and bullet belts. The band was formed by guitarist Infernus to express his Satanist beliefs.{{cite web |url=http://www.gorgoroth.org/band/band.html |title = Bio/Manifesto |publisher = Gorgoroth official website |quote =Gorgoroth was founded by Infernus in 1992 as a strategy to perpetrate sonic and spiritual violence upon the world in order to bring forth change in peoples perception of being therein. Thus, through metal music, Satans minister on earth summoned an avatara of the forces of darkness and did let it manifestate through a variety of attempts on creating what was perceived as ultimate black metal taking form on stage as well as in a variety of studio recordings. [...] With the devoted presence of the new full time members Gaahl and King, as well as a not a day too early achieved social and mental fundament for future work, a deal was inked with the german label Nuclear Blast and the band to a bigger extent adopted the position as a live performance act taking upon them several tours worldwide bringing its sinister presence and the word of Satan to new territories... |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071021010859/http://www.gorgoroth.org/band/band.html |archive-date=21 October 2007 }}]]

Traditional black metal bands tend to favor raspy, high-pitched vocals which include techniques such as shrieking, screaming, and snarling,{{sfn|Kahn-Harris|2007|p=4}} a vocal style influenced by Quorthon of Bathory.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=18f}} Death growls, common in the death metal genre, are sometimes used, but less frequently than the characteristic black metal shriek.{{Cite book|title = The SAGE Handbook of Popular Music|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=2jPtBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT458|publisher = SAGE|date = 19 January 2015|isbn = 9781473914407|first1 = Andy|last1 = Bennett|first2 = Steve|last2 = Waksman|page = 458}}{{Cite book|title = Deleuze and Music|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MkpsrsmYPv0C&pg=PA107|publisher = Edinburgh University Press|date = 1 January 2004|isbn = 9780748618699|first1 = Ian|last1 = Buchanan|first2 = Marcel|last2 = Swiboda|page = 107}}

Manish Agarwal of Time Out describes the lyrical content of black metal as "sacrilegious bile."{{Cite book |last=Agarwal |first=Manish |title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die |publisher=Universe Publishing |year=2005 |pages=498}} Typically, lyrics within the genre decry Christianity and the other institutional religions, often using apocalyptic language and evoking anti-authoritarianism and anti-establishment messages against religious governments and societies.{{cite journal|title="I am Satan!" black metal, Islam and blasphemy in Turkey and Saudi Arabia|journal=Contemporary Islam|volume=12|pages=267–286|date=26 April 2018|first1=Jonas|last1=Otterbeck|first2=Douglas|last2=Mattsson|first3=Orlando|last3=Pastene|issue=3 |doi=10.1007/s11562-018-0418-x|doi-access=free}} Satanic lyrics are common,{{cite AV media|last=Dome |first=Michael |author-link=Malcolm Dome |year=2007 |title=Murder Music: Black Metal |type=motion picture |time={{time needed|date=October 2018}} |publisher=Rockworld TV}} and many see them as essential to black metal. For Satanist black metal artists, "Black metal songs are meant to be like Calvinist sermons; deadly serious attempts to unite the true believers".{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=25}} Misanthropy, global catastrophe, war, death and rebirth are also common themes. Another topic often found in black metal lyrics is that of the wild and extreme aspects and phenomena of the natural world, particularly the wilderness, forests, mountains, winter, storms, and blizzards.{{Cite journal|last=Marone|first=V.|year=2014|title=A Winterhorde in a Ravenrealm: Immortal's lyrics as an expression of Northeroic Gothic|url=https://media.wix.com/ugd/c8fb40_5a122829af3a422fb718923030522f22.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://media.wix.com/ugd/c8fb40_5a122829af3a422fb718923030522f22.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|journal=Aeternum: The Journal of Contemporary Gothic Studies|volume=1 |issue=2|pages=40–60}} Black metal also has a fascination with the distant past. Many bands write about the mythology and folklore{{Cite book|title=Musical Style, Ideology, and Mythology in Norwegian Black Metal (Book chapter in: Metal Rules the Globe: Heavy Metal Music Around the World)|last=Hagen|first=Ross|publisher=Duke University Press|year=2011|location=Durham, NC, USA|pages=180–199}} of their homelands and promote a revival of pre-Christian, pagan traditions. A significant number of bands write lyrics only in their native language and a few (e.g. Arckanum and early Ulver) have lyrics in archaic languages. Some doom metal-influenced artists' lyrics focus on depression, nihilism, introspection, self-harm and suicide.{{cite thesis |last=Ebner |first=Arne |date=25 July 2010 |title=Ästhetik des Doom |type=Bachelor |institution=Macromedia University of Applied Sciences for Media and Communication – Cologne |url=http://doom.resettheworld.com/aesthetik_des_doom_arne_ebner_40mb.pdf |access-date=18 August 2018 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075156/http://doom.resettheworld.com/aesthetik_des_doom_arne_ebner_40mb.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite journal|last1=Sil|first1=Janet|editor1-last=Ishmael|editor1-first=Amelia|editor2-last=Price|editor2-first=Zareen|editor3-last=Stephanou|editor3-first=Aspasia|editor4-last=Woodward|editor4-first=Ben|title=Open a Vein: Suicidal Black Metal and Enlightenment|journal=Helvete: A Journal of Black Metal Theory|date=2013|issue=1|pages=5–19|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WNR9GGaUkTQC&pg=PA5|publisher=Punctum Books|location=Brooklyn|isbn=9780615758282|issn=2326-683X}}{{cite book|last1=Patterson|first1=Dayal|title=Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult|date=2013|publisher=Feral House|location=Port Townsend|isbn=9781936239757|page=351|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-kIxCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA351}}

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of Loudwire (April 16, 2025) [https://loudwire.com/best-black-metal-vocalists/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral]

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Many bands choose not to play live.Marc Spermeth: Besessen von der Dunkelheit und dem Bösen. In: Ablaze, no. 5, May/June 1995, p. 12.Ben Ratliff: [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/arts/music/15metal.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all Thank You, Professor, That Was Putrid]. In: The New York Times, 14 December 2009. Many of those who do play live maintain that their performances "are not for entertainment or spectacle. Sincerity, authenticity and extremity are valued above all else".{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=47}} Some bands consider their concerts to be rituals{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=47}} and often make use of stage props and theatrics. Bands such as Mayhem, Gorgoroth, and Watain are noted for their controversial shows, which have featured impaled animal heads, mock crucifixions, medieval weaponry and band members doused in animal blood.{{cite web |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article723414.ece |title=Aftenposten Norway, Norwegian news in English |last=Tisdall |first=Jonathan |date=4 February 2004 |work=aftenposten.no |access-date=4 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309110157/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article723414.ece |archive-date=9 March 2009}} A few vocalists, such as Dead, Maniac and Kvarforth, are known for cutting themselves while singing onstage.

Black metal artists often appear dressed in black with combat boots, bullet belts, spiked wristbands and inverted crosses and inverted pentagrams to reinforce their anti-Christian or anti-religious stance.{{cite video |last=Dunn |first=Sam |year=2005 |title=Metal: A Headbanger's Journey |type=motion picture |publisher=Seville Pictures}} However, the most widely-known trait is their use of corpse paint—black and white face paint sometimes mixed with real or fake blood, which is used to create a corpse-like or demonic appearance.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

The imagery of black metal reflects its lyrics and ideology. In the early 1990s, most pioneering black metal artists had minimalist album covers featuring xeroxed black-and-white pictures and/or writing. This was partly a reaction against death metal bands, who at that time had begun to use brightly colored album artwork. Many purist black metal artists have continued this style. Black metal album covers are typically dark and tend to be atmospheric or provocative; some feature natural or fantasy landscapes (for example Burzum's Filosofem and Emperor's In the Nightside Eclipse) while others are violent, sexually transgressive, sacrilegious, or iconoclastic (for example Marduk's Fuck Me Jesus and Dimmu Borgir's In Sorte Diaboli).

The earliest black metal artists had very limited resources, which meant that recordings were often made in homes or basements,{{sfn|Kahn-Harris|2007|p=4}} giving their recordings a distinctive "lo-fi" quality. However, even when success allowed access to professional studios, many artists instead chose to continue making lo-fi recordings. Artists believed that by doing so, they would both stay true to the genre's underground roots as well as make the music sound more "raw" or "cold". A well-known example of this approach is on the album Transilvanian Hunger by Darkthrone, a band who Johnathan Selzer of Terrorizer magazine says "represent the DIY aspect of black metal." In addition, lo-fi production was used to keep black metal inaccessible or unappealing to mainstream music fans and those who are not committed. Many have claimed that black metal was originally intended only for those who were part of the scene and not for a wider audience. Former Gorgoroth vocalist Gaahl stated his belief that during the genre's infancy, black metal "was never meant to reach [a wide] audience," and that creating it was "purely for [the members of the scene's] own satisfaction."

Occult and Satanic lyrical themes were present in the music of heavy metal and rock bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s such as Black Sabbath and Coven.Patterson, Dayal. Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult. Feral House, 2013. pp. 1–5.

In the late 1970s, the form of rough and aggressive heavy metal played by the British band Motörhead gained popularity. Many first-wave black metal bands cited Motörhead as an influence. Also popular in the late 1970s, punk rock came to influence the birth of black metal. Tom G. Warrior of Hellhammer and Celtic Frost credited English punk group Discharge as "a revolution, much like Venom", saying, "When I heard the first two Discharge records, I was blown away. I was just starting to play an instrument and I had no idea you could go so far."J. Bennett, "Procreation of the Wicked", Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces, Albert Mudrian, ed., Da Capo Press, pp. 34f.

The use of corpse paint in the black metal imagery was mainly influenced by the American 1970s rock band Kiss.

{{main|First-wave black metal}}

File:Venom live at hellfest.jpg's second album, Black Metal, inspired the name of the genre.]]

The term "black metal" was coined by the English band Venom with their second album Black Metal (1982). Playing a style bordering speed metal or thrash metal, the album initiated the first wave of black metal, forming an early prototype for the genre.{{cite book |last=Sharpe-Young |first=Garry |title=Metal: The Definitive Guide |page=208}} The band introduced many tropes that became ubiquitous in the genre, such as blasphemous lyrics and imagery, as well as stage names, costumes and face paint meant to strike fear.{{cite book |last1=Patterson |first1=Dayal |title=Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult |date=2013 |publisher=Cult Never Dies |pages=14–17}} During this first wave of bands, distinct borders of the genre had not been set, instead, black metal bands existed in a broader extreme metal umbrella alongside the earliest groups in death metal, grindcore and thrash metal.{{cite web |last1=Andrew |first1=J |title=EDITORIALSOrigins of Evil: The Birth of Extreme Metal |url=https://metalinjection.net/editorials/origins-of-evil-the-birth-of-extreme-metal |access-date=22 November 2024}}

Hellhammer, from Switzerland, "made truly raw and brutal music"Daniel Ekeroth: [https://books.google.com/books?id=jRRvfWp95FIC&pg=PA244 Swedish Death Metal]. Second edition. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points 2009, p. 244, accessed on 24 January 2013. with Satanic lyrics, and became an important influence on later black metal;{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=10}} "Their simple yet effective riffs and fast guitar sound were groundbreaking, anticipating the later trademark sound of early Swedish death metal". In 1984, members of Hellhammer formed Celtic Frost,[http://www.triptykon.net/vcf/band/biography.html Biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080527/http://www.triptykon.net/vcf/band/biography.html |date=4 March 2016 }}, accessed on 24 January 2013. whose music "explored more orchestral and experimental territories. The lyrics also became more personal, with topics about inner feelings and majestic stories. But for a couple of years, Celtic Frost was one of the world's most extreme and original metal bands, with a huge impact on the mid-1990s black metal scene".

Another influential early band was Bathory from Sweden. The band, led by Thomas Forsberg (a.k.a. Quorthon), created "the blueprint for Scandinavian black metal".{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=21}} Not only was Bathory's music dark, fast, heavily distorted, lo-fi and with anti-Christian themes, Quorthon was also the first to use the shrieked vocals that later became a common trait.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=18f}} Their third album Under the Sign of the Black Mark (1987) was the first record in the genre to subvert most traditional rock tropes, in a way that led journalist Dayal Patterson that "undoubtedly... create[d] the black metal sound as we know it".{{cite book |last1=Patterson |first1=Dayal |title=Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult |date=2013 |publisher=Cult Never Dies |page=43}}

The Danish band Mercyful Fate influenced the Norwegian scene with their imagery and lyrics.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|1998|p=14-16}}{{cite book|title=Dansk rockleksikon|editor=Bille, Torben|publisher=Politikens Forlag|year=2002|isbn=87-567-6525-8|edition=1st|page=314|language=da|quote=En af grundlæggerne af 'black metal': heavy metal med udtalt satanistiske tekster. [English: One of the founders of 'black metal': heavy metal with pronouncedly satanic lyrics.]}}{{cite book|title=80'er rock: Dansk rock 1980–1990|author=Nielsen, Jens-Emil|publisher=Her & Nu|year=2014|isbn=978-87-93093-85-0|edition=1st|page=74|language=da|quote=[...] sataniske tekster, som gør, at de er med til at skabe undergenren black metal. [English: [...] satanic lyrics, which entails that they are involved in creating the subgenre black metal.]}} Frontman King Diamond, who wore ghoulish black-and-white facepaint on stage, may be one of the inspirators of what became known as 'corpse paint'.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|1998|p=36}} Other artists that were a part of this wave included Germany's Kreator, Sodom and Destruction (from Germany),{{cite journal |last=Lahdenpera |first=Esa |year=1995 |title=Northern Black Metal Legends |journal=Kill Yourself!!! Magazine |issue=4 |url=http://www.fmp666.com/moonlight/mayhem.html |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207234358/http://www.fmp666.com/moonlight/mayhem.html |archive-date=7 February 2012 |url-status=dead}} Italy's Bulldozer and Death SS, Japan's SabbatRonald Ziegler: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20030121034117/http://www.grimrune.com/watain/heint.html Merchandise whorery]}}, accessed on 23 June 2013. and Colombia's Parabellum.{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Parabellum biography |url=http://www.musicmight.com/artist/colombia/medellin/parabellum |publisher=MusicMight |access-date=23 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127004936/http://www.musicmight.com/artist/colombia/medellin/parabellum |archive-date=27 January 2016}}

In 1987, in the fifth issue of his Slayer fanzine, Jon 'Metalion' Kristiansen wrote that "the latest fad of black/Satanic bands seems to be over", citing United States bands Incubus and Morbid Angel, as well as Sabbat from Great Britain as some of the few continuing the genre.Incubus. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, p. 88. However, black metal continued in the underground, with scenes developing in Brazil with Sepultura, Vulcano,{{cite web |last1=Patterson |first1=Dayal |title=10 of the best old school black metal albums |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-best-black-metal-albums-from-the-1980s |website=Metal Hammer |access-date=20 November 2024}} Holocausto{{cite web |last1=Deller |first1=Alex |title='Our drummer used human tibia bones': the hellish birth of Brazil's heavy metal scene |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/26/brazil-heavy-metal-sepultura-holocausto |website=The Guardian |access-date=20 November 2024}} and Sarcófago,"The First Wave", 2005, p. 42. Czechoslovakia with Root, Törr and Master's Hammer,{{cite web |last1=LAGER |first1=JUSTIN THUNDER |title=A HISTORY OF CZECH AND SLOVAK HEAVY SOUNDS |url=https://toiletovhell.com/a-history-of-czech-and-slovak-heavy-sounds/ |access-date=20 November 2024}} and Sweden with Grotesque,Tiamat. In: Slayer, no. 8, 1991, p. 6.Daniel Ekeroth: [https://books.google.com/books?id=jRRvfWp95FIC&pg=PA249 Swedish Death Metal]. Second edition. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points 2009, p. 249, accessed on 8 October 2012. Merciless, Mefisto,{{cite book|last=Ekeroth|first=Daniel|title=Swedish Death Metal|year=2008|publisher=Bazillion Points|isbn=978-0-9796163-1-0 |page=67 |quote=Up to this point, no Swedish band had really followed in Bathory's footsteps. The pioneers Obscurity and Mefisto faded after just a couple of demos. The first to break the ice were the soon-to-be classic Merciless, from the small and idyllic town of Strängnäs, sixty-five miles west of Stockholm.
Merciless was formed in 1986 by the very young metalheads Fredrik Karlén on bass, Stefan "Stipen" Karlsson on drums, and Erik Wallin on guitar. Fredrik had previously been in a punk band, while Stipen and Erik used to play heavy metal... Unlike Obscurity and Mefisto, Merciless also started to play live gigs very early in their career-probably one of the primary reasons why Merciless eventually succeeded where Obscurity and Mefisto had failed.}} TiamatDaniel Ekeroth: [https://books.google.com/books?id=jRRvfWp95FIC&pg=PA162 Swedish Death Metal]. Second edition. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points 2009, p. 162f., accessed on 24 September 2012. and Morbid.{{cite web |title=LG PETROV, ENTOMBED VOCALIST, DEAD AT 49 |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/lg-petrov-entombed-vocalist-dead-49/ |website=Revolver |access-date=20 November 2024}} Sarcófago's debut album I.N.R.I. (1987), was widely influential on subsequent acts in the genre, especially the second wave Norwegian scene and groups in the war metal style.Robert Müller: Wollt Ihr den ewigen Krieg?. Der tote Winkel. In: Metal Hammer, November 2011.Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann: SARCOFAGO. I.N.R.I. In: Rock Hard, Nr. 304, September 2012, p. 73. BrooklynVegan writer Kim Kelly calling it "a gigantic influence on black metal's sound, aesthetics, and attitude."{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Kim |title=A rare interview with Sarcofago |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/an-rare-intervi/ |access-date=21 November 2024}} Furthermore, during this time other influential records in the genre were released by Von (from the United States),{{cite web |last1=Currin |first1=Grayson Haver |title=Satanic Blood Von |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17435-satanic-blood/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=20 November 2024}} Rotting Christ (from Greece),{{cite web |last1=Podoshen |first1=Jeff |title=Album Review: ROTTING CHRIST Pro Xristou |url=https://metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-rotting-christ-pro-xristou |access-date=20 November 2024}} Tormentor (from Hungary), Mortuary Drape (from Italy),{{cite web|first1=Götz |last1=Kühnemund |url=http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen.html?tx_rxsearch_pi1%5Breview%5D=12403 |title=Mortuary Drape Tolling 13 Knell (DLP)]. |access-date=14 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125950/http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen.html?tx_rxsearch_pi1%5Breview%5D=12403 |archive-date=2015-09-24}} Kat (from Poland), Samael (from Switzerland)sG: 5 Klassiker. In: Rock Hard, no. 269, October 2009, p. 79. and Blasphemy (from Canada). Blasphemy's debut album Fallen Angel of Doom (1990) is considered one of the most influential records for the war metal style. Fenriz of the Norwegian band Darkthrone called Master's Hammer's debut album Ritual "the first Norwegian black metal album, even though they are from Czechoslovakia".Fenriz: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20091126051753/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=123087153&blogId=519327311 Darkthrone Biography and Video Clips]}}. 21 November 2009, accessed on 24 September 2012. It was only during this post–1987 era of bands that the various extreme metal styles began to develop definitions distinct from one another, and the borders of what now consistues black metal were drawn.

The second wave of black metal began in 1991, with Rock Hard magazine crediting Samael's Worship Him (1 April 1991) as its beginnings, while, Metal Hammer writer Enrico Ahlig cited it as beginning with the 8 April 1991 suicide of Mayhem vocalist Dead.Enrico Ahlig: [http://www.metal-hammer.de/news/meldungen/article299447/marduk-gitarrist-besitzt-leichenteile-von-dead.html Marduk-Gitarrist besitzt Leichenteile von Dead], 5 June 2012, accessed on 9 January 2013.

{{Main|Early Norwegian black metal scene}}

File:Immortal Getaway Rock Festival.jpg

During {{nowrap|1990–1993}}, a number of Norwegian artists began performing and releasing a new kind of black metal music; this included Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum, Immortal, Emperor, Satyricon, Enslaved, Thorns, and Gorgoroth. They developed the style of their 1980s forebears into a distinct genre. This was partly thanks to a new kind of guitar playing developed by Snorre 'Blackthorn' Ruch and Øystein 'Euronymous' Aarseth. Fenriz of Darkthrone described it as being "derived from Bathory"{{cite video |year=2009 |title=Until the Light Takes Us |medium=motion picture |publisher=Variance Films}} and noted that "those kinds of riffs became the new order for a lot of bands in the '90s".Kory Grow: [http://www.revolvermag.com/uncategorized/web-exclusive-interview-darkthrones-fenriz-part-2-his-thoughts-on-transilva.html WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: DARKTHRONE'S FENRIZ, PART 2! HIS THOUGHTS ON 'TRANSILVANIAN HUNGER' AND HIP].

The wearing of corpse paint became standard, and was a way for many black metal artists to distinguish themselves from other metal bands of the era. The scene also had an ideology and ethos. Artists were bitterly opposed to Christianity and presented themselves as misanthropic Devil worshippers who wanted to spread terror, hatred and evil.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=27, 33, 41}} They professed to be serious in their views and vowed to act on them. Ihsahn of Emperor said that they sought to "create fear among people"{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=222}} and "be in opposition to society".{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=218f}} The scene was exclusive and created boundaries around itself, incorporating only those who were "true" and attempting to expel all "poseurs".{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=30, 42}} Some members of the scene were responsible for a spate of church burnings and murder, which eventually drew attention to it and led to a number of artists being imprisoned.

On 8 April 1991, Mayhem vocalist Per "Dead" Ohlin committed suicide while left alone in a house shared by the band.{{cite video |year=2007 |title=Once Upon a Time in Norway |medium=motion picture |publisher=Another World Entertainment}}{{cite video |year=2008 |title=Pure Fucking Mayhem |medium=motion picture |publisher=Index Verlag}} Fellow musicians described Dead as odd, introverted and depressed. Mayhem's drummer, Hellhammer, said that Dead was the first to wear the distinctive corpse paint that became widespread in the scene.{{cite web |url=http://www.thetruemayhem.com/interviews/previous/hh-june1998.htm |title=Interview with Hellhammer conducted by Dmitry Basik June 1998 |last=Basik |first=Dmitri |date=June 1998 |work=thetruemayhem.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823184104/http://www.thetruemayhem.com/interviews/previous/hh-june1998.htm |archive-date=23 August 2007 |access-date=7 September 2012}} He was found with slit wrists and a shotgun wound to the head. Dead's suicide note began with "Excuse all the blood", and apologized for firing the weapon indoors.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=62}} Before calling the police, Euronymous got a disposable camera and photographed the body,{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=49}} after re-arranging some items. One of these photographs was later used as the cover of a bootleg live album, Dawn of the Black Hearts.

Euronymous made necklaces with bits of Dead's skull and gave some to musicians he deemed worthy. Rumors also spread that he had made a stew with bits of his brain. Euronymous used Dead's suicide to foster Mayhem's evil image and claimed Dead had killed himself because extreme metal had become trendy and commercialized.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=59-60}} Mayhem bassist Jørn 'Necrobutcher' Stubberud noted that "people became more aware of the black metal scene after Dead had shot himself ... I think it was Dead's suicide that really changed the scene".{{cite journal |last=Bromley |first=Adrian "The Energizer" |title=Mayhem: To Hell and Back |journal=Unrestrained |issue=15 |url=http://www.thetruemayhem.com/interviews/previous/necro-unrestrained15.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823101847/http://www.thetruemayhem.com/interviews/previous/necro-unrestrained15.htm |archive-date=23 August 2007 |access-date=7 September 2012}}

Two other members of the early Norwegian scene later committed suicide: Erik 'Grim' Brødreskift (of Immortal, Borknagar, Gorgoroth) in 1999{{cite web |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/norway/bergen/immortal |title=MusicMight :: Artists :: Immortal |work=rockdetector.com |access-date=7 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910065741/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/norway/bergen/immortal |archive-date=10 September 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.immortal.nu/band/members.html |title=w w w . i m m o r t a l . n u |work=immortal.nu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010820145828/http://www.immortal.nu/band/members.html |archive-date=20 August 2001 |access-date=7 September 2012}} and Espen 'Storm' Andersen (of Strid) in 2001.Ravn: Strid. In: Slayer, No. 20, Blood Fire Death, 2010, p. 78.

File:Helvete Oslo - black metal graffiti.jpg

During May–June 1991,{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=66}} Euronymous of Mayhem opened an independent record shop named "Helvete" (Norwegian for "Hell") at Schweigaards gate 56 in Oslo. It quickly became the focal point of Norway's emerging black metal scene and a meeting place for many of its musicians; especially the members of Mayhem, Burzum, Emperor and Thorns. Jon 'Metalion' Kristiansen, writer of the fanzine Slayer, said that the opening of Helvete was "the creation of the whole Norwegian black metal scene".{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=39}} In its basement, Euronymous founded an independent record label named Deathlike Silence Productions. With the rising popularity of his band and others like it, the underground success of Euronymous's label is often credited for encouraging other record labels, who had previously shunned black metal acts, to then reconsider and release their material.

File:Bergen, Fantoft2.jpg, restored in 1997.{{cite news |author= |title=Norwegian Church Draws Black Metal Fans |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/norwegian-church-draws-black-metal-fans/ |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=5 August 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730084004/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/norwegian-church-draws-black-metal-fans/ |archive-date=30 July 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=13 October 2020}}]]

In 1992, members of the Norwegian black metal scene began a wave of arson attacks on Christian churches. By 1996, there had been at least 50 such attacks in Norway. Some of the buildings were hundreds of years old and seen as important historical landmarks. The first to be burnt down was Norway's Fantoft Stave Church. Police believe Varg Vikernes of Burzum was responsible. The cover of Burzum's EP Aske ("ashes") is a photograph of the destroyed church. In May 1994, Vikernes was found guilty for burning down the Holmenkollen Chapel, Skjold Church, and Åsane Church.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=93}} In addition, he was found guilty for an attempted arson of a fourth church, and for the theft and storage of 150 kg of explosives.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=141}} To coincide with the release of Mayhem's De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, Vikernes and Euronymous had also allegedly plotted to bomb the Nidaros Cathedral, which appears on the album cover. The musicians Faust,{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=94f}} Samoth,{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=141}} (both of Emperor), and Jørn Inge Tunsberg (of Hades Almighty){{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=141}} were also convicted for church arsons. Members of the Swedish black metal scene started to burn churches as well in 1993.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=269f}}

Those convicted for church burnings showed no remorse and described their actions as a symbolic "retaliation" against Christianity in Norway.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=89}} Mayhem drummer Hellhammer said he had called for attacks on mosques and Hindu temples, on the basis that they were more foreign.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=105}} Today, opinions on the church burnings differ within the black metal community. Many musicians, singers, and songwriters in the early Norwegian black metal scene, such as Infernus and Gaahl of Gorgoroth, continue to praise the church burnings, with the latter saying "there should have been more of them, and there will be more of them". Others, such as Necrobutcher and Kjetil Manheim of Mayhem and Abbath of Immortal, see the church burnings as having been futile. Manheim claimed that many arsons were "just people trying to gain acceptance" within the black metal scene. Watain vocalist Erik Danielsson respected the attacks, but said of those responsible: "the only Christianity they defeated was the last piece of Christianity within themselves. Which is a very good beginning, of course".Black Metal Satanica, 2008.

In early 1993, animosity arose between Euronymous and Vikernes.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=117}} On the night of 10 August 1993, Varg Vikernes (of Burzum) and Snorre 'Blackthorn' Ruch (of Thorns) drove from Bergen to Euronymous's apartment in Oslo. When they arrived a confrontation began and Vikernes stabbed Euronymous to death. His body was found outside the apartment with 23 cut wounds—two to the head, five to the neck, and sixteen to the back.Steinke, Darcey. "Satan's Cheerleaders". SPIN. February 1996.

It has been speculated that the murder was the result of either a power struggle, a financial dispute over Burzum records or an attempt at outdoing a stabbing in Lillehammer the year before by Faust.{{cite web|last=Huey |first=Steve |url=http://music.yahoo.com/ar-257375-bio |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105103704/http://music.yahoo.com/ar-257375-bio |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 January 2013 |title=Mayhem Mayhem Biography on Yahoo! Music |work=yahoo.com |date=10 August 1993 |access-date=24 March 2010 }} Vikernes denies all of these, claiming that he attacked Euronymous in self-defense. He says that Euronymous had plotted to stun him with an electroshock weapon, tie him up and torture him to death while videotaping the event. He said Euronymous planned to use a meeting about an unsigned contract to ambush him.Vikernes, Varg: [http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_burzum_story02.shtml A Burzum Story: Part II – Euronymous]. Burzum.org. Vikernes claims he intended to hand Euronymous the signed contract that night and "tell him to fuck off", but that Euronymous panicked and attacked him first. He also claims that most of the cuts were from broken glass Euronymous had fallen on during the struggle. The self-defense story is doubted by Faust,{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=123}} while Necrobutcher confirmed that Vikernes killed Euronymous in self-defense due to the death threats he received from him.{{cite news |last=Campion |first=Chris |date=20 February 2005 |title=In the face of death |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/feb/20/popandrock4 |work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=30 December 2018 |quote='Øystein was always sending death threats to people,' says Necro Butcher. 'It was his reaction to everything. But he didn't put so much into it. And then when he met you, he was like, "OK. You're cool!". Then you were best friends. So when eventually he got to be unfriendly with Varg, he threatened him like he did everyone else. Øystein told him, "I'm going to send some people to torture you. Until you die." But Varg Vikernes saw this as a real threat. He probably thought, "better him than me. I'll just go down and do him".'}}

Vikernes was arrested on 19 August 1993, in Bergen.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=120}} Many other members of the scene were taken in for questioning around the same time. Some of them confessed to their crimes and implicated others. In May 1994, Vikernes was sentenced to 21 years in prison (Norway's maximum penalty) for the murder of Euronymous, the arson of four churches, and for possession of 150 kg of explosives. However, he only confessed to the latter. Two churches were burnt the day he was sentenced, "presumably as a statement of symbolic support".{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=141}} Vikernes smiled when his verdict was read and the picture was widely reprinted in the news media. Blackthorn was sentenced to eight years in prison for being an accomplice to the murder.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=141}} That month saw the release of Mayhem's album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, which featured Euronymous on guitar and Vikernes on bass guitar. Euronymous's family had asked Mayhem's drummer, Hellhammer, to remove the bass tracks recorded by Vikernes, but Hellhammer said: "I thought it was appropriate that the murderer and victim were on the same record. I put word out that I was re-recording the bass parts. But I never did". In 2003, Vikernes failed to return to Tønsberg prison after being given a short leave. He was re-arrested shortly after while driving a stolen car with various weapons.{{cite news |last=Berglund |first=Nina |date=27 October 2003 |title=Police Nab 'The Count' After He Fled Jail |newspaper=Aftenposten |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article655724.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308164838/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article655724.ece |archive-date=8 March 2007 |access-date=5 September 2012}} Vikernes was released on parole in 2009.{{cite news |title=Varg Vikernes ute på prøve |url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=557287 |newspaper=Verdens Gang |location=Oslo, Norway |agency=NTB |date=10 March 2009 |access-date=5 September 2012 |language=no|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312054544/http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=557287 |url-status=live |archive-date=12 March 2009}}{{cite web |title=Ute av fengsel |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/05/22/nyheter/black_metal/varg_vikernes/6354526/ |work=dagbladet.no |date=22 May 2009 |access-date=23 May 2009 |language=no}}

File:Enthroned 201107 Paris 07.jpg from Belgium]]

Japanese band Sigh formed in 1990 and was in regular contact with key members of the Norwegian scene. Their debut album, Scorn Defeat, became "a cult classic in the black metal world".{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080117111501/http://www.sighjapan.com/bio.htm Biography]}}, accessed on 23 June 2013.

In 1990 and 1991, Northern European metal acts began to release music influenced by these bands or the older ones from the first wave. In Sweden, this included Dissection,{{cite book |last=Patterson |first=Dayal |author-link=Dayal Patterson |title=Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult |publisher=Feral House |year=2013 |pages=342 |isbn=9781936239764 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-kIxCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA342 |access-date=25 February 2020}} Abruptum,{{cite book |last=Ekeroth |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Ekeroth |title=Swedish Death Metal |publisher=Bazillion Points Books |year=2009 |pages=255 |isbn=9780979616310 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jRRvfWp95FIC&pg=PA255 |access-date=25 February 2020}} Marduk,{{cite book |last=Ekeroth |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Ekeroth |title=Swedish Death Metal |publisher=Bazillion Points Books |year=2009 |pages=225 |isbn=9780979616310 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jRRvfWp95FIC&pg=PA225 |access-date=25 February 2020}}{{cite book |last=Ekeroth |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Ekeroth |title=Swedish Death Metal |publisher=Bazillion Points Books |year=2009 |pages=253 |isbn=9780979616310 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jRRvfWp95FIC&pg=PA253 |access-date=25 February 2020}} and Nifelheim. In Finland, there emerged a scene that mixed the first-wave black metal style with elements of death metal and grindcore; this included Beherit, Archgoat and Impaled Nazarene, whose debut album Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz Rock Hard journalist Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann considers a part of war metal's roots.Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann: Impaled Nazarene. Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz. In: Rock Hard, no. 307, December 2012, p. 77. Bands such as Demoncy and Profanatica emerged during this time in the United States, when death metal was more popular among extreme metal fans. The Norwegian band Mayhem's concert in Leipzig with Eminenz and Manos in 1990, later released as Live in Leipzig, was said to have had a strong influence on the East German sceneWolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann: Die Könige vom Westwall. Die legendären Protagonisten von damals im exklusiven Interview. In: Rock Hard, no. 269, October 2009, p. 92. and is even called the unofficial beginning of German black metal.Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann: Deutschland, deine Schwarzmetall-Bands. In: Rock Hard, no. 269, October 2009, p. 89.

Black metal scenes also emerged on the European mainland during the early 1990s, inspired by the Norwegian scene or the older bands, or both. In Poland, a scene was spearheaded by Graveland and Behemoth. In France, a close-knit group of musicians known as Les Légions Noires emerged; this included artists such as Mütiilation, Vlad Tepes, Belketre and Torgeist. In Belgium, there were acts such as Ancient Rites and Enthroned. Bands such as Black Funeral, Grand Belial's Key and Judas Iscariot emerged during this time in the United States. Black Funeral, from Houston, formed in 1993, was associated with black magic and Satanism.[http://paganbelial.awardspace.com/?p=841 Black Funeral. Embrace The Sounds Of Grim Medieval Vampiric Black Metal...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426022252/http://paganbelial.awardspace.com/?p=841 |date=26 April 2012 }}. In: Kill Yourself!!! Magazine, no. 3, 1995, p. 36, accessed on 21 November 2012.

File:Cradle of Filth 2005.jpg in 2005]]

A notable black metal group in England was Cradle of Filth, who released three demos in a black/death metal style with symphonic flourishes, followed by the album The Principle of Evil Made Flesh, which featured a then-unusual hybrid style of black and gothic metal. The band then abandoned black metal for gothic metal,{{cite book |last1=Baddeley |first1=Gavin |last2=Filth |first2=Dani |author-link2=Dani Filth |title=The Gospel of Filth |date=March 2010 |pages=48–50 |publisher=FAB Press}} becoming one of the most successful extreme metal bands to date. John Serba of AllMusic commented that their first album "made waves in the early black metal scene, putting Cradle of Filth on the tips of metalheads' tongues, whether in praise of the band's brazen attempts to break the black metal mold or in derision for its 'commercialization' of an underground phenomenon that was proud of its grimy heritage".{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-principle-of-evil-made-flesh-mw0000025519 |title=The Principle of Evil Made Flesh – Cradle of Filth |last=Serba |first=John |work=AllMusic |access-date=27 August 2012}} Some black metal fans did not consider Cradle of Filth to be black metal. When asked if he considers Cradle of Filth a black metal band, vocalist Dani Filth said he considers them black metal in terms of philosophy and atmosphere, but not in other ways.{{sfn|Partridge|Christianson|2014|p=42}} Another English band called Necropolis never released any music, but "began a desecratory assault against churches and cemeteries in their area" and "almost caused Black Metal to be banned in Britain as a result".{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=316-318}} Dayal Patterson says successful acts like Cradle of Filth "provoked an even greater extremity [of negative opinion] from the underground" scene due to concerns about "selling out".Patterson, Dayal. Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult. Feral House, 2013. First page of Ch. 29.

The controversy surrounding the Thuringian band Absurd drew attention to the German black metal scene. In 1993, the members murdered a boy from their school, Sandro Beyer.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=272}} A photo of Beyer's gravestone is on the cover of one of their demos,Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke: Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity. NYU Press, 2003. p. 206. Thuringian Pagan Madness, along with pro-Nazi statements. It was recorded in prison and released in Poland by Graveland drummer Capricornus.Absurd: Thuringian Pagan Madness, Capricornus Prod. 1995. The band's early music was more influenced by Oi! and Rock Against Communism (RAC) than by black metal,{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|1998|p=250f}} and described as being "more akin to '60s garage punk than some of the […] Black Metal of their contemporaries".{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=295}} Alexander von Meilenwald from German band Nagelfar considers Ungod's 1993 debut Circle of the Seven Infernal Pacts, Desaster's 1994 demo Lost in the Ages, Tha-Norr's 1995 album Wolfenzeitalter, Lunar Aurora's 1996 debut Weltengänger and Katharsis's 2000 debut 666Alexander von Meilenwald: 5 Klassiker. In: Rock Hard, no. 269, October 2009, p. 82. to be the most important recordings for the German scene. He said they were "not necessarily the best German releases, but they all kicked off something".

File:DimmuBorgirTuska2005.jpg}}]]

In the beginning of the second wave, the different scenes developed their own styles; as Alan 'Nemtheanga' Averill says, "you had the Greek sound and the Finnish sound, and the Norwegian sound, and there was German bands and Swiss bands and that kind of thing." By the mid-1990s, the style of the Norwegian scene was being adopted by bands worldwide, and in 1998, Kerrang! journalist Malcolm Dome said that "black metal as we know it in 1998 owes more to Norway and to Scandinavia than any other particular country".{{cite video |title=Satan Rides the Media |year=1998}} Newer black metal bands also began raising their production quality and introducing additional instruments such as synthesizers and even full-symphony orchestras. By the late 1990s, the underground concluded that several of the Norwegian pioneers—like Emperor,Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann: War Black Metal: Die Extremsten der Extremen. Was bleibt, ist Schutt und Asche. In: Rock Hard, no. 279, pp. 71–73.Tornado: Up Against the Wall Motherfucker!!!!. A Worst Case Scenario Written by Tornado!. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, pp. 406f. Immortal, Dimmu Borgir, Ancient, Covenant/The Kovenant, and Satyricon—had commercialized or sold out to the mainstream and "big bastard labels." Dayal Patterson states that successful acts like Dimmu Borgir "provoked and even greater extremity [of negative opinion] from the underground" regarding the view that these bands had "sold out."

After Euronymous's death, "some bands went more towards the Viking metal and epic style, while some bands went deeper into the abyss." Since 1993, the Swedish scene had carried out church burnings, grave desecration, and other violent acts. In 1995, Jon Nödtveidt of Dissection joined the Misanthropic Luciferian Order (MLO).Andrea Biagi: {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20031005065926/http://www.dissection.nu/biography.htm Biography Part One. "The First Era"]}}, accessed on 25 October 2012. In 1997, he and another MLO member were arrested and charged with shooting dead a 37-year-old man. It was said he was killed "out of anger" because he had "harassed" the two men. Nödtveidt received a 10-year sentence.Andrea Biagi: {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20040216045715/http://www.dissection.nu/killing.htm THE KILLING]}}, accessed on 25 October 2012. As the victim was a homosexual immigrant, Dissection was accused of being a Nazi band,Dissection. Fear the Return!. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, p. 568-570. but Nödtveidt denied this and dismissed racism and nationalism.{{cite web |url=http://www.metalcentre.com/webzine.php?p=interviews&lang=eng&nr=123 |title=Metal Centre Webzine: News, Gallery, Reviews, Interviews, etc. – 09/03/2012 |date=June 2003 |work=metalcentre.com |access-date=4 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714075021/http://www.metalcentre.com/webzine.php?p=interviews&lang=eng&nr=123 |archive-date=14 July 2011}}

The Swedish band Shining, founded in 1996, began writing music almost exclusively about depression and suicide, musically inspired by Strid and by Burzum's albums Hvis lyset tar oss and Filosofem.Sabine Langner: [http://www.legacy.de/index.php/stories/archiv/item/3639-shining Shining. Verzweiflung, mein Erbe] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728161436/http://www.legacy.de/index.php/stories/archiv/item/3639-shining |date=28 July 2014 }}. In: Legacy, no. 73, accessed on 27 September 2012. Vocalist Niklas Kvarforth wanted to "force-feed" his listeners "with self-destructive and suicidal imagery and lyrics." In the beginning, he used the term "suicidal black metal" for his music.[http://www.metal1.info/interviews/interview.php?interview_id=269 Shining (25.04.07)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101001942/http://www.metal1.info/interviews/interview.php?interview_id=269 |date=1 November 2012 }}. However, he stopped using the term in 2001 because it had begun to be used by a slew of other bands, whom he felt had misinterpreted his vision and were using the music as a kind of therapy rather than a weapon against the listener as Kvarforth intended. He said that he "wouldn't call Shining a black metal band" and called the "suicidal black metal" term a "foolish idea."

File:Watain3.jpg singer Erik Danielsson in torn clothes and covered with blood]]

According to Erik Danielsson, when his band Watain formed in 1998, there were very few bands who took black metal as seriously as the early Norwegian scene had. A newer generation of Swedish Satanic bands like Watain and Ondskapt, inspired by Ofermod,Nathan T. Birk: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071017013530/http://www.ofermod.org/interviews/ofermod_terrorizer.htm OFERMOD]}}.Stahlschrulle: [http://www.metal.de/index.php?option=com_articles&view=article&id=11035 Ofermod – Tiamtü]. the new band of Nefandus member Belfagor, put this scene "into a new light." Kvarforth said, "It seems like people actually [got] afraid again." "The current Swedish black metal scene has a particularly ambitious and articulate understanding of mysticism and its validity to black metal. Many Swedish black metal bands, most notably Watain and Dissection, are [or were] affiliated with the Temple of the Black Light, or Misanthropic Luciferian Order […] a Theistic, Gnostic, Satanic organization based in Sweden".{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=126}} Upon his release in 2004, Jon Nödtveidt restarted Dissection with new members whom he felt were able to "stand behind and live up to the demands of Dissection's Satanic concept."{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20040127040134/http://www.dissection.nu/faustleaves.htm FAUST LEAVES DISSECTION BECAUSE OF THE SATANIC CONCEPT]}}, accessed on 25 October 2012. He started calling Dissection "the sonic propaganda unit of the MLO"Dissection: Live Legacy, Nuclear Blast 2003.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20071020061147/http://www.dissection.nu/interviews/Interview2.htm INTERVIEW FOR THE FANS BY THE FANS. - Final Interview with Jon Nödtveidt -]}}, accessed on 25 October 2012. and released a third full-length album, Reinkaos. The lyrics contain magical formulae from the Liber Azerate and are based on the organization's teachings.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20080208150021/http://www.dissection.nu/disc/reinkaos.htm REINKAΩS]}}, accessed on 25 October 2012. After the album's release and a few concerts, Nödtveidt said that he had "reached the limitations of music as a tool for expressing what I want to express, for myself and the handful of others that I care about" and disbanded Dissection before dying by suicide.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20071014002828/http://www.dissection.nu/temp/temp1.html Official Statement about Jon's Death]}}, 2006, accessed on 25 October 2012.

A part of the underground scene adopted a Jungian interpretation of the church burnings and other acts of the early scene as the re-emergence of ancient archetypes, which Kadmon of Allerseelen and the authors of Lords of Chaos had implied in their writings.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=176f}}Hendrik Möbus: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071214012732/http://www.thepaganfront.com/pf.php?show=articles&article=1 National Socialist Black Metal]}}, accessed on 2 January 2013. They mixed this interpretation with Paganism and Nationalism. Varg Vikernes was seen as "an ideological messiah" by some,J. Bennett: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080208184453/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/may2006/nsbm.aspx NSBM Special Report]}}. although Vikernes had disassociated himself from black metal{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=102}} and his neo-Nazism had nothing to do with that subculture.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=102}} This led to the rise of National Socialist black metal (NSBM), which Hendrik Möbus of Absurd calls "the logical conclusion" of the Norwegian black metal "movement". Other parts of the scene oppose NSBM as it is "indelibly linked with Asá Trŭ and opposed to Satanism", or look upon Nazism "with vague skepticism and indifference".{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=99}} Members of the NSBM scene, among others, see the Norwegian bands as poseurs whose "ideology is cheap", although they still respect Vikernes and Burzum, whom Grand Belial's Key vocalist Richard Mills called "the only Norwegian band that remains unapologetic and literally convicted of his beliefs."

In France, besides Les Légions Noires (The Black Legions), an NSBM scene arose. Members of French band Funeral desecrated a grave in Toulon in June 1996, and a 19-year-old black metal fan stabbed a priest to death in Mulhouse on Christmas Eve 1996.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=312-315}} According to MkM of Antaeus and Aosoth, the early French scene "was quite easy to divide: either you were NSBM, and you had the support from zine and the audience, or you were part of the black legions, and you had that 'cult' aura", whereas his band Antaeus, not belonging to either of these sub-scenes, "did not fit anywhere."Ankit: [http://infernal-dominion.blogspot.de/2011/08/interview-with-mkm-from-antaeus-and.html Interview with MKM from Antaeus and Aosoth (French Black Metal)], 23 August 2011, accessed on 31 December 2012. Many French bands, like Deathspell Omega and Aosoth, have an avantgarde approachJan Jaedike: Merrimack. Appetite for Destruction. In: Rock Hard, no. 302, July 2012, p. 62. and a disharmonic sound that is representative of that scene.Tobias Gerber, Sebastian Kessler: [http://www.metal-hammer.de/magazin/features/article87166/video-special-zum-deutschen-black-metal.html Video-Special zum deutschen Black Metal], 11 April 2011, accessed on 31 December 2012.

The early American black metal bands remained underground. Some of them—like Grand Belial's Key and Judas Iscariot—joined an international NSBM organization called the Pagan Front, although Judas Iscariot's sole member Akhenaten left the organization.Gunnar Sauermann: Special: Black Metal in den USA. Schwarzes Amerika. In: Metal Hammer, August 2007, pp. 88f. Other bands like Averse Sefira never had any link with Nazism. The US bands have no common style. Many were musically inspired by Burzum but did not necessarily adopt Vikernes's ideas. Profanatica's music is close to death metal,Gunnar Sauermann: Verfeindete Brüder. Tod gegen Schwarz – Death oder Black Metal?. In: Metal Hammer, August 2007, p. 90. while Demoncy were accused of ripping off Gorgoroth riffs.Gunnar Sauermann: Special: Black Metal in den USA. Schwarzes Amerika. In: Metal Hammer, August 2007, p. 91. There also emerged bands like Xasthur and Leviathan (whose music is inspired by Burzum and whose lyrics focus on topics such as depression and suicide),Janne: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090120083058/http://www.metal-only.com/index/Interviews/see/leviathan.htm I don't consider myself a poet, by any means]}}.Roberto Martinelli: [http://www.maelstrom.nu/ezine/interview_iss11_130.php Interview with XASTHUR] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906003338/http://www.maelstrom.nu/ezine/interview_iss11_130.php |date=6 September 2007 }}. In: Maelstrom, no. 11. Nachtmystium, Krallice,Heiko Behr: [http://www.zeit.de/kultur/musik/2011-12/blackmetal/komplettansicht Black Metal: Da kreischt die Avantgarde]. In: Die Zeit, 9 December 2011. Wolves in the Throne Room (a band linked to the crust punk scene and the environmental movement),{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=114}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2007/11/deep_ecometal.html|title=Deep Eco-Metal|last=Davis|first=Erik|date=13 November 2007|newspaper=Slate|issn=1091-2339|access-date=21 December 2016}} and Liturgy (the style of whom frontwoman Hunter Hunt-Hendrix describes as 'transcendental black metal').Jon Caramanica: [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/arts/music/liturgy-at-the-knitting-factory-review.html If You Celebrate Nihilism, Is It Somethingism?]. In: The New York Times, 5 June 2011. These bands eschew black metal's traditional lyrical content for "something more Whitman-esque" and have been rejected by some traditional black-metallers for their ideologiesWatain. Black Metal Militia. In: Slayer, no. 20, Blood Fire Death, 2010, p. 9. and the post-rock and shoegazing influences some of them have adopted. Also, some bands like Agalloch started to incorporate "doom and folk elements into the traditional blast-beat and tremolo-picking of the Scandinavian incarnation", a style that later became known as Cascadian black metal, in reference to the region where it emerged.{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/agalloch-reluctant_kings|title=Agalloch Reluctant Kings|website=exclaim.ca}}

In Australia, a scene led by bands like Deströyer 666, Vomitor, Hobbs' Angel of Death, Nocturnal Graves and Gospel of the Horns arose. This scene's typical style is a mixture of old school black metal and raw thrash metal influenced by old Celtic Frost, Bathory, Venom, and Sodom but also with its own elements.Götz Kühnemund: Gospel of the Horns. Schluss mit dem schöngeistigen Quatsch!. In: Rock Hard, no. 306, November 2012, p. 43.

Melechesh was formed in Jerusalem in 1993, "the first overtly anti-Christian band to exist in one of the holiest cities in the world".{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Melechesh |url=http://www.musicmight.com/artist/israel/jerusalem/melechesh |publisher=MusicMight |access-date=23 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927051047/http://www.musicmight.com/artist/israel/jerusalem/melechesh |archive-date=27 September 2012}} Melechesh began as a straightforward black metal act with their first foray into folk metal occurring on their 1996 EP The Siege of Lachish.{{cite magazine |author=McKay, Aaron |title=Interview with Moloch of Melechesh |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/chats/1-608_melechesh.aspx |magazine=Chronicles of Chaos |access-date=23 June 2013}} Their subsequent albums straddled black, death, and thrash metal.{{cite web |author=Serba, John |title=Djinn Review |website=AllMusic |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=djinn-mw0000010739|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=23 June 2013}} Another band, Arallu, was formed in the late 1990s and has relationships with Melechesh and Salem.{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Arallu |url=http://www.musicmight.com/artist/israel/ma/arallu |publisher=MusicMight |access-date=23 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928222256/http://www.musicmight.com/artist/israel/ma/arallu |archive-date=28 September 2012}}{{cite web |author=Puhl, Carl |title=Interview with Butchered and Yonatan of Arallu |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=1356&lang=en |publisher=Lords of Metal |access-date=23 June 2013}} Melechesh and Arallu perform a style they call "Mesopotamian Black Metal", a blend of black metal and Mesopotamian folk music.

Since the 2000s, a number of anti-Islamic and anti-religious black metal bands—whose members come from Muslim backgrounds—have emerged in the Middle East. Janaza, believed to be Iraq's first female black metal artist, released the demo Burning Quran Ceremony in 2010. Its frontwoman, Anahita, claimed her parents and brother were killed by a suicide bomb during the Iraq War. Another Iraqi band, Seeds of Iblis, also fronted by Anahita,Kelly, Kim. [https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/07/when-black-metals-anti-religious-message-gets-turned-on-islam/259680/ "When Black Metal's Anti-Religious Message Gets Turned on Islam"]. The Atlantic, 11 July 2012. released their debut EP Jihad Against Islam in 2011 through French label Legion of Death. Metal news website Metalluminati suggests that their claims of being based in Iraq are a hoax.{{Cite web|url=http://metalluminati.com/anti-islamic-black-metal-band-from-iraq-a-hoax/|title=Anti-Islamic female black metal band from Iraq a hoax?|website=The Metalluminati|date=14 July 2012|access-date=4 August 2017|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528194535/https://metalluminati.com/anti-islamic-black-metal-band-from-iraq-a-hoax/|url-status=dead}} These bands, along with Tadnees (from Saudi Arabia), Halla (from Iran), False Allah (from Bahrain), and Mosque of Satan (from Lebanon), style themselves as the "Arabic Anti-Islamic Legion". Another Lebanese band, Ayat, drew much attention with their debut album Six Years of Dormant Hatred, released through North American label Moribund Records in 2008. Some European bands have also begun expressing anti-Islamic views, most notably the Norwegian band Taake.{{cite web |url=http://www.thelocal.no/20120105/anti-islam-lyrics-no-barrier-to-norway-music-prize- |title=Anti-Islam lyrics no barrier to Norway music prize |website=The Local |date=6 January 2012 |access-date=1 July 2016}}

Regarding the sound of black metal, there are two conflicting groups within the genre: "those that stay true to the genre's roots, and those that introduce progressive elements". The former believe that the music should always be minimalist—performed only with the standard guitar-bass-drums setup and recorded in a low fidelity style. One supporter of this train of thought is Blake Judd of Nachtmystium, who has rejected labeling his band black metal for its departure from the genre's typical sound.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=208961 |title=Daily Herald | Nachtmystium shines black light on black metal |last=Pizek |first=Jeff |date=20 June 2008 |work=dailyherald.com |access-date=4 September 2012}} Snorre Ruch of Thorns, on the other hand, has said that modern black metal is "too narrow" and believes that this was "not the idea at the beginning".{{cite web |url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/thorns.htm |title=Thorns |work=voicesfromthedarkside.de |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801091047/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/thorns.htm |archive-date=1 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}

Since the 1990s, different styles of black metal have emerged and some have melded Norwegian-style black metal with other genres:

{{dynamic list}}

Ambient black metal, also known as atmospheric black metal,{{cite book |last1=Bernard |first1=Olivier |title=ANTHOLOGIE DE L'AMBIENT D'Éric Satie à Moby: nappes, aéroports et paysages sonores |trans-title=ANTHOLOGY OF AMBIENT From Éric Satie to Moby: tablecloths, airports and soundscapes |date=November 21, 2013 |publisher=Camion Blanc |language=fr |isbn=978-2-35779-415-3 |quote=Dans ce chapitre, j'évoquerai plus précisément l'ambient black metal, qualifié aussi l'atmospheric black metal |trans-quote=In this chapter, I will discuss more precisely ambient black metal, also called atmospheric black metal}} is a style of black metal that relies on heavy incorporation of atmospheric, sometimes dreamy textures, and is therefore less aggressive. It often features synthesizers or classical instrumentation, typically for melody or ethereal "shimmering" over the wall of sound provided by the guitars. The music is usually slow to mid paced with rare blast beat usage, without any abrupt changes and generally features slowly developing, sometimes repetitive melodies and riffs, which separate it from other black metal styles. Subject matter usually concerns nature, folklore, mythology, and personal introspection.{{Cite web|url = http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/beautiful-brutality/Content?oid=1109755|title = Beautiful Brutality|date = 22 May 2008|access-date = 14 March 2015|website = Chicago Reader|publisher = Wrapports|last = Raymer|first = Miles}} Artists include Summoning,{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/summoning-mn0000580811/biography | title=Summoning | website=AllMusic | access-date=18 September 2023 | author=Monger, James C.}} Agalloch{{Cite web|url = http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/agalloch-reluctant_kings|title = Agalloch Reluctant Kings|date = 23 May 2014|access-date = 18 June 2015|website = Exclaim!|last = Walschots|first = Natalie}} and Wolves in the Throne Room.

Black-doom, also known as blackened doom, is a style that combines the slowness and thicker, bassier sound of doom metal with the shrieking vocals and heavily distorted guitar sound of black metal.{{cite web |author=Newshound, Terrorizer |title=ITALIAN BLACKENED DOOMSTERS FORGOTTEN TOMB PLAN RELEASE |url=http://truecultheavymetal.com/blog1.php/2010/09/23/italian-blackened-doomsters-forbidden-tomb-plan-release |publisher=Terrorizer Online |access-date=29 January 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718185027/http://www.terrorizer.com/blog1.php/2010/09/23/italian-blackened-doomsters-forbidden-tomb-plan-release |archive-date=18 July 2012 |url-status=usurped}} Black-doom bands maintain the Satanic ideology associated with black metal, while melding it with moodier themes more related to doom metal, like depression, nihilism and nature. They also use the slower pace of doom metal in order to emphasize the harsh atmosphere present in black metal.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.rollingstone.de/das-archiv/article237260/print/emotionen-in-zeitlupe.html|title=Emotionen in Zeitlupe |author1=Zahn, Thorsten |author2=Schurer, Petra |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=1 June 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112141913/http://www.rollingstone.de/das-archiv/article237260/print/emotionen-in-zeitlupe.html|archive-date=12 November 2014|access-date=18 August 2018|language=de}} Examples of black-doom bands include Barathrum,{{cite web |url=http://tiira.cedunet.com/~ilwakka/barathrum/reviews.html |title=REVIEWS |access-date=10 November 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990128010428/http://tiira.cedunet.com/~ilwakka/barathrum/reviews.html |archive-date=28 January 1999 }} Forgotten Tomb, Woods of Ypres,{{cite web |author=Newshound, Terrorizer |title=WOODS OF YPRES RELEASE DISCUSS THE GREEN ALBUM |url=http://truecultheavymetal.com/blog1.php/2011/03/21/woods-of-ypres-release-discuss-the-green-album |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718130254/http://truecultheavymetal.com/blog1.php/2011/03/21/woods-of-ypres-release-discuss-the-green-album |url-status=usurped |archive-date=18 July 2012 |publisher=Terrorizer Online |access-date=29 January 2009}} Deinonychus,{{cite news |title=DEINONYCHUS: 'You Will Get A Pure Black/Doom Metal Album' |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/deinonychus-you-will-get-a-pure-black-doom-metal-album/ |work=Blabbermouth |access-date=8 January 2018}} Shining,{{cite book|last=Patterson|first=Dayal|title=Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult|year=2013|publisher=Feral House|isbn=978-1936239757|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-kIxCgAAQBAJ|access-date=1 August 2018}} Nortt,{{cite web |title=Nortt – Endeligt Review|last=Obstkrieg|first=Dan|date=12 January 2018|url=https://yourlastrites.com/2018/01/12/nortt-endeligt-review/ |publisher=Last Rites|access-date=1 August 2018}} Bethlehem,{{cite web |title=BETHLEHEM REPLACE LIFELOVER ON BILL FOR KINGS OF BLACK METAL FESTIVAL|url=http://bravewords.com/news/bethlehem-replace-lifelover-on-bill-for-kings-of-black-metal-festival|publisher=Brave Words|access-date=1 August 2018}} early Katatonia,{{cite web |title=Katatonia: 'Brave Murder Day' |url=http://www.decibelmagazine.com/hall-of-fame/katatonia/ |work=Decibel Magazine |access-date=27 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709015700/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/hall-of-fame/katatonia/ |archive-date=9 July 2012 }} Tiamat, Dolorian, and October Tide.

Pioneered by black-doom bands like Ophthalamia, Katatonia, Bethlehem, Forgotten Tomb and Shining, depressive suicidal black metal, also known as suicidal black metal, depressive black metal or DSBM, is a style that melds the second wave-style of black metal with doom metal,{{cite thesis |last=Yavuz |first=Mehmet Selim |date=September 2015 |title=Dead is dead: Perspectives on the Meaning of Death in Depressive Suicidal Black Metal Music through Musical Representations |publisher=Royal Holloway, University of London |type=MMus |url=https://hcommons.org/deposits/objects/hc:12942/datastreams/CONTENT/content |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719155426/https://hcommons.org/deposits/objects/hc:12942/datastreams/CONTENT/content |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2021 |doi=10.17613/M67D4Z |access-date=18 August 2018 }} with lyrics revolving around themes such as depression, self-harm, misanthropy, suicide and death. DSBM bands draw on the lo-fi recording and highly distorted guitars of black metal, while employing the usage of acoustic instruments and non-distorted electric guitar timbres present in doom metal, interchanging the slower, doom-like, sections with faster tremolo picking. Vocals are usually high-pitched like in black metal, but lacking energy, simulating feelings like hopelessness, desperation, and entreaty. The presence of one-man bands is more prominent in this genre compared to others. Examples of bands include Xasthur,{{cite web|last1=Luedtke|first1=Christopher|title=Essential Black Metal Listening: XASTHUR Nocturnal Poisoning|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/black-metal-chronicles/black-metal-listening/essential-black-metal-listening-xasthur-nocturnal-poisoning|website=Metal Injection|access-date=12 June 2017|date=2 February 2016}} Leviathan, Strid, Silencer, Make a Change... Kill Yourself, Lifelover{{Cite web|last=Chillingworth|first=Alec|date=30 September 2015|title=Lifelover: One Last Laceration|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/lifelover-one-last-laceration|access-date=2021-09-14|website=loudersound|language=en}} and I Shalt Become.

{{hatnote|"Black'n'Roll", "Black 'N' Roll" and similar spelling variants redirect here. For the album by Black River, see Black'n'Roll (album).}}

Black 'n' roll is a style of black metal that incorporates elements from 1970s hard rock and rock and roll music. Examples of black 'n' roll bands include Carpathian Forest,{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2016 |title=Essential Black Metal Listening: CARPATHIAN FOREST Black Shining Leather |url=https://metalinjection.net/black-metal-chronicles/black-metal-listening/carpathian-forest-black-shining-leather |access-date=December 27, 2024 |website=Metal Injection |language=en |quote=Carpathian essentially founded black 'n' roll with the magic of Black Shining Leather}} Kvelertak,{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kvelertak-mn0002526582/biography | title=Kvelertak | website=AllMusic | access-date=22 December 2015 | author=Buchanan, John D.}} Vreid,{{cite news | url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/vreid-the-reap-video-released/ | title=Vreid: 'The Reap' Video Released | work=Blabbermouth.net | date=12 February 2013 | access-date=22 December 2015}} and Khold.{{cite web | url=http://www.terrorizer.com/news/festivals/incubate-preview-khold/ | title=Incubate Preview: Khold | work=Terrorizer | date=17 September 2013 | access-date=22 December 2015 | author=Whelan, Kez}}{{cite web | url=http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/419-hell-awaits-disemballerina-khold-heavydeath-and-more/ | title=Hell Awaits: Disemballerina, Khold, Heavydeath and more | website=Pitchfork | date=14 August 2014 | access-date=22 December 2015 | author=Kelly, Kim}} Bands such as Satyricon,{{cite magazine | url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/69539-satyricon-the-age-of-nero/ | title=Satyricon – The Age of Nero | magazine=Popmatters | date=2 February 2009 | access-date=22 December 2015 | author=Begrand, Adrien}}{{cite magazine | url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/satyricon-satyricon | title=Satyricon – Satyricon | magazine=Exclaim! | date=16 September 2013 | access-date=22 December 2015 | author=Walschots, Natalie Zina}} Nachtmystium,{{cite web | url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11584-assassins-black-meddle-pt-1/ | title=Nachtmystium – Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 | website=Pitchfork | date=9 July 2009 | access-date=22 December 2015 | author=Stosuy, Brandon}} Nidingr,{{cite web | url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17453-greatest-of-deceivers/ | title=Nidingr – Greatest of Deceivers | website=Pitchfork | date=5 December 2012 | access-date=3 September 2015 | author=Raymer, Miles}} Craft, and Sarke also experimented with the genre.{{cite web | url=http://www.stereogum.com/1604281/the-black-market-the-month-in-metal-december-2013/franchises/the-black-market/ | title=The Black Market: The Month In Metal – December 2013 | website=Stereogum | date=30 December 2013 | access-date=22 December 2015 | author=Nelson, Michael}}

Crust punk groups, such as Antisect, Sacrilege and Anti System took some influence from early black metal bands like Venom, Hellhammer, and Celtic Frost,{{cite web|last=Von Havoc |first=Felix |title=Rise of Crust |publisher=Profane Existence |date=1 January 1984 |url=http://www.havocrex.com/press/article/3/83 |access-date=16 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615163312/http://www.havocrex.com/press/article/3/83 |archive-date=15 June 2008 }} while Amebix's lead vocalist and guitarist sent his band's early demo tape to Cronos of Venom, who replied by saying "We'll rip you off."{{cite web |last1=Dunlap |first1=Xander |title=Directionless people are malleable—easily pointed in the wrong directions |url=http://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/music-interviews/amebix/ |website=Thrasher |access-date=19 July 2018}} Similarly, Bathory was initially inspired by crust punk as well as heavy metal.Ekeroth, p. 27. Crust punk was affected by a second wave of black metal in the 1990s, with some bands emphasizing these black metal elements. Iskra are probably the most obvious example of second-wave black metal-influenced crust punk;[http://iskra.ws/interviews.html Iskra Interviews] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615141533/http://iskra.ws/interviews.html |date=15 June 2006 }}. Iskra coined their own phrase "blackened crust" to describe their new style. The Japanese group Gallhammer also fused crust punk with black metal"Hard of Hearing", Terrorizer no. 171, June 2008, p. 56. while the English band Fukpig has been said to have elements of crust punk, black metal, and grindcore.{{cite web|url=http://www.supersonicfestival.com/2010/line-up/events/fukpig|title=Fukpig|publisher=Terrorizer}}"C: Do you think that FUKPIG has founded a style of his own? Misery: Nah its just d-beat crust, with added horror C: and then What difference to FUKPIG from the rest of the bands? Misery: We add more black metal / horror influences, but are still inspired by the same things C: Is Necro-Punk your style? Misery: Yeah, necro in the black metal style playing crust punk, so yeah Necro Punk." [http://www.clandestinemetalzine.cl/interviews/interview_fukpig.html Interview: Fukpig] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010121/http://www.clandestinemetalzine.cl/interviews/interview_fukpig.html |date=10 November 2013 }} North Carolina's Young and in the Way have been playing blackened crust since their formation in 2009.{{cite web |last1=Zorgdrager |first1=Bradley |title=Young and in the Way When Life Comes to Death |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/young_in_way-when_life_comes_to_death |website=Exclaim! |access-date=19 July 2018}} In addition, Norwegian band Darkthrone have incorporated crust punk traits in their more recent material. As Daniel Ekeroth wrote in 2008,

{{Blockquote|In a very ironic paradox, black metal and crust punk have recently started to embrace one another. Members of Darkthrone and Satyricon have lately claimed that they love punk, while among crusties, black metal is the latest fashion. In fact, the latest album by crust punk band Skitsystem sounds very black metal—while the latest black metal opus by Darkthrone sounds very punk! This would have been unimaginable in the early 90s.Ekeroth, p. 258.}}

Many "red and anarchist black metal" (RABM) artists are influenced by crust punk or have a background in that scene.

Blackened death-doom is a genre that combines the slow tempos and monolithic drumming of doom metal, the complex and loud riffage of death metal and the shrieking vocals of black metal.{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Kim |author-link=Kim Kelly (journalist) |title=Morast Expertly Synthesize Black, Death, and Doom Metal on 'Ancestral Void' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/morast-expertly-synthesize-black-death-and-doom-metal-on-ancestral-void/ |website=Noisey Vice |date=March 29, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2018}} Examples of blackened death-doom bands include Morast, Faustcoven, The Ruins of Beverast, Bölzer, Necros Christos, Harvest Gulgaltha,{{cite web |last1=Mattia |first1=A. |title=DON'T LOOK BELOW: HARVEST GULGALTHA – 'ALTARS OF DEVOTION' REVIEW + STREAM |url=https://www.cvltnation.com/dont-look-below-harvest-gulgaltha-altars-of-devotion-review-stream/ |website=Cvlt Nation |date=7 February 2017 |access-date=18 August 2018}} Dragged into Sunlight,{{cite web |last1=Falzon |first1=Denise |title=Dragged Into Sunlight 'Widowmaker' (album stream) |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/dragged_into_sunlight-widowmaker_album_stream |website=Exclaim! |date=31 October 2012 |access-date=18 August 2018}} Hands of Thieves,{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Doug |title=The Black Market: The Month In Metal – August 2016 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1896781/the-black-market-the-month-in-metal-august-2016/franchises/the-black-market/ |website=Stereogum |date=31 August 2016 |access-date=18 August 2018}} and Soulburn.{{cite web |last1=Daniels |first1=Eric |title=ERIC DANIELS / SOULBURN |url=https://www.jacksonguitars.com/artists/eric-daniels-bio |website=Jackson Guitars |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-date=18 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618114517/https://www.jacksonguitars.com/artists/eric-daniels-bio |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last1=Whelan |first1=Kez |title=Soulburn: Band Of The Day |url=http://www.terrorizer.com/news/botd/soulburn-band-day/ |website=Terrorizer |date=11 June 2014 |access-date=18 August 2018}} Kim Kelly, journalist from Vice, has called Faustcoven as "one of the finest bands to ever successfully meld black, death, and doom metal into a cohesive, legible whole."

{{Main|Blackened death metal}}

Blackened death metal is commonly death metal that incorporates musical, lyrical or ideological elements of black metal, such as an increased use of tremolo picking, anti-Christian or Satanic lyrical themes and chord progressions similar to those used in black metal.{{cite book |last1=Unger |first1=Matthew |title=Sound, Symbol, Sociality: The Aesthetic Experience of Extreme Metal Music |page=27}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/ninewinged-serpent-mw0000780983 |title=Ninewinged Serpent – Devian |last=Henderson |first=Alex |work=AllMusic |access-date=3 September 2012}} Blackened death metal bands are also more likely to wear corpse paint and suits of armour, than bands from other styles of death metal.{{cite book |last1=Gardner |first1=Robert Owen |title=Studies in Symbolic Interaction |page=119}} Lower range guitar tunings, death growls and abrupt tempo changes are common in the genre.{{cite journal |last1=Dunn |first1=Sam |last2=Deaville |first2=Jason |title=Blackened Death Metal |date=2016 |author1-link=Sam Dunn }} Examples of blackened death metal bands are Belphegor,{{cite web |url=http://www.terrorizer.com/blog1.php/2011/10/21/belphegor-suspend-all-activities |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714222121/http://www.terrorizer.com/blog1.php/2011/10/21/belphegor-suspend-all-activities |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2012 |title=Belphegor Suspends All Activities |date=21 October 2011 |work=terrorizer.com |access-date=3 September 2012 }} Behemoth,{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/behemoth-mn0000789429 |title=Behemoth |last=Prato |first=Greg |work=AllMusic |access-date=3 September 2012}} Akercocke,{{cite web|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/akercocke/words-that-go-unspoken-deeds-that-go-undone.htm |title=Akercocke – Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone – Review – Stylus Magazine |last=Lee |first=Cosmo |date=21 February 2006 |work=Stylus Magazine |access-date=22 October 2012 |quote=Death metal and black metal are notoriously insular, but Akercocke has distinguished itself by freely drawing from both. Death metal tends to emphasize the low end, while black metal mainly resides in the midrange and treble, so Akercocke's 'blackened death' hybrid is rich and full-bodied. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509181014/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/akercocke/words-that-go-unspoken-deeds-that-go-undone.htm |archive-date=9 May 2012}} and Sacramentum.Pretorious, Neil (30 July 2009). "Review – Sacramentum – Far Away from the Sun"]. The Metal Observer. "If you think that Blackened Death Metal begins and ends with DISSECTION, then think again. SACRAMENTUM seriously dropped the (snow) ball with 'The Coming of Chaos' and 'Thy Black Destiny', but on 'Far Away from the Sun' they really delivered the goods on all fronts."

Melodic black-death (also known as blackened melodic death metal or melodic blackened death metal) is a genre of extreme metal that describes the style created when melodic death metal bands began being inspired by black metal and European romanticism. However, unlike most other black metal, this take on the genre incorporated an increased sense of melody and narrative.{{cite web |last1=ANDREW |first1=J |title=Blackened Melodic Death Metal: A History Lesson |url=http://www.metalinjection.net/lists/blackened-melodic-death-metal-a-history-lesson |website=Metal Injection |access-date=25 July 2018|date=19 February 2015 }} Some bands who have played this style include Dissection,{{cite book |last1=Ekeroth |first1=Daniel |title=Swedish Death Metal |page=267}} Sacramentum, Naglfar, God Dethroned,{{cite web |last1=Divita |first1=Joe |title=GOD DETHRONED RETURN WITH 'THE WORLD ABLAZE,' UNLEASH DEATHLY MELODIC NEW SINGLE 'ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE WIRE' |url=http://loudwire.com/god-dethroned-the-world-ablaze-new-single-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-wire/ |website=Loudwire |date=5 April 2017 |access-date=25 July 2018}} Dawn, Unanimated, Thulcandra, Skeletonwitch{{cite web |last1=WIEDERHORN |first1=JON |title=SKELETONWITCH: HOW AN ANTON LAVEY–LOVING EX–CHOIR MEMBER PUSHED THRASHERS TO NEW LEVEL |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/skeletonwitch-how-anton-lavey%E2%80%93loving-ex%E2%80%93choir-member-pushed-thrashers-new-level |website=Revolver |access-date=25 July 2018|date=18 June 2018 }} and Cardinal Sin.{{cite magazine |last1=D |first1=Chris |title=Top 5 Dissection Clones |url=http://decibelmagazine.com/featured/36966/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325001026/http://decibelmagazine.com/featured/36966/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 March 2016 |magazine=Decibel |access-date=25 July 2018}}

War metal (also known as war black metal or bestial black metal) is an aggressive, cacophonous, and chaotic subgenre of blackened death metal,{{cite news |last1=KATEL |first1=JACOB |title=Florida's Top Ten Black Metal Bands |newspaper=Miami New Times |date=2013}} described by Rock Hard journalist Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann as "rabid" and "hammering".{{clarify|reason=what does "rabid" and "hammering" mean in terms of music? Just because someone wrote something does not mean it makes sense nor included on WP|date=May 2025}} Important influences include early black and death metal bands, such as Sodom, Possessed, Autopsy, Sarcófago, and the first two Sepultura releases, as well as seminal grindcore acts like Repulsion. War metal bands include Blasphemy, Archgoat, Impiety, and Bestial Warlust.{{cite web |last1=DISTEFANOl |first1=ALEX |title=The 13 Most Satanic Metal Bands |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/13-most-satanic-metal-bands-8798306 |website=LA Weekly |access-date=8 August 2018}}

Blackened grindcore is a fusion genre that combines elements of black metal and grindcore.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2015/09/16/converse-rubber-tracks-x-metalsucks-2015-preview-dendritic-arbor/|title=Converse Rubber Tracks x MetalSucks 2015 Preview: Dendritic Arbor|date=16 September 2015|publisher=Metal Sucks}}{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2015/10/19/blackened-grindcore-innovators-dendritic-arbor-announce-fall-tour/|title=Blackened Grindcore Innovators Dendritic Arbor Announce Fall Tour|date=19 October 2015|publisher=Metal Sucks}} Notable bands include Anaal Nathrakh and early Rotting Christ.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/170331-rotting-christ-kata-ton-daimona-eaytoy-2495764089.html|title=Rotting Christ: Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy|date=15 May 2013|magazine=Pop Matters}}

Blackened thrash metal, also known as black-thrash,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/12/06/top-black-thrash-albums/|title=Top Ten Black-Thrash Albums by Steve Jansson (Daeva)|date=6 December 2017|magazine=Decibel Magazine}} is a fusion genre that combines elements of black metal and thrash metal.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/best-metal-albums-subgenres/#photogallery-1=5|title=The Best Metal Album From 40 Subgenres|website=Loudwire|date=21 November 2022 }} Being considered one of the first fusions of extreme metal, it was inspired by bands such as Venom, Sodom, and Sarcófago.{{Cite web |url=https://www.daily.bandcamp.com/2017/06/29/black-thrash-bands/amp/ |title=Nine Metal Bands Leading the Blackened Thrash Attack |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830110218/https://daily.bandcamp.com/2017/06/29/black-thrash-bands/amp/ |archive-date=30 August 2018 |url-status=dead }} Notable bands include Aura Noir,{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-blackened-thrash-crew-aura-noir-channel-sepultura-thundering-new-song|title=Hear Blackened-Thrash Crew Aura Noir Channel Sepultura on Thundering New Song|date=5 April 2018}} Witchery,{{cite web |title=WITCHERY Releases Video For 'Of Blackened Wing' |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/witchery-releases-video-for-of-blackened-wing/ |website=Blabbermouth |date=6 October 2017 |access-date=27 July 2018}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tFDPx8IDKsoC&q=blackened+thrash+metal&pg=PA84|title=The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists|first=Joel|last=McIver|date=15 December 2008|publisher=Jawbone Press|isbn=9781906002206|via=Google Books}} Black Fast,{{cite web |last1=Fixell |first1=Ethan |title=THE UNDERGROUND SOUNDS OF AMERICA: BLACK FAST |url=http://www.kerrang.com/features/the-underground-sounds-of-america-black-fast/ |website=Kerrang! |date=24 July 2018 |access-date=24 July 2018}} Sathanas,{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalinjection.net/av/song-premiere/30-year-blackened-thrash-veterans-sathanas-bring-a-sharp-swagger-on-sacramentum/amp|title = 30-Year Blackened Thrash Veterans SATHANAS Bring a Sharp Swagger on "Sacramentum"| date=9 July 2018 }} and Deströyer 666.

{{Main|Pagan metal|Viking metal}}

Folk black metal, pagan metal and Viking metal are styles that incorporates elements of folk music, with pagan metal bands focusing on pagan lyrics and imagery,{{cite journal |last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |title=Stairway to Heathen |journal=Revolver |date=April 2009 |pages=60–64 |url=http://www.revolvermag-digital.com/revolver/200904/?pg=61 |access-date=11 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512155520/http://www.revolvermag-digital.com/revolver/200904/?pg=61 |archive-date=12 May 2009 }} and Viking metal bands giving thematic focus on Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age, more influenced by Nordic folk music.{{cite web |last=Jonsson |first=Johannes |date=13 November 2011 |url=http://www.metalforjesus.org/albumv.htm#Vardoger |title=Vardoger – Whitefrozen |website=Metal For Jesus! |publisher=Johannes Jonsson |access-date=5 August 2015}} While not focused on Satanism, the bands' use of ancient folklore and mythologies still express anti-Christian views, with folk black metal doing it as part of a "rebellion to the status quo", that developed concurrently along with the rise of folk metal in Europe in the 1990s,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uSHkDAAAQBAJ&q=folk+black+metal&pg=PA34|title=Sound, Symbol, Sociality: The Aesthetic Experience of Extreme Metal Music|first=Matthew|last=Unger|date=22 August 2016|publisher=Springer|isbn=9781137478351|via=Google Books}} Notable artist include Negură Bunget, Windir,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-kIxCgAAQBAJ&q=folk+black+metal+bands+windir&pg=PA408|title=Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult|first=Dayal|last=Patterson|date=25 November 2013|publisher=Feral House|isbn=9781936239764|via=Google Books}} Primordial,{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/irish-metal-legends-primordials-new-album-is-a-raw-edged-epic/|title=Irish Metal Legends Primordial's New Album Is a Raw-Edged Epic – Noisey|website=noisey.vice.com|date=29 March 2018|access-date=6 October 2018|archive-date=6 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006194628/https://noisey.vice.com/amp/en_ca/article/d353bv/irish-metal-legends-primordials-new-album-is-a-raw-edged-epic|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/primordial-mn0000854587 |title=Primordial |last=Monger |first=James Christopher |work=AllMusic |access-date=3 September 2012}} In the Woods..., Cruachan,{{cite web |url=http://www.rock-impressions.com/cruachan_inter1e.htm |title=Rock Impressions – Interviews – Cruachan |last=Bolther |first=Giancarlo |work=rock-impressions.com |access-date=3 September 2012}} and Bathory, to whose albums Blood Fire Death (1988) and Hammerheart (1990) the origin of Viking metal can be traced.{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bathory-mn0000151787 |title=Bathory |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |work=AllMusic |access-date=3 September 2012}}

Industrial black metal is a style of black metal that incorporates elements of industrial music. Mysticum, formed in 1991,Marty Rytkonen, Mysticum interview, Worm Gear No. 8, [http://www.fmp666.com/moonlight/mysticum2.html] Access date: 11 January 2009. was the first of these groups.Roel F., Interview with Treachery, Lords of Metal issue 87, December 2008. [http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=2438&lang=en] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009095959/http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=2438&lang=en|date=9 October 2012}} Access date: 3 December 2008. DHG (Dødheimsgard), Thorns from Norway and Blut Aus Nord, N.K.V.D. and Blacklodge from France, have been acclaimed for their incorporation of industrial elements.Chris Dick, "Blut Aus Nord", Decibel, December 2006. {{cite web|url=http://www.decibelmagazine.com/upfront/dec2006/blutausnord.aspx |title=Blut Aus Nord |access-date=9 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205141318/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/upfront/dec2006/blutausnord.aspx |archive-date=5 February 2007 }} Access date: 22 July 2008. Other industrial black metal musicians include Samael,{{cite web | last=Bellino | first=Emily | title=Track Premiere: Samael -'Black Supremacy' | website=Decibel Magazine | date=September 15, 2017 | url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/09/15/track-premiere-samael-black-supremacy/ | access-date=April 1, 2024}}{{AllMusic | id= samael-mn0000292795 | title= Samael}} The Axis of Perdition,{{cite web|url=http://www.metalreview.com/Reviews/1561/The-Axis-Of-Perdition-Deleted-Scenes-From-The-Transition-Hospital.aspx |title=Review of The Axis Of Perdition |date=28 March 2005 |access-date=25 January 2010 |website=www.metalreview.com |last=Mooring |first=Matt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227105037/http://www.metalreview.com/Reviews/1561/The-Axis-Of-Perdition-Deleted-Scenes-From-The-Transition-Hospital.aspx |archive-date=27 February 2012 }} Access date: 4 January 2009. Aborym,Gothtronic. [http://www.gothtronic.com/?page=23&band=777] Access date: 4 January 2009. and ...And Oceans.Globaldomination, 26 September 2007. {{cite web|url=http://www.globaldomination.se/reviews/and-oceans-amgod |title=Global Domination {{!}} Reviews {{!}} ...And Oceans: A.M.G.O.D. |access-date=25 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111013457/http://www.globaldomination.se/reviews/and-oceans-amgod |archive-date=11 November 2009 }} Access date: 4 January 2009. In addition, The Kovenant,Antti J. Ravelin, Nexus Polaris review, AllMusic. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r343514|pure_url=yes}}] Access date: 11 January 2009. Mortiis and Ulver emerged from the Norwegian black metal scene, but later chose to experiment with industrial music.Stefanos Zachariadis, Blood Inside review, Metal Invader, 3 May 2005. {{cite web|url=http://www.metal-invader.com/db/reviews-1914.html |title=Metal Invader (Ulver – Blood Inside [featured album]) Review. |access-date=18 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927230459/http://www.metal-invader.com/db/reviews-1914.html |archive-date=27 September 2007}} Access date: 9 January 2009.Mark Hensch, Some Kind of Heroin review, Thrashpit. [http://www.rocknworld.com/thrashpit/reviews/07/Mortiis-SomeKindofHeroinMH.shtml] Access date: 9 January 2009.

Post-black metal is an umbrella term for genres that experiment beyond black metal's conventions and broaden their sounds, evolving past the genre's limits.{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-essential-post-black-metal-albums|title=The 10 essential post-black metal albums|date=14 May 2019}} Notable bands include Myrkur,{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/myrkur-on-criticism-from-black-metal-scene-i-respect-passion-even-if-its-against-me/|title=MYRKUR On Criticism From Black Metal Scene: 'I Respect Passion, Even If It's Against Me'|date=19 August 2018}} Alcest,{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/black-metal-chronicles/black-metal-history-month/my-mom-likes-deafheaven-and-the-future-of-black-metal|title=My Mom Likes Deafheaven and the Future of Black Metal|date=25 February 2016}} Bosse-de-Nage,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9772-the-best-metal-albums-of-2015/|title=The Best Metal Albums of 2015 – Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|date=21 December 2015 }} and Wildernessking.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/wildernessking-interview-album/|title=South African Post-Black Metal Enigmas Wildernessking Peer Into the 'Mystical Future'|date=20 January 2016|publisher=Noisey Vice}}

{{Main|Blackgaze}}

Blackgaze incorporates common black metal and post-black metal elements such as blast beat drumming and high-pitched screamed vocals with the melodic and heavily distorted guitar styles typically associated with shoegazing.{{cite news|title = French rockers Alcest bring blackgaze genre to Hong Kong|url = https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/arts-music/article/2082754/french-rockers-alcest-bring-blackgaze-genre-hong|last = Peters|first = Mark|newspaper = South China Morning Post|date = 30 March 2017|access-date = 6 October 2017}}{{Cite web|title = The Translator Blackgaze|url = http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/translator-blackgaze|last = Walschots|first = Natalie Zina|date = 26 February 2014|access-date = 15 April 2016}} It is associated with bands such as Deafheaven,{{Cite web|title = Blackgaze: meet the bands taking black metal out of the shadows|url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/05/blackgaze-bands-fusing-metal-and-shoegaze|website = The Guardian|access-date = 5 October 2015|first = Tom|last = Howells|date = 5 October 2015}} Alcest,{{cite web | url = http://www.stereogum.com/1617782/deconstructing-alcests-shelter-and-metal-in-a-post-deafheaven-world/franchises/deconstructing/ | title = Deconstructing: Alcest's Shelter And Metal In A Post-Deafheaven World | date = 3 January 2014 | access-date = 5 October 2015 | last = Nelson | first = Michael | website = Stereogum}} Vaura, Amesoeurs,{{cite web|title=Amesoeurs – Amesoeurs review|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13063-amesoeurs/|website=Pitchfork Media|access-date=6 October 2015}} Bosse-de-Nage, Oathbreaker,{{cite web|title=OATHBREAKER Is Streaming Its Blast-Heavy, Shoegazey New Album Rheia|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/av/full-album-stream/oathbreaker-is-streaming-its-blast-heavy-shoegazey-new-album-rheia|website=Metal Injection|access-date=27 August 2016}} and Fen.

Psychedelic black metal is a subgenre of black metal which employs the usage of psychedelic elements.{{cite web|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2016/02/22/oranssi-pazuzu/|title=Oranssi Pazuzu – Decibel Magazine|date=22 February 2016}} Notable acts include Oranssi Pazuzu,{{cite magazine | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/oranssi-pazuzu-lahja-video/ | title=Finnish Black Metal Radicals Oranssi Pazuzu Set the Sky Ablaze In Their New Video For "Lahja" | magazine=Noisey Vice | access-date=22 August 2016 | author=Kelly, Kim}}{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/06/07/readers-choice-the-black-metal-edition/|title=READERS CHOICE: THE PSYCHEDELIC BLACK METAL EDITION – MetalSucks|date=7 June 2010}} Nachtmystium, Deafheaven, Woe, Amesoeurs, and In the Woods....{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/in-the-woods-norway-s-psychedelic-black-masters-branch-out-again|title=In The Woods…: Norway's psychedelic black masters branch out again|date=12 August 2016}}

Raw black metal is a subgenre that seeks to amplify the primitive qualities of the second wave of black metal, by giving priority to its lo-fi production values.{{cite thesis |last=Smialek |first=Eric |date=2015 |title=Genre and Expression in Extreme Metal Music, ca. 1990–2015 |type=PhD |institution=McGill University |url=https://www.academia.edu/24562305 |access-date=May 5, 2021}}{{cite book|title=Medievalism and Metal Music Studies |editor1-last=Hagen |editor1-first=Ross |editor2-last=Barratt-Peacock |editor2-first=Ruth |publisher=Emerald Publishing Limited |date=September 6, 2019 |pages=216 |isbn=9781787563971}} To achieve this, bands under this style usually emphasize the usage of higher-pitches in their guitar sound and vocals, while employing techniques such as tremolo picking and blast beats more often. Its imagery is often associated with dystopic and minimalistic tendencies. The style was pioneered by Ildjarn,{{cite web |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Jon |title=Intense and Uncompromising Raw Black Metal on dai-ichi's Debut |url=https://www.invisibleoranges.com/dai-ichi-album-stream/ |access-date=4 August 2024}} with other notable bands including Gorgoroth and Darkthrone.{{cite book|title=Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult |editor1-last=Patterson |editor1-first=Dayal |publisher=Feral House |year=2013 |pages=203}}

{{Main|Symphonic black metal}}

Symphonic black metal is a style of black metal that incorporates symphonic and orchestral elements. This may include the usage of instruments found in symphony orchestras (piano, violin, cello, flute and keyboards), "clean" or operatic vocals and guitars with less distortion.{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/symphonic-black-metal-ma0000012290 |title=Symphonic Black Metal : Significant Albums, Artists and Songs, Most Viewed : AllMusic |work=AllMusic |access-date=2 September 2012}}

Notable bands include Emperor, Troll, Dimmu Borgir and Bal Sagoth.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100304101547/http://www.onemetal.com/2010/01/25/troll-neo-satanic-supremacy/ Troll – Neo-Satanic Supremacy – REVIEW : OneMetal.com]}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/aspera-hiems-symfonia-mw0000256762?1631471512089|title=Aspera Hiems Symfonia – Arcturus | Album | AllMusic|via=www.allmusic.com}}

File:Taake Hellfest 2009 8 NB.jpg is a common symbol associated with black metal imagery, usually used to signify opposition to Christianity.]]

Unlike other metal genres, black metal is associated with a worldview and ethos. It is fiercely opposed to Christianity and the other main institutional religions, Islam and Judaism. Many black metal bands are Satanists and see Satanism as a key part of black metal. Others advocate ethnic Paganism, "often coupled with nationalism",{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=359}} although the early Pagan bands did not call themselves 'black metal'.

Black metal tends to be misanthropic and hostile to modern society. It is "a reaction against the mundanity, insincerity and emotional emptiness that participants feel is intrinsic to modern secular culture".{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=37}} The black metal scene tends to oppose political correctness, humanitarianism, consumerism, globalization and homogeneity.{{cite book |last=Murphy |first=David |editor=Ullrich Kockel |title=A Companion to the Anthropology of Europe |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |date=2012 |pages=437 |chapter=Chapter 25: Extreme Neo-nationalist Music Scenes at the Heart of Europe}}{{cite journal |last=Manea |first=Irina-Maria |date=16 April 2015 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HzcnCAAAQBAJ |title=Primal Roots: Ancestry and Race in Extreme Music Discourses |journal=Proceedings of IAC-SSaH 2015: International Academic Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities in Prague 2015 |publisher=Czech Institute of Academic Education |pages=186–187, 190 |isbn=9788090579125 }}{{cite book |last=Noys |first=Benjamin |editor=Nicola Masciandaro |title=Hideous Gnosis: Black Metal Theory Symposium |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_GCM2MFeJwfMC |publisher=Glossator |date=2010 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_GCM2MFeJwfMC/page/n116 106]–108 |chapter='Remain True to the Earth!': Remarks on the Politics of Black Metal}} Aaron Weaver from Wolves in the Throne Room said: "I think that black metal is an artistic movement that is critiquing modernity on a fundamental level, saying that the modern world view is missing something".{{cite web |url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/05/an_interview_w_13.html |title=An Interview w/ Wolves in the Throne Room's Aaron Weaver |date=22 May 2009 |work=brooklynvegan.com |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121175804/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/05/an_interview_w_13.html |archive-date=21 January 2016 |url-status=dead }} As part of this, some parts of the scene glorify nature and have a fascination with the distant past.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=2}}{{cite web |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/rants/6-668_black_metal_a_brief_guide.aspx |title=CoC : Rant : Black Metal: A Brief Guide |last=Kalis |first=Quentin |date=31 August 2004 |work=Chronicles of Chaos |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831140019/http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/rants/6-668_black_metal_a_brief_guide.aspx |archive-date=31 August 2011 |url-status=dead}} Black metal has been likened to Romanticism and there is an undercurrent of romantic nationalism in the genre.Van Young, Adrian. [http://thenewinquiry.com/essays/black-metal-is-sublime/ Black Metal is Sublime]. The New Inquiry. 4 March 2014.{{cite book |last=Lesourd |first=Elodie |editor=Amelia Ishmael |title=Helvete: a Journal of Black Metal Theory |publisher=Punctum Books|date=2013 |pages=36 |chapter=Baptism or Death: Black Metal in Contemporary Art}} Sam Dunn noted that "unlike any other heavy metal scene, the culture and the place is incorporated into the music and imagery". Individualism is also an important part of black metal, with Fenriz of Darkthrone describing black metal as "individualism above all".{{cite video |title=Norsk Black Metal |year=2003 |publisher=Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation}} Unlike other kinds of metal, black metal has numerous one-man bands. However, it is argued that followers of Euronymous were anti-individualistic,{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=27f}} and that "Black Metal is characterized by a conflict between radical individualism and group identity and by an attempt to accept both polarities simultaneously".{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=2}}

In his master's thesis, Benjamin Hedge Olson wrote that some artists can be seen as transcendentalists. Dissatisfied with a "world that they feel is devoid of spiritual and cultural significance",{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=129}} they try to leave or "transcend" their "mundane physical forms" and become one with the divine.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=4}} This is done through their concerts, which he describes as "musical rituals" that involve self-mortification and taking on an alternative, "spiritual persona" (for example, by the wearing of costume and face paint).{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=50}}

Generally, black metal strives to remain an underground phenomenon.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=30, 42}}

File:Pentagram4.svg is commonly used by bands in the genre]]

Black metal was originally a term for extreme metal bands with Satanic lyrics and imagery.{{cite book |last=McIver |first=Joel |author-link=Joel McIver |title=Justice for All – The Truth About Metallica |edition=updated |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2009 |isbn=9780857120090 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SvW-uN-qEbIC&q=%22black+metal%22&pg=PT98 |access-date=4 September 2012}}

However, most of the 'first wave' bands (including Venom, who coined the term 'black metal') were not Satanists; rather, they used Satanic themes to provoke controversy or gain attention. One of the few exceptions was Mercyful Fate singer and Church of Satan member King Diamond, whom Michael Moynihan calls "one of the only performers of the '80s Satanic metal who was more than just a poseur using a devilish image for shock value".{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=16}}

File:Gorgoroth by Christian Misje.jpg

In the early 1990s, many Norwegian black-metallers presented themselves as genuine Devil worshippers.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=7f}} Mayhem's Euronymous was the key figure behind this.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=27f}} They attacked the Church of Satan for its "freedom and life-loving" views;Esa Lahdenpera: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120207234358/http://www.fmp666.com/moonlight/mayhem.html Northern Black Metal Legends]}}. In: Kill Yourself, no. 2, August 1993. Retrieved 30 January 2013. the theistic Satanism they espoused was an inversion of Christianity. Benjamin Hedge Olson wrote that they "transform[ed] Venom's quasi-Satanic stage theatrics into a form of cultural expression unique from other forms of metal or Satanism" and "abandoned the mundane identities and ambitions of other forms of metal in favor of religious and ideological fanaticism".{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=27f}} Some prominent scene members—such as Euronymous and Faust—stated that only bands who are Satanists can be called 'black metal'. Bands with a Norwegian style, but without Satanic lyrics, tended to use other names for their music.{{cite journal |last=Halupczok |first=Marc |title=Waldschrate & Met-Trinker |journal=Metal Hammer |date=March 2010 |page=30}}{{cite book |title=Frost |type=CD liner notes |publisher=Osmose Productions |year=1994}}{{cite book |title=Nordic Metal – A Tribute to Euronymous |type=CD liner notes |publisher=Necropolis Records |year=1995}} This view is still held by many artists—such as Infernus,{{cite web |url=http://www.live-metal.net/features_interviews_infernus_gorgoroth.html |title=live-metal.net – Interviews: Gorgoroth – Infernus |last=Maki |first=Jeff |date=18 July 2006 |work=live-metal.net |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-date=12 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212223347/http://www.live-metal.net/features_interviews_infernus_gorgoroth.html |url-status=usurped }} Arioch,Dr. Rape: Funeral Mist. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, New York: Bazillion Points Books 2011. pp. 420f. Nornagest and Erik Danielsson.{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/flesh_ro/watain.htm |title=Interview with Watain |author=Arthur |work=geocities.com/flesh_ro |access-date=4 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019170513/http://geocities.com/flesh_ro/watain.htm |archive-date=19 October 2009 }} Some bands, like the reformed Dissection and Watain,terrybezer: [http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/unpublished-watain-interview-extras/ Unpublished Watain Interview Extras!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817065649/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/unpublished-watain-interview-extras/ |date=17 August 2012 }}, 27 March 2009, accessed on 21 November 2012. insist that all members must be of the same Satanic belief, whereas Michael Ford of Black Funeral and MkM of AntaeusOphth: {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130213163640/http://membres.multimania.fr/chaotik/7/antaeus.html AntaeuS]}}, accessed on 21 November 2012. believe black metal must be Satanic but not all band members need to be Satanists. Others—such as Jan Axel Blomberg,{{cite web |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metallibrary.ru%2Farticles%2Finterviews%2F96.html |title=Article: Interview |date=7 January 2007 |work=metallibrary.ru |publisher=Open Publishing |language=ru |access-date=4 September 2012}} Sigurd Wongraven and Eric Horner{{cite web |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=64209 |title=Throne of Malediction Talks the Art of Black Metal |date=17 January 2011 |work=metalunderground.com |access-date=4 September 2012}}—believe that black metal does not need to be Satanic. An article in Metalion's Slayer fanzine attacked musicians that "care more about their guitars than the actual essence onto which the whole concept was and is based upon", and insisted that "the music itself doesn't come as the first priority".{{cite journal |last=Kristiansen |first=Jon |year=2011 |title=Worship Him! |journal=Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries |location=Brooklyn, New York |publisher=Bazillion Points Books |page=467}} Bands with a similar style but with Pagan lyrics tend to be referred to as 'Pagan Metal' by many 'purist' black-metallers.{{cite book |last=Mulvany |first=Aaron Patrick |date=May 2000 |title='Re-Awakening Pride Once Lost': Indigeneity and European Folk Metal |publisher=Wesleyan University |location=Middletown, Connecticut |page=IV}}

Others shun Satanism, seeing it as Christian or "Judeo-Christian" in origin,Varg Vikernes: [http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_burzum_story03.shtml "A Burzum Story: Part III – The Lie-Propaganda"]. Burzum.org.[http://bathory.nu/08/08_writing_the_deeds_of_darkness_and_evil.htm "Writing the deeds of Darkness and Evil"]. Official Bathory website. Retrieved 29 October 2012. and regard Satanists as perpetuating the "Judeo-Christian" worldview.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Cosmo |date=September 21, 2011 |title=Mayhem vs. Burzum: Opposing views of black metal |url=https://www.invisibleoranges.com/mayhem-vs-burzum-opposing-views-of-black-metal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925024020/http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2011/09/mayhem-vs-burzum-opposing-views-of-black-metal/ |archive-date=September 25, 2011 |access-date=February 8, 2023 |website=Invisible Oranges |language=en}} Quorthon of Bathory said he used 'Satan' to provoke and attack Christianity. However, with his third and fourth albums, Under the Sign of the Black Mark and Blood Fire Death, he began "attacking Christianity from a different angle", realizing that Satanism is a "Christian product". Nevertheless, some artists use Satan as a symbol or metaphor for their beliefs, such as LaVeyan Satanists (who are atheist). Vocalist Gaahl, who considers himself a Norse Shaman,Tatiana Godarska: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080514024208/http://www.imhotep.fi/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2151&Itemid=135&lang=en GORGOROTH'S GAAHL – INFINITE DIMENSIONS]}}, 19 June 2006, accessed on 28 October 2012. said: "We use the word 'Satanist' because it is Christian world and we have to speak their language ... When I use the word 'Satan', it means the natural order, the will of a man, the will to grow, the will to become the superman".{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214650/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/gorgoroth.html Interview with Gaahl of Gorgoroth, 7 October 2004]}}. Tartarean Desire Webzine. Varg Vikernes called himself a Satanist in early interviews but "now downplays his former interest in Satanism", saying he was using Satan as a symbol for Odin as the 'adversary' of the Christian God.{{'}}Det Som Engang Varg{{'}}. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries, p. 292. He saw Satanism as "an introduction to more indigenous heathen beliefs".{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=191}} Some bands such as Carach Angren{{cite web|url=http://www.heavymetaltribune.com/2012/06/interview-with-carach-angren/|title=heavymetaltribune.com|website=www.heavymetaltribune.com|access-date=25 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129041923/http://www.heavymetaltribune.com/2012/06/interview-with-carach-angren/|archive-date=29 January 2016|url-status=dead}} and Enslaved{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/08/arts/music/08ensl.html?_r=0|title=Enslaved – Music|first=Kelefa|last=Sanneh|work=The New York Times|date=8 November 2007}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/director-sam-dunn-picks-the-five-most-important-extreme-metal-bands.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927194349/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/director-sam-dunn-picks-the-five-most-important-extreme-metal-bands.html|url-status=dead|title=Director Sam Dunn Picks the Five Most Important Extreme-Metal Bands – Revolver Magazine (13 August 2013)|archivedate=27 September 2014}} do not have Satanic lyrics.

{{main|Unblack metal}}

File:Lars Stokstad & Thor Georg Buer EoR2011.jpg.]]

'Unblack metal' (or 'Christian black metal') promotes Christianity through its lyrics and imagery.{{cite journal |last=Kapelovitz |first=Dan |date=February 2001 |title=Heavy Metal Jesus Freaks – Headbanging for Christ |journal=Mean Magazine |url=http://www.kapelovitz.com/christianmetal.htm |access-date=6 September 2007 |quote=And where secular black metal thrived, so did its Christian counterpart, unblack metal, with names like Satanicide, Neversatan, and Satan's Doom. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805040049/http://www.kapelovitz.com/christianmetal.htm |archive-date=5 August 2007}} The first unblack metal record, Hellig Usvart (1994) by Australian artist Horde, was a provocative parody of Norwegian black metal. It sparked controversy, and death threats were issued against Horde. Norwegian Christian metal band Crush Evil adopted a black metal style in the late 1990s and were renamed Antestor.

Many black-metallers see "Christian black metal" as an oxymoron and believe black metal cannot be Christian. In fact, the early unblack metal groups Horde and Antestor refused to call their music "black metal" because they did not share its ethos. Horde called its music "holy unblack metal"{{cite web |url=http://unblack.d135-1r43.de/hordeint/hordeinterview.html |title=Horde Interview |access-date=9 December 2007 |author=Erasmus |year=2006 |publisher=Unblack.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023175915/http://unblack.d135-1r43.de/hordeint/hordeinterview.html |archive-date=23 October 2007}} and Antestor called theirs "sorrow metal".{{cite web |author=Morrow, Matt |title=Antestor – The Return of the Black Death |publisher=Open Publishing |year=2001 |work=The Whipping Post |url=http://thewhippingpost.tripod.com/antestorthereturnoftheblackdeath/ |access-date=6 October 2012}} Horde's Jayson Sherlock later said "I will never understand why Christians think they can play Black Metal. I really don't think they understand what true Black Metal is".{{cite web |last=Sherlock|first=Jayson|title=For the life of me,... |url=https://www.facebook.com/jayson.sherlock/posts/10200535943462750 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/1283162632/10200535943462750 |archive-date=2022-02-25 |url-access=limited|publisher=Facebook|access-date=8 February 2013|date=5 February 2013}}{{cbignore}} However, current unblack metal bands such as Crimson Moonlight feel that black metal has changed from an ideological movement to a purely musical genre, and thus call their music 'black metal'.{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/interviews/195667-crimson-moonlight-their-most-brutal.html |title=Crimson Moonlight – At Their Most Brutal – Ultimate Metal Forum |last=Jordan |first=Jason |date=24 May 2005 |work=ultimatemetal.com |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-date=25 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125194719/http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/interviews/195667-crimson-moonlight-their-most-brutal.html |url-status=dead }}

Black metal has a long tradition of environmentalism.{{Cite web|last=Skylar|first=Blake|date=2012-10-12|title=Environ-Metal: Where green is the new black|url=https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/environ-metal-where-green-is-the-new-black/|access-date=2022-02-20|website=People's World|language=en-US}} Groups such as Botanist and Wolves in the Throne Room have been described as exemplifying radical environmentalism.{{Cite journal|last=Lucas|first=Olivia R.|date=October 2019|title='Shrieking soldiers … wiping clean the earth': hearing apocalyptic environmentalism in the music of Botanist|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/popular-music/article/abs/shrieking-soldiers-wiping-clean-the-earth-hearing-apocalyptic-environmentalism-in-the-music-of-botanist/8C9F6AD2044A8F240E24160FCBCF06F0|journal=Popular Music|language=en|volume=38|issue=3|pages=481–497|doi=10.1017/S0261143019000308|s2cid=211654173 |issn=0261-1430}}{{Cite web|last=Davis|first=Erik|date=2007-11-13|title=Heavy metal environmentalists.|url=https://slate.com/culture/2007/11/heavy-metal-environmentalists.html|access-date=2022-02-20|website=Slate |language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Gotrich|first=Lars|date=2011-09-02|title=Botanist: One-Man, Hammered-Dulcimer Black Metal (No, Really) |language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2011/09/02/140122676/botanist-one-man-hammered-dulcimer-black-metal-no-really|access-date=2022-02-20}}

{{further|National Socialist black metal}}

A wide range of political views are found in the black metal scene. Black metal is generally not political music and the vast majority of bands do not express political views.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=349-355}}{{cite journal |last1=Trafford |first1=Simon |last2=Pluskowski |first2=Aleks |editor-last=Marshall |editor-first=David W. |year=2007 |title=Antichrist Superstars: The Vikings in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal |url=https://www.academia.edu/521897 |journal=Mass Market Medieval: Essays on the Middle Ages in Popular Culture |publisher=McFarland & Company |pages=64 |isbn=978-0-7864-2922-6 }}Gardell, Mattias. Gods of the Blood: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism. Duke University Press, 2003. p.307 The genre is seen more as "fantastical escapism". Artists usually see themselves as merely depicting the "macabre nature of the world" as opposed to what they see as the "preachiness" of genres like hardcore punk.{{cite book |author1=Liam Dee |editor1-last=Bayer |editor1-first=Gerd |title=Heavy Metal Music in Britain |date=2016 |publisher=Routledge |page=59 |chapter=The Brutal Truth: Grindcore as the extreme realism of heavy metal}} Ihsahn of Emperor explained: "I see it much more as an atmospheric and emotional thing rather than a political one. Hardcore bands can deal with political things; black metal is something else".{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=354}}

However, some black metal artists promote political ideologies. National Socialist black metal (NSBM) promotes neo-Nazi or far-right politics through its lyrics and imagery. Like Nazi punk, it is "distinguished only by ideology, not musical character".{{Cite book|title=Musical Style, Ideology, and Mythology in Norwegian Black Metal (Book chapter in: Metal Rules the Globe: Heavy Metal Music Around the World)|last=Hagen|first=Ross|publisher=Duke University Press|year=2011|pages=175}} Artists typically meld neo-Nazism with ethnic European paganism; however, a few meld these beliefs with Satanism or occultism. Some commentators see it as a natural development of the "black metal worldview". Members of the early Norwegian scene flirted with Nazi imagery, but this was largely for shock value and to provoke.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=101}} Varg Vikernes—who now refers to his ideology as 'Odalism'{{cite web |url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_burzum_story07.shtml |title=A Burzum Story: Part VII – The Nazi Ghost |last=Vikernes |first=Varg |author-link=Varg Vikernes |date=July 2005 |work=burzum.org |access-date=4 September 2012}}—is credited with popularizing such views within the scene.{{sfn|Moynihan|Søderlind|2003|p=303}}{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=103}} Some bands blend Nazism and Satanism by voicing support for fascist satanist groups like the Order of Nine Angles. Bands that have featured ONA ideology and symbolism in their albums include Hvile I Kaos, Altar of Perversion, Aosoth and Spear of Longinus.{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2018 |title=Orchestral, Occult-Driven Hvile I Kaos Reinvent Black Metal |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/orchestral-occult-driven-hvile-i-kaos-reinvent-black-metal-9417957 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517084958/http://www.laweekly.com/music/orchestral-occult-driven-hvile-i-kaos-reinvent-black-metal-9417957 |archive-date=May 17, 2018 |access-date=May 16, 2018 |publisher=LA Weekly}}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Dylan |title=Black Sky Thinking, Beyond the Iron Gates: How Nazi-Satanists Infiltrated the UK Underground |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/25716-ona-fascism-nazis-folk-horror-underground-occult |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116150543/https://thequietus.com/articles/25716-ona-fascism-nazis-folk-horror-underground-occult |archive-date=16 November 2023 |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=The Quietus|date=27 November 2018 }}"[https://thequietus.com/articles/25716-ona-fascism-nazis-folk-horror-underground-occult Beyond the Iron Gates: How Nazi-Satanists Infiltrated the UK Underground] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116150543/https://thequietus.com/articles/25716-ona-fascism-nazis-folk-horror-underground-occult |date=2023-11-16 }}", The Quietus, November 27, 2018Tonight It’s a World We Bury: Black Metal, Red Politics, (2023) Bill Peel, Watkins Media {{ISBN|1914420365}} As of 2018, Hvile I Kaos had distanced themselves from the ONA.https://thequietus.com/opinion-and-essays/black-sky-thinking/ona-fascism-nazis-folk-horror-underground-occult

NSBM artists are a small minority within the genre.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=123f}} While some black metal fans boycott Neo-Nazi artists, others are indifferent or appreciate the music without supporting the musicians.{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=99}} NSBM has been criticized by some prominent and influential black metal artists—including Jon Nödtveidt, Gorgoroth,Metal Heart 2/00{{cite web |last=Škot |first=Mladen |title=Interview with Jotunspor |url=http://www.maelstrom.nu/ezine/interview_iss50_224.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927131014/http://www.maelstrom.nu/ezine/interview_iss50_224.php |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=4 September 2012 |work=Maelstrom}}{{cite web |date=15 March 2008 |title=Gorgoroth Guitarist Infernus: 'I Personally Am Against Racism in Both Thought and Practice' |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=93004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422024415/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=93004 |archive-date=22 April 2009 |access-date=4 September 2012 |work=Blabbermouth.net}} Dark Funeral,{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp_hTvOVSHQ | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211123/Sp_hTvOVSHQ| archive-date=2021-11-23 | url-status=live|title=YouTube – Dark Funeral- Interview (Episode 276) |work=YouTube |date=5 April 2009 |access-date=4 September 2012}}{{cbignore}} Richard Lederer,{{cite web |url=http://www.summoning.info/Stuff/PoliticalStatements.html |title=Political Statements from Protector (Summoning) |work=summoning.info |access-date=4 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630125512/http://www.summoning.info/Stuff/PoliticalStatements.html |archive-date=30 June 2012}} Michael Ford,{{cite web |url=http://www.fmp666.com/moonlight/blackfun2.html |title=Interview with Michael Ford |work=fmp666.com |access-date=4 September 2012}} and Arkhon Infaustus. Some liken Nazism to Christianity by arguing that both are authoritarian, collectivist, and a "herd mentality". Olson writes that the shunning of Nazism by some black-metallers "has nothing to do with notions of a 'universal humanity' or a rejection of hate" but that Nazism is shunned "because its hatred is too specific and exclusive".{{sfn|Olson|2008|p=123}}

Partly in reaction to NSBM, a small number of artists began promoting left-wing politics such as anarchism or Marxism,{{Cite web |title=De Zwaarste Metalgids: 66 metalgenres in één zin uitgelegd |url=https://stubru.be/dezwaarstelijst/dezwaarstemetalgids66metalgenresineenzinuitgelegd |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=Studio Brussel |language=nl}}{{Cite web|last=Gevorgyan|first=Elen|url=https://baec.aua.am/files/2020/09/Elen-Gevorgyan_Music-Ideology-and-How-They-Interact.-From-Sacred-Music-to-Black-Metal-1.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://baec.aua.am/files/2020/09/Elen-Gevorgyan_Music-Ideology-and-How-They-Interact.-From-Sacred-Music-to-Black-Metal-1.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Music, Ideology and How They Interact: A Journey from Sacred Music to Black Metal|website=American University of Armenia|access-date=20 February 2021}}{{cite conference |url=https://www.academia.edu/38849811 |title=Black Metal Theory Symposium Program |last=Nonjon |first=Adrien |date=2019 |publisher=University of Ljubljana |access-date=20 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/column/161118-if-it-aint-got-no-blastbeat-its-not-my-revolution-panopticon/|title=If It Ain't Got No Blastbeat, It's Not My Revolution: Panopticon|website=PopMatters|date=19 July 2012|access-date=10 May 2016}} creating a movement known as "Red and anarchist black metal" (RABM).{{cite web |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=73109|title=Unearthing The Metal Underground: The Red and Anarchist Black Metal Underground |date=24 October 2011 |publisher=Metal Underground |access-date=2021-09-02}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/storm-of-sedition-decivilize/|title=Canadian Crust Punks Storm of Sedition Go Off the Grid on Their Furious New 'Decivilize' LP|website=Vice Noisey|last=Kelly|first=Kim|date=2016-04-01|access-date=10 May 2016|quote=Storm of Sedition is part of the same Victoria, BC anarchist black metal/crust faction that claims Iskra, Not A Cost, and Black Kronstadt.}}{{Cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17741-skagos-anarchic/|title=Skagos: Anarchic Album Review|work=Pitchfork|last=Kelly|first=Kim|date=2013-04-17|access-date=10 May 2016|quote=The anarchist black metal movement forms a small but fascinating pocket in the extreme metal scene.}} Many artists have a background in anarchist crust punk. Artists labelled RABM include Iskra, Panopticon, Skagos, Storm of Sedition, Not A Cost, and Black Kronstadt. Some others with similar outlook, such as Wolves in the Throne Room, are not overtly political and do not endorse the label.

• 666 – At Calling Death (1993) was a documentary released by Nuclear Blast, which provides an abundance of interviews and perspectives on the meaning of both death and black metal genres from musicians who perform these styles, in light of the Norwegian scene church burnings and murders, which had been occurring around that time. The latter half of the documentary focuses on black metal.
• Parabellum – The Devil was born in Medellín [English Subtitles] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUgTN7bfPqk (2016)
• svarte alvor (1994)
• Satan Rides the Media (1998)
• Black Metal (1998), a Belgian documentary by Marilyn Watelet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinergie.be/film/black-metal|title=Black metal – Belgique 1998 – sur Cinergie.be|website=Cinergie.be}}
• Norsk Black Metal (2003) was aired on Norwegian TV by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK).
• Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005) touches on black metal in the early 1990s, and includes an extensive 25-minute feature on the DVD release.
• True Norwegian Black Metal (2007) is a five-part feature from VICE. It explores some of the aspects of the lifestyle, beliefs and controversies surrounding former Gorgoroth vocalist Gaahl.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4U33U_UyzQ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070506002326/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4U33U_UyzQ| archive-date=2007-05-06 | url-status=dead|title=True Norwegian Black Metal – VICE – 1 of 5 – YouTube |date=25 April 2007 |work=YouTube |access-date=4 September 2012}}
• Black Metal: A Documentary (2007), produced by Bill Zebub, explores the world of black metal from the point of view of the artists. There is no narrator and no one outside of black metal takes part in any interview or storytelling.
• Pure Fucking Mayhem (2009) tells the story of the black metal band Mayhem and the tragedies surrounding them.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Qoj9ViExY&hd=1 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626033820/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Qoj9ViExY&hd=1| archive-date=2014-06-26 | url-status=dead|title=Pure Fucking Mayhem Full Documentary |date=17 May 2012 |work=YouTube |access-date=19 January 2013}}
• Murder Music: A History of Black Metal (2007)
• The Misanthrope (2007) written and directed by Ted "Nocturno Culto" Skjellum from extreme metal duo Darkthrone.{{Citation|title=The Misanthrope (Video 2007) – IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535487/|language=en-US|access-date=2021-09-01}}
• Once Upon a Time in Norway (2008)
• Black Metal Satanica (2008)
• Until the Light Takes Us (2009) explores black metal's origins and subculture, featuring exclusive interviews and including rare footage from the Black Circle's early days.
• Loputon Gehennan Liekki (Eternal Flame of Gehenna)(2011) Finnish black metal documentary
• Out of the Black – A Black Metal Documentary (2012), an examination of the musical and social origins of black metal while exploring the full spectrum of the religious ideology within the scene. Also examines black metal in America and the multiple differences between the American and the Scandinavian scene.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=169099 |title=Blabbermouth.net – Black Metal Documentary 'Out of the Black' to Be Released for Free via Web |date=1 February 2012 |work=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=4 September 2012}}
• One Man Metal (2012) explores the lifestyle and thoughts of the members of the three one-man bands Xasthur, Leviathan and Striborg.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQl6PzXU4cQ | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211123/UQl6PzXU4cQ| archive-date=2021-11-23 | url-status=live|title=One Man Metal – Part 1 – Black Metal's Unexplored Fringes |date=2 October 2012 |work=YouTube |access-date=19 January 2013}}{{cbignore}}
• Attention! Black Metal (2012)
• Helvete: Historien om norsk black metal (2020). The history of Norwegian black metal from the early eighties through musical innovation, image building, murder, suicide and church burnings, and international recognition. With more focus on the history of the music and people involved, rather than just the scandals.{{Citation |title=Helvete: Historien om norsk black metal (TV Mini Series 2020–2021) – IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13193246/ |access-date=2023-04-11 |language=en-US}}

• A black metal mockumentary Legalize Murder was released in 2006.
• Parabellum – The Devil was born in Medellín [English Subtitles] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUgTN7bfPqk Parabellum – El Diablo Nació En Medellín [English Subtitles]] (2016)
• The cartoon show Metalocalypse is about an extreme metal band called Dethklok, with many references to leading black metal artists on the names of various businesses, such as Fintroll's convenience store, Dimmu Burger, Gorgoroth's electric wheelchair store, Carpathian Forest High School, Marduk's Putt & Stuff, Burzum's hot-dogs and Behemoth studios (the man who owns Behemoth studios is also named Mr. Grishnackh). In the episode "Dethdad", Dethklok travels to Norway to both visit Toki's dying father and the original black metal record store, much to the dismay of the band members when they find out the store does not sell any of their music, described by the owner as being "too digital".
• A Norwegian commercial for a laundry detergent once depicted black metal musicians as part of the advertisement.{{cite book |last=Christe |first=Ian |author-link=Ian Christe |title=Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal |location=New York |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2004 |page=289}}
• Black metal bands such as 1349, Emperor, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Enslaved and Satyricon have had their videos make appearances on MTV's Headbangers Ball.
• Comedian Brian Posehn made a visual reference to Norwegian black metal bands in the music video for his comedy song "Metal by Numbers".{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chiVMrWMHko | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211123/chiVMrWMHko| archive-date=2021-11-23 | url-status=live|title=Brian Posehn – "Metal by Numbers" – YouTube |work=YouTube | date=10 August 2006|access-date=4 September 2012}}{{cbignore}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO1rYr4BXAI A KFC commercial] screened in Canada (2008) and Australia (2010) featuring a fictional black metal band called Hellvetica. Onstage, the band's singer does a fire-eating trick. Once backstage, he takes a bite of the spicy KFC chicken and declares, "Oh man, that is hot".
• The twenty-first episode of the fourth season of Bones, "Mayhem on a Cross", featured the discovery of a human skeleton at a black metal concert in Norway.
• There are many references to black/extreme metal bands (Bathory, Marduk, Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir) in Åke Edwardson's 1999 crime novel Sun and Shadow (Sol och skugga). The plot involves the music of a fictional Canadian black metal band called Sacrament. As part of the inquiry, Inspector Winter tries to distinguish between black and death metal artists.{{cite book |last=Edwardson |first=Åke |author-link=Åke Edwardson |year=2005 |title=Sun and Shadow |location=New York |publisher=Viking Adult |language=sv |isbn=0-670-03415-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/sunshadow00edwa_0 }}
• In the UK show The Inbetweeners during some scenes in the sixth form common room, a Mayhem poster for the album Ordo ad Chao can be seen.
• A recurring theme in The IT Crowd (seasons 1 and 2) is the conversion of a character (Richmond) from executive to pariah through his exposure to Cradle of Filth.
• A black metal act is used to advertise "ZYX Sitruuna", a Finnish remedy for throat pain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nettiapteekki.fi/tuotteet/397/kurkkukipu/46623/zyx-sitruuna-3-mg-20-fol/|title=ZYX SITRUUNA 3 mg (1 × 20fol)|website=Nettiapteekki {{!}} Apteekkituotteet netistä|language=fi|access-date=6 March 2019}}
• Jonas Åkerlund's 2018 horror-thriller film, Lords of Chaos, based on the 1998 non-fiction book of the same name, centres around a series of crimes that occurred in Oslo, Norway in the early 1990s surrounding the black metal bands Mayhem and Burzum.

• List of black metal bands
• Shrieking

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Moynihan |first1=Michael |author1-link=Michael Moynihan (journalist) |last2=Søderlind |first2=Didrik |title=Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground |edition=revised and enlarged |year=2003 |orig-year=1998 |publisher=Feral House |location=Los Angeles, CA |oclc=63047807 |isbn=0-922915-94-6}}
• {{cite book |last1=Moynihan |first1=Michael |author1-link=Michael Moynihan (journalist) |last2=Søderlind |first2=Didrik |title=Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground |edition=first |year=1998 |publisher=Feral House |location=Venice, CA |oclc=39151590 |isbn=0-922915-48-2}}
• {{cite book |last=Olson |first=Benjamin Hedge |date=May 2008 |title=I Am the Black Wizards: Multiplicity, Mysticism and Identity in Black Metal Music and Culture |publisher=Bowling Green State University |url=https://etd.ohiolink.edu/pg_10?203880266478913::NO:10:P10_ETD_SUBID:48873 |access-date=7 July 2017 |archive-date=21 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321142050/https://etd.ohiolink.edu/pg_10?203880266478913::NO:10:P10_ETD_SUBID:48873 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite book |last=Kristiansen |first=Jon |year=2011 |title=Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries |location=New York |publisher=Bazillion Points Books |isbn=978-0-9796163-4-1}}
• {{cite book |last=Kahn-Harris |first=Keith |title=Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge |publisher=Berg |year=2007 |location=Oxford; New York |oclc=701719393 |isbn=978-1-84520-399-3}}
• {{cite book |last1=Partridge |first1=Christopher H. |last2=Christianson |first2=Eric S. |title=The Lure of the Dark Side: Satan and Western Demonology in Popular Culture |publisher=Routledge |year=2014 |isbn=9781317490791}}

• {{cite book |last=Ekeroth |first=Daniel |year=2008 |title=Swedish Death Metal |location=New York |publisher=Bazillion Points Books |isbn=978-0-9796163-1-0}}
• {{cite book |title=Le Style black metal |url=https://www.musicae.fr/livre-Le-style-Black-Metal-de-Berenger-Hainaut-168-123.html |year=2017 |publisher=Aedam Musicae |isbn=978-2-919046-21-8 |last=Hainaut|first=Bérenger|location=Château-Gontier}}
• {{cite book |others=Beste, Peter (photographer)|editor-last=Kugelberg |editor-first=John |title=True Norwegian Black Metal |location=New York |publisher=Power House Books |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-57687-435-6}}
• {{cite book |title=Theory and Analysis of Classic Heavy Metal Harmony |year=2009 |publisher=IAML Finland |isbn=978-952-5363-35-7 |last=Lilja|first=Esa|location=Helsinki}}
• {{cite book |editor-last=Metalphoto |editor-first=Chérie |others=Metalphoto, Chérie (photographer)|title=Chants of Evil: The Visions of the Breathing Darkness |year=2011 |publisher=Metalphoto Publisher |isbn=978-90-816734-1-9}}
• {{cite book |last=Patterson |first=Dayal |author-link=Dayal Patterson |year=2013 |title=Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult |location=Port Townsend |publisher=Feral House |isbn=978-1-936239-75-7}}
• {{cite book |editor1-last=Pattison |editor1-first=Louis |editor2-last=Richardson |editor2-first=Nick |editor3-last=Stosuy |editor3-first=Brandon |title=Black Metal: Beyond the Darkness |url=http://blackdogonline.com/music/black-metal.html |year=2012 |publisher=Black Dog Publishing |isbn=978-1-907317-72-9 |access-date=16 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512002827/http://blackdogonline.com/music/black-metal.html |archive-date=12 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}
• {{cite book |last=Swinford |first=Dean |year=2013 |title=Death Metal Epic (Book I: The Inverted Katabasis) |location=Dayton |publisher=Atlatl Press |isbn=978-0-9883484-3-1}}

{{wikiquote}}

{{Commons category|Black metal}}

{{Heavy metal music}}

{{Hardcore punk}}

{{Extreme metal}}

{{Authority control}}

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