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I’m keeping the Ulver album (cuz it’s amazing). I’m keeping Burzum, but I’m switching it for Filosofem (I know, poser choice, but 🤷🏻♂️). And I’m going to switch MotS with The Mantle.
Filosofem sucks solely bcs of the placement of the last track. It goes against everything a Burzum album was supposed to be.
The Mantle is by far the least black-metally Agalloch album and the actual poser choice here lol
All really great picks. Marrow of the Spirit is Agalloch’s most “black metal” album (and incredible overall) but I think The Mantle is still a better intro to the genre and the band, even if it’s more black metal adjacent
Marrow of the Spirit is so fucking underrated. Genuinely one of my most favorite albums of all time. Black Lake Niðstang and To Drown are among my top 5 songs ever
Risking being labelled a heretic but here's my two cents:
Cradle of Filth: Dusk and Her Embrace
Cradle of Filth: Cruelty and the Beast
Dimmu Borgir: Death Cult Armaggaedon
Dusk and Her Embrace is still their best work, in my opinion. While I liked Cruelty, I didn't actually enjoy it until I heard the remaster. Putting the actual drums back in really helped that one.
I only discovered black metal because of Cruelty and the Beast. Before that, I was obsessed with Coal Chamber and Marilyn Manson. I didn’t develop a taste for deathmetal or grindcore until I was in high school.
I mean it isn't black metal but:
Venom - Black Metal
It's more like thrash or blackened thrash. But the vocals are like typical black metal bands.
A great Album!
Venoms vocal on this album is nothing like the high pitched shrieks usually found in black metal. If you are talking about first wave though yeah you are right, but second wave vocals don't sound like this.
Black metal is a pretty broad genre. If we understand what else you like we can find some elements of those bands and use it to point you in the right direction
Can you do me one too?
I like Thrash by Metallica, Megadeth, Sodom, Kreator, Havok, Stone, and Warbringer
and I really dig Melodeath by early In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates, Dimension Zero, Gates of Ishtar, Majesties, and Edge of Sanity
If you like Sodom - in the sign of evil, you like a lot of second WAVE black metal cause the album influenced a lot of bands. Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is the perfect start imo, you hear a lot of similarities.
If you love all the Swedish melodeath stuff, Sweblack is probably your best bet.
Naglfar - Vittra
Lord Belial - Enter the Moonlit Gate
and, it's not my favorite, but chances are it will be yours:
Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane
If you like melodeath amd thrash, then check out Behemoth - it isn't full on black metal by any means, but it's a good transition band as you start to dip your toes in. The Satanist is your best intro, given your other tastes.
I would go with 3 completely different releases one from another:
1. Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (classic)
2. Kampfar - Ofidians Manifest (pagan)
3. Harakiri For The Sky - Arson (post-black)
Darkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky
Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse
Agalloch - The Mantle. This one may not be strictly black metal, but it uses enough of the style that I would count it.
If you never liked black metal the best path is to listen black metal related subgenres first. Try with songs like Brought to the water by Deafheaven or Nebeleste by Blut aus nord
Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane
Batushka - Litourgiya
Mgla - Exercise in Futility
Suidakra - Lays from Afar
Honourable mentions because they aren't trve black metal:
Vreid - Lifehunger (Melo Black)
Black Magick SS - Kaleidoscope Dreams (Black n' Roll/Magick Metal)
My starting points for black metal were:
Immortal- At The Heart Of Winter
Dissection- Storm Of The Light's Bane
Rotting Christ- Theogonia
Primordial- To The Nameless Dead (idk if this is considered black metal, but if it isn't then I'm not sure what to call it)
I’d go more with black thrash to transition to black metal personally. That being said:
Goatwhore - vengeful ascension
Hell ripper - coagulating darkness
Bonehunter - evil triumphs again
I think you need a tray of tasters, though it would help to know what you listened to and hated. Maybe try:
Sigh - Imaginary Soniscape
Zeal and Ardor - Zeal and Ardor
Der Weg einer Freiheit - Stellar
The first two contain BM elements, with the third one being very modern Post-BM. Nothing too raw or traditional, very palatable.
Nattens Madrigal by Ulver - Super raw, basically recorded on a potato, but It’s one of my favorite BM albums.
Pure Holocaust by Immortal - Don’t worry, no antisemitism despite the name.
INRI by Sarcófago- Old but gold
Special mention bands- Dragged into Sunlight (basically blackened death metal but they kind of straddle the line between several subgenres) and Spectral Wound.
Abruptum - Obscuritatem advoco amplectère me
Gnaw their tongues - All the Dread Magnificence of Perversity
Ildjarn - forest poetry
Some good entry level stuff for you pal
Three very different ones that I personally enjoy, which aren't Emperor or Burzum or something everyone will mention, would be as follows:
Sombres Forets- La mort du soleil
Der weg einer Freiheit- Finisterre
Dark Fortress- Stab wounds
Sunbather by Deafheaven
Finsterre by Der Weg einer Freiheit
The Damp Chill of Life by None
All three are fantastic gateway albums with lots of atmosphere and pr melodic elements.
Bathory-Bathory. It’s arguably the first black metal album. It’s very thrashy and I think you would like it
Emperor-in the night side eclipse. Just a very good album
Opeth-my arms your hearse. While I wouldn’t say it’s strictly black metal it was the transition point for opeth from progressive black metal to progressive death metal so to me it’s a little bit of both. It has the raw sound of black metal
I'll go a different route and suggest something different
Agriculture - Agriculture
Horned Almighty - Contaminating the Divine
Gudsforladt - Friendship, Love and War.
If you dislike all of them, you're a bad person. I don't make the rules.
Forget all the old shit. You can revisit that later. Better start on some modern stuff for accessibility.
Der Weg einer Freiheit - Finsterre
Hauntologist - Hollow
Ferriterium - Calvaire
If you like what you hear learn about different types of black metal and just follow the rabbit hole.
I'm very picky with black metal. I don't dislike it but it's not in my regular rotation. I tend to like bands that mix black metal with other genres like Goatwhore, Deafheaven, Skeletonwitch, Nachtmystium, etc.
That said, here are 3 traditional black metal albums I really like
Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk
Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane
Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
As someone who had a hard time getting into black metal at first, the albums that changed my mind were Agalloch's [Ashes Against the Grain](https://youtu.be/B1x8q64NXxA?si=VO4bwsqLn7qOQ77a) and Primordial's [To the Nameless Dead](https://youtu.be/Eeriu2FoUog?si=_R6kaqzpuLr2lYwh). I'll round that out with Venom's [Black Metal](https://youtu.be/AJuiWya6wfs?si=fGiLOYuGNERLuQum).
All of these are kind of 'hybrid' black metal albums, but enjoying those was the gateway to being able to appreciate the genre in general.
The question should be what do you like normally? BM is very diverse with sub genres in itself. For instance, I like symphonic black metal and ambient black metal.
If you like melodeath, numetal, or anything with a great melody or some symphonic stuff, I’d suggest Septicflesh: codex omega; shade empire: omega arcane; and Dimmu Borgir: puritanical euphoric misanthropia.
If you like folk metal: Borknagar: winter thrice; drudkk: Autumn aurora; and harmdaud: blinda dodens barn
I’ll leave the straight BM recommendations to others.
Instinctus Bestialis by Gorgoroth, this album was my introduction to black metal, it has a little bit of similarities to death metal vocally which was my gateway into bm
Root - Hell Symphony
Samael - Ceremony of Opposites
Rotting Christ - Triarchy of Lost Lovers
Three of the least "Norwegian" sounding Black Metal bands/albums that you may get some enjoyment out of.
What albums would you suggest if I add that I hate raw/shitty production and that I like black when it's mixed with other subgenres by non-black band ? For example, I love Ne Obliviscaris or Belzebubs.
Probably get flamed! But here goes,
Cradle of Filth: Midian or Bitter Suites to Succubi
Dimmu Borgir: Puritanical (that album is relentless)
Immortal: Sons of Northern Darkness
Special mentions:
Dark Fortress: Ylem
Emperor: IX Equilibrium
Watain: The Wild Hunt or Sworn
Satyricon: Volcano
Dark Funeral: de Profundis Clamavi Ad TE Domine
Mayhem: Chimera
Somehow no one has recommended Sunbather by Deafheaven yet but it’s an amazing album. It has a lot of post metal and shoegaze elements which might help to ease you in.
Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain \[Arguably not a REAL black metal album, but black metal is a big enough aspect that it's a really nice entry point.\]
Enslaved - Ruun \[Another "not a real black metal album" recommendation. It's pretty solidly in between prog metal and black metal. A personal favorite of mine.\]
Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness \[Not their pinnacle, but it's not far off and it's by far their most accessible record. This one is a proper true black metal release.\]
Bathory - Blood Fire Death
Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain
Suotana - Ounas 1
Easiest albums to get into in my opinion since they are stylistically similar to other genres but have black metal vocals, so they will acclimate you to the vocals while musically being familiar to genres you might already like. Gateway drug albums basically, in addition to all being absolute bangers.
only 3? Fuck that.
Gorgoroth - Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam
Windir - Arntor
Celtic Frost - Monotheist
Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk
Sportlov - Offerblod i vallabod
Bergraven - Dödsvisioner
Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain
Austere - Corrosion of Hearts / To lay like old ashes
Ulver - Bergtatt
Summoning - Stronghold
Immortal - All Shall Fall
Forgotten Tomb - Springtime Depression
Wildernessking - Mystical Future
Finntroll - Midnattens widunder
Fosch - Rais
Malsain - They Never Die
Caïna - Hands that Pluck
Necrophobic - Hrimthursum
Pillorian - A Stygian Pyre
Samael - Ceremony of Opposites
Sumeragi - The Good Man Has No Shape
Sun of the Sleepless - Poems to the Wretches Hearts
Gris - Il Était Une Forêt
Istapp - Köldens Union
Kvist - For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike
Lantlôs - Lantlôs
Thy Light - Suici.De.Pression
Leviathan - Scar Sighted
https://preview.redd.it/r45tycjyaqbd1.jpeg?width=316&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ec7b20d14a2c1e209dca8a0fc2983834f496db4
New Bermuda by Deafheaven.
I disagree with people saying Sunbather..
Sunbather isn’t even trying to be Black Metal at all. But new Bermuda IS a solid black metal record
My favorites are:
Gorgoroth - Pentagram
Obtained Enslavement - Witchcraft
Naglfar - Diabolical
But if you like Deathcore, then:
Impaled Nazarene - Ugra Karma (has insanely deathcore tuned drumming. It's one of the angriest albums I think I've ever heard.)
Mgła - Exercises in Futility
Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane
Immortal - At The Heart of Winter
I'll throw a 4th in as well, Djevel - Tanker Som Rir Natten
Panopticon - Autumn eternal
Afsky - Om hundrede år
Wolves in the throne room - Black cascade
Basically the albums that got me into black metal, although bands like blackbraid or solbrud also helped. All very atmospheric
The Mantle - Agalloch
True North - Borknagar
The Circle - Heretoir
These 3 bands are what got me into black metal. I also think these albums cover a decent amount of what black metal has to offer without scaring anyone away from it.
Winterfylleth - The Divination of Antiquity or The Dark Hearafter
Praise the Plague - Suffocating In the Current of Time
Inherit The Scars - Scars of Yesteryears
Darkthrone - Transylvanian Hunger
Immortal - Diabolic Full Moon Mysticism
Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse
Honorable mentions (if you like the above):
First, avoid Burzum, then
Darkthrone - Under a Funeral Moon
Darkthrone - A Blaze In The Northern Sky
Mayhem - DMDS
Deafhaven - Sunbather (inb4 thr🤓☝🏻 "tHaTs NoT tRvE kVlT" black metal shit lords)
None: Damp Chill of Life
Hellripper: Complete and Total Fucking Mayhem.
Cradle of Filth: V Empire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein
Idk how much cred these will get from the BM community, but if this your last shot, might as well throw em out here. They're pretty accessible, as far as BM goes. Hellrippers kind of 1st wave sounding, but I think it counts.
Too bad I got into this late because now your flooded w suggestions. However, if you get the chance try:
Craft - Fuck the Universe
Black n roll w better production than your typical lo fi BM. The riffs slay.
I only have two but Blackbraid's self titled albums were the first black metal I really liked. Also has some folk metal elements if you're into that sort of thing.
The top comment is a good rec, but if you want something that feels more like traditional metal (in terms of riffs and rhythm) then listen to Samael: Ceremony of Opposites
• Zeal & Ardor - Zeal & Ardor
• Blackbraid - Blackbraid II
• Amiensus - Reclamation
People are leading you stray by giving you straight black metal. Start with something melodic or genre-blended.
Behemoth - The Satanist (Behemoth is not quite black metal but it’s blackened death metal so if you don’t like black metal then a black metal adjacent subgenre is a good starter)
Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness
Blackbraid - Blackbraid II
Yeah its gnarly. Been into it since I was like 12/13. You are fine with it and def dont have to like every subgenre or need any of us BM fans to convince you
If you like thrash try Blood Fire Death by Bathory, if you like experimental try Sham Mirrors by Arcturus, and my melodic pick could have been several things (Immortal or Dissection are the biggies) but I'll go with a slightly lesser known one: For kunsten maa vi evig vike by Kvist.
Dissection - storm of the lights bane
Immortal - battles of the north or pure holocaust
Emperor - in the nightside eclipse
If you dont like any of those, black metals got nothing for you
Not super well versed in Black Metal myself, but I always see people lump Behemoth in there, and they’re a lot more accessible compared to most. Their album Evangelion is amazing
Sunbather by Deafheaven, Two Hunters by Wolves In The Throne Room, and Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 by Nachtmystium. I’ve been going back to these 3 albums for years now.
If it's the production style that keeps you away, I would recommend something like
Abigail Williams - *Walk Beyond The Dark*
This is a band that has kinda struggled with finding their sound for years that finally nailed it with this album. Their early albums had clean production, but were arguably too polished and a bit unoriginal. I'll still defend both the first two albums, but I can see why others dislike them. They followed that up with *Becoming* and *Accuser*, which saw them refine a more original sound, but they also went towards the standard lo-fi production style of Black Metal, and *Accuser* even ditched all their symphonic elements which was a mistake IMO. I like them too, but what we needed was a mix of the sounds, and that's what we finally got with this album. Production is clear and clean, but not hyper-polished. It sounds organic. Songwriting is original and creative, and instead of the typical keyboard-worship of Symphblack, we instead gets lots of Cello which is really unique.
If you're fine with raw production, but it's the general harshness that gets on your nerves,
Go with *In The Nightside Eclipse* by Emperor. The defining Symphblack album, where the Black Metal riffs' harshness is offset by beautiful keyboards and atmosphere.
If it's the lack of melody, then you'll find something with
*Storm of the Light's Bane* by Dissection. An album mixing Norway's Black Metal with Gothenburg's Melodic Death Metal to create something rather unique and beautiful.
And, going beyond three I know, but for a transition from Death Metal to Black Metal, I cannot recommend *A Blaze In The Northern Sky* by Darkthrone enough, as it was their own transition between genres. I love the two albums that followed it as well, but they're clearly Black Metal albums for Black Metal fans. Northern Sky is a Black Metal album that can appeal to Death Metal fans, and alternatively, could arguably even be seen as the first Blackened Death record.
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Mgla - Exercises in Futility Immortal - At the Heart of Winter Batushka - Litourgiya These where my biggest gateways into black metal.
I second the Batushka. Even someone who doesn't like BM should be impressed at how well crafted the songs are.
indeed. im not into black metal pretty much at all but litourgiya is one of my all time favourite albums
Ok, I’ll hand it to you. I just spun the first track from Mgla and my first thought was “This isn’t too bad”.
Entire album is great. Also recommend "With hearts toward none" from them.
At the Heart of winter is what made me like Black Metal
i would add Immortal - Northern Chaos Gods
These 3 are mine as well. Batushka is amazing. Their stage shows are crazy, but the way they craft songs is next level.
Hvis Lyset Tar Oss by Burzum Bergtatt by Ulver Marrow of the Spirit by Agalloch
Amazing albums
I’m keeping the Ulver album (cuz it’s amazing). I’m keeping Burzum, but I’m switching it for Filosofem (I know, poser choice, but 🤷🏻♂️). And I’m going to switch MotS with The Mantle.
Filosofem sucks solely bcs of the placement of the last track. It goes against everything a Burzum album was supposed to be. The Mantle is by far the least black-metally Agalloch album and the actual poser choice here lol
Saying Filosofem sucks is a bit extreme, but I do agree. I think the last two tracks should be switched
All really great picks. Marrow of the Spirit is Agalloch’s most “black metal” album (and incredible overall) but I think The Mantle is still a better intro to the genre and the band, even if it’s more black metal adjacent
Marrow of the Spirit is so fucking underrated. Genuinely one of my most favorite albums of all time. Black Lake Niðstang and To Drown are among my top 5 songs ever
Immortal - At the heart of winter Dissection - Storm of the light’s bane Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at dust
I'm glad I'm seeing Dissection mentioned. That's some original black metal.
If OP is coming from thrash or trad heavy metal, then yes, this is it.
Not OP but I’m definitely gonna check these out. Cuz I don’t know if I’ve ever listened to anything black metal
Blood in our Wells - Drudkh
I would have picked Autumn Aurora, but still and excellent choice.
Nice! I put Autumn Aurora on my recommendation
Furrows Of Gods is one of my favorite songs ever
Yes
Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane Behemoth - Demigod
Demigod is not even black metal
Of all their albums that one is probably the least black metal
The reason I chose this one is because it's accessible to someone trying to get into the genre.
Two classics there!
>Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane Thank you for including the OGs. That album goes hard.
If you dig atmospheric stuff check out Summoning, Caladan Brood, Gallowbraid and Agalloch
Risking being labelled a heretic but here's my two cents: Cradle of Filth: Dusk and Her Embrace Cradle of Filth: Cruelty and the Beast Dimmu Borgir: Death Cult Armaggaedon
All 3 of these are amazing albums, that said your a heretic anyways....it ain't a bad thing lol
Not a COF fan but they serve well as a gateway band. Same goes to Dimmu.
Actually these are great gateway bands and great gateway albums, so if anything, your suggestion to get someone to like BM is on point
They're easy on the ear, so these are good gateway albums.
Don’t forget about Midian.
I love Midian. But I feel like its sound diverges quite a bit from the classic black metal sound.
Not a big black metal fan, but I really enjoyed all of these albums.
Love COF
Dusk and Her Embrace is still their best work, in my opinion. While I liked Cruelty, I didn't actually enjoy it until I heard the remaster. Putting the actual drums back in really helped that one.
I only discovered black metal because of Cruelty and the Beast. Before that, I was obsessed with Coal Chamber and Marilyn Manson. I didn’t develop a taste for deathmetal or grindcore until I was in high school.
Towards the Depths by Woods of Desolation I sometimes listen to it while hiking in the nature, such an awesome vibe.
I'd say any Woods of Desolation album, except for perhaps their most recent, is an excellent gateway for a certain type of postrock lover.
All of None's discography Aquilus - Griseus / Bellum I & II Mare Cognitum - Solar Paroxysm
Borknagar - Fall, Arcturus - Arcturian, Vintersorg - Orkan
BASED Borknagar enjoyer
Yes yes and yes. Have you head Harmdaud yet? Vintersorg is in that band too, it’s so good!
In the night side eclipse by Emperor. before it i fr hated black metal
Genuinely one of the best albums of all time
Dissection - Storm of the Lights Bane Watain - Sworn to the Dark or The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain (cleaner sound but it has the spirit)
1184 - Windir Love Exchange Failure - White Ward Satan Spits on Children of Light - Devil Master
Rotting Christ - thy mighty contract Absu - tara Emperor - in the nightside eclipse
I mean it isn't black metal but: Venom - Black Metal It's more like thrash or blackened thrash. But the vocals are like typical black metal bands. A great Album!
Venoms vocal on this album is nothing like the high pitched shrieks usually found in black metal. If you are talking about first wave though yeah you are right, but second wave vocals don't sound like this.
Yes only first wave. I am not into later black metal.
Fair
Any early Venom is great, some of the later stuff, too. For me first wave black metal > second wave.
Well what do you like? As a starting point for recommendations
You mean like what other bands I like?
Black metal is a pretty broad genre. If we understand what else you like we can find some elements of those bands and use it to point you in the right direction
Can you do me one too? I like Thrash by Metallica, Megadeth, Sodom, Kreator, Havok, Stone, and Warbringer and I really dig Melodeath by early In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates, Dimension Zero, Gates of Ishtar, Majesties, and Edge of Sanity
If you like Sodom - in the sign of evil, you like a lot of second WAVE black metal cause the album influenced a lot of bands. Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is the perfect start imo, you hear a lot of similarities.
If you love all the Swedish melodeath stuff, Sweblack is probably your best bet. Naglfar - Vittra Lord Belial - Enter the Moonlit Gate and, it's not my favorite, but chances are it will be yours: Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane
If you like melodeath amd thrash, then check out Behemoth - it isn't full on black metal by any means, but it's a good transition band as you start to dip your toes in. The Satanist is your best intro, given your other tastes.
Dark Fortress - Venereal Dawn Secrets of the Moon - Seven Bells Enslaved - Heimdal
Bathory - Blood Fire Death Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain Darkthrone - Under a Funeral Moon
I would go with 3 completely different releases one from another: 1. Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (classic) 2. Kampfar - Ofidians Manifest (pagan) 3. Harakiri For The Sky - Arson (post-black)
Darkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse Agalloch - The Mantle. This one may not be strictly black metal, but it uses enough of the style that I would count it.
If you never liked black metal the best path is to listen black metal related subgenres first. Try with songs like Brought to the water by Deafheaven or Nebeleste by Blut aus nord
Thorns. Stellar Master Elite will change your life.
Thank you. I couldn't believe I was the only one to rec Thorns. It will change your life.
Oh shit I forgot about Thorns. Is that guy ever going to release anything again? What an absolutely bonkers career path...
Borknagar - The Olden Domain Dissection - The Somberlain Agalloch - Pale Folklore
Moonsorrow - Verisäkeet Deathspell Omega - Paracletus Paysage d'hiver - self-titled Bonus: Al-namrood - Diaji Al Joor (arabic folk-influenced black metal, I find them super fun)
Blaze of Perdition - Conscious Darkness Gaerea - Mirage Der Weg einer Freiheit - Noktvrn
Noktvrn is solid, but I would still argue that Stellar is their best work.
Stellar is really great. An great album. I want to purchase for my vinyl collection
https://evilgreed.net/collections/der-weg-einer-freiheit/products/der-weg-einer-freheit-stellar-lp
Ulver -Nattens Magdrigal
Blut Aus Nord - Hallucinogen Outre - Ghost Chants Gorrch - Introvertere
Can Bardd - Devoured by the Oak SAOR - Aura Véhémence - Ordalies
Dimmu borgir - spiritual black dimensions Windir - likford Thy serpent- Death
Windir! Scrolled too long to find this
Wayfarer - Worlds Blood not realy black metal but was an eye opener for me
Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism (Immortal) is all you need, actually ☝️
As someone who doesn't listen to black metal, The Mantle by Agalloch is one of the best albums i've ever listened to.
Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane Ulver - Bergtatt Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse
Ringnevond - Nattverd Borknagar- self titled Kampfar - Kvass
Thy Mighty Contract - Rotting Christ Heir to despair - Sigh Covenant - Nexus Polaris
Shining - Halmstad Mayhem - Ordo ad Chao Marduk - Nightwing
Funeral Mist - Maranatha. Dearhspell Omega - Kenose. Hate Forest - Purity
Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane Batushka - Litourgiya Mgla - Exercise in Futility Suidakra - Lays from Afar Honourable mentions because they aren't trve black metal: Vreid - Lifehunger (Melo Black) Black Magick SS - Kaleidoscope Dreams (Black n' Roll/Magick Metal)
Deathspell Omega - Paracletus Mgla - Exercises in Futility Watain - Lawless Darkness
Blackbraid - Blackbraid I Blackbraid - Blackbraid II
My starting points for black metal were: Immortal- At The Heart Of Winter Dissection- Storm Of The Light's Bane Rotting Christ- Theogonia Primordial- To The Nameless Dead (idk if this is considered black metal, but if it isn't then I'm not sure what to call it)
I’d go more with black thrash to transition to black metal personally. That being said: Goatwhore - vengeful ascension Hell ripper - coagulating darkness Bonehunter - evil triumphs again
Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane Bathory - Blood Fire Death
The three albums that got me into black metal were: Craft- fuck the universe Deathspell Omega- kenose Wolves in the throne room- two hunters
I think you need a tray of tasters, though it would help to know what you listened to and hated. Maybe try: Sigh - Imaginary Soniscape Zeal and Ardor - Zeal and Ardor Der Weg einer Freiheit - Stellar The first two contain BM elements, with the third one being very modern Post-BM. Nothing too raw or traditional, very palatable.
Ash Borer first EP, any Paysage D'Hiver and any Absu E: Gonna drop Profanatica and Havohej here also. Paul Ledley is goat
Frost like Ashes - Tophet Darkspace - Darkspace 1 Путь - Песни смерти
Nattens Madrigal by Ulver - Super raw, basically recorded on a potato, but It’s one of my favorite BM albums. Pure Holocaust by Immortal - Don’t worry, no antisemitism despite the name. INRI by Sarcófago- Old but gold Special mention bands- Dragged into Sunlight (basically blackened death metal but they kind of straddle the line between several subgenres) and Spectral Wound.
Abruptum - Obscuritatem advoco amplectère me Gnaw their tongues - All the Dread Magnificence of Perversity Ildjarn - forest poetry Some good entry level stuff for you pal
Three very different ones that I personally enjoy, which aren't Emperor or Burzum or something everyone will mention, would be as follows: Sombres Forets- La mort du soleil Der weg einer Freiheit- Finisterre Dark Fortress- Stab wounds
The Somberlain - Dissection In the Nightside Eclipse - Emperor A Blaze in the Northern Sky - Darkthrone
Emperor - Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise Jute Gyte - Perdurance Krallice - Dimensional Bleedthrough
Sunbather by deafheaven or Agriculture by Agriculture trust me
Sunbather by Deafheaven Finsterre by Der Weg einer Freiheit The Damp Chill of Life by None All three are fantastic gateway albums with lots of atmosphere and pr melodic elements.
This Gift is a Curse - I, Gvilt bearer Volahn - Dimensiónes del trance kósmico Bethlehem - Dark metal
I don't listen to black metal, but Burzum - Dunkelheit (first song on Filosofem) is on my top 20 of all metal songs.
Bathory-Bathory. It’s arguably the first black metal album. It’s very thrashy and I think you would like it Emperor-in the night side eclipse. Just a very good album Opeth-my arms your hearse. While I wouldn’t say it’s strictly black metal it was the transition point for opeth from progressive black metal to progressive death metal so to me it’s a little bit of both. It has the raw sound of black metal
I'll go a different route and suggest something different Agriculture - Agriculture Horned Almighty - Contaminating the Divine Gudsforladt - Friendship, Love and War. If you dislike all of them, you're a bad person. I don't make the rules.
Storm of the Light's Bane by Dissection We Are The Apocalypse by Dark Funeral The Mantle by Agalloch
All three albums by Madmans Esprit. They are called Nacht, Conscientization of Unconsciousness and I See Myself Through You Who See Us Through Me
Cradle of Filth got me started. Try some early albums; Midian, Cruelty and the Beast, Dusk and Her Embrace. I also like Nymphetamine.
The black Satan's ... The Satan of hell. Best video EVER
Forget all the old shit. You can revisit that later. Better start on some modern stuff for accessibility. Der Weg einer Freiheit - Finsterre Hauntologist - Hollow Ferriterium - Calvaire If you like what you hear learn about different types of black metal and just follow the rabbit hole.
Melancholie2 by Cold World has an excellent atmosphere. There’s beauty in the darkness. https://youtu.be/iT1PMVaE4XQ?si=3AhkghuluiXcGa_X
• Menschenmüle by Kanonenfieber • Godslastering: Hymns of a Forlorn Peasantry by Hulder • In the Nightside Eclipse by Emperor
Litourgiya - batushka
Gorgoroth - Instinctus Bestialis Satyricon - Deep Calleth Upon Deep Tombs - Grand Annihilation Enslaved - Vertebrae (or any really)
Original stormbläst - Dimmu Borgir
Behexen- Rituale Satanum Autumn Nostalgie- Esse Est Percipi Ghost Bath- Self Loather
The Mantle - Agalloch Ecailles de Luné - Alcest The Satanist - Behemoth
Thorns
No Bathory- Under the Sign of the Black Mark?!?! That was my first black metal album I listened to and got me hooked
I'm very picky with black metal. I don't dislike it but it's not in my regular rotation. I tend to like bands that mix black metal with other genres like Goatwhore, Deafheaven, Skeletonwitch, Nachtmystium, etc. That said, here are 3 traditional black metal albums I really like Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
As someone who had a hard time getting into black metal at first, the albums that changed my mind were Agalloch's [Ashes Against the Grain](https://youtu.be/B1x8q64NXxA?si=VO4bwsqLn7qOQ77a) and Primordial's [To the Nameless Dead](https://youtu.be/Eeriu2FoUog?si=_R6kaqzpuLr2lYwh). I'll round that out with Venom's [Black Metal](https://youtu.be/AJuiWya6wfs?si=fGiLOYuGNERLuQum). All of these are kind of 'hybrid' black metal albums, but enjoying those was the gateway to being able to appreciate the genre in general.
The question should be what do you like normally? BM is very diverse with sub genres in itself. For instance, I like symphonic black metal and ambient black metal. If you like melodeath, numetal, or anything with a great melody or some symphonic stuff, I’d suggest Septicflesh: codex omega; shade empire: omega arcane; and Dimmu Borgir: puritanical euphoric misanthropia. If you like folk metal: Borknagar: winter thrice; drudkk: Autumn aurora; and harmdaud: blinda dodens barn I’ll leave the straight BM recommendations to others.
Wolves in the Throne Room - Two Hunters is what got me. Go for a walk in a forest with this in your ears and you will be convinced!
Sons of immortal darkness - immortal Daemon - Mayhem Dead Reaver - Abbath
1184 - Windir Solar Paroxysm - Mare Cognitum Immortal - At the Heart of Winter
Taake- Nattestid Ser Porten Vid Satyricon - Nemesis Divinia Ulver - Nattens Madrigal
Instinctus Bestialis by Gorgoroth, this album was my introduction to black metal, it has a little bit of similarities to death metal vocally which was my gateway into bm
Root - Hell Symphony Samael - Ceremony of Opposites Rotting Christ - Triarchy of Lost Lovers Three of the least "Norwegian" sounding Black Metal bands/albums that you may get some enjoyment out of.
What albums would you suggest if I add that I hate raw/shitty production and that I like black when it's mixed with other subgenres by non-black band ? For example, I love Ne Obliviscaris or Belzebubs.
Probably get flamed! But here goes, Cradle of Filth: Midian or Bitter Suites to Succubi Dimmu Borgir: Puritanical (that album is relentless) Immortal: Sons of Northern Darkness Special mentions: Dark Fortress: Ylem Emperor: IX Equilibrium Watain: The Wild Hunt or Sworn Satyricon: Volcano Dark Funeral: de Profundis Clamavi Ad TE Domine Mayhem: Chimera
Somehow no one has recommended Sunbather by Deafheaven yet but it’s an amazing album. It has a lot of post metal and shoegaze elements which might help to ease you in.
what kind of other metal do u like
Deafheaven - Roads to Judah Aodon - Portraits Sworn - A Journey Told Through Fire
Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain \[Arguably not a REAL black metal album, but black metal is a big enough aspect that it's a really nice entry point.\] Enslaved - Ruun \[Another "not a real black metal album" recommendation. It's pretty solidly in between prog metal and black metal. A personal favorite of mine.\] Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness \[Not their pinnacle, but it's not far off and it's by far their most accessible record. This one is a proper true black metal release.\]
no
Emperor- Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk Immortal- Sons Of Northern Darkness Sacramentum- Far Away From The Sun
Dark Funeral-Where Shadows Forever Reign Behemoth-The Satanist Mgla-Exceises In Futility Honorable mention:Cult of Fire-Ascetic Meditation of Death
Darkthrone - old star
Bathory - Blood Fire Death Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain Suotana - Ounas 1 Easiest albums to get into in my opinion since they are stylistically similar to other genres but have black metal vocals, so they will acclimate you to the vocals while musically being familiar to genres you might already like. Gateway drug albums basically, in addition to all being absolute bangers.
only 3? Fuck that. Gorgoroth - Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam Windir - Arntor Celtic Frost - Monotheist Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk Sportlov - Offerblod i vallabod Bergraven - Dödsvisioner Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain Austere - Corrosion of Hearts / To lay like old ashes Ulver - Bergtatt Summoning - Stronghold Immortal - All Shall Fall Forgotten Tomb - Springtime Depression Wildernessking - Mystical Future Finntroll - Midnattens widunder Fosch - Rais Malsain - They Never Die Caïna - Hands that Pluck Necrophobic - Hrimthursum Pillorian - A Stygian Pyre Samael - Ceremony of Opposites Sumeragi - The Good Man Has No Shape Sun of the Sleepless - Poems to the Wretches Hearts Gris - Il Était Une Forêt Istapp - Köldens Union Kvist - For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike Lantlôs - Lantlôs Thy Light - Suici.De.Pression Leviathan - Scar Sighted
Mordant rhed - don't touch the skeleton in the darkened forest Mayhem - deamon Darkthrone - blaze in the northern sky
might be basic but Ulver - Bergtatt Dimmu Borgir - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia In the nightside eclipse - Emperor
Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse
- Ulver - Bergtatt - Gorgoroth - Pentagram - Darkthrone Panzerfaust (or The Cult Is Alive, but that’s diluted with punk)
Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk Mayhem - Daemon Satyricon - Nemesis Divina
https://preview.redd.it/r45tycjyaqbd1.jpeg?width=316&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ec7b20d14a2c1e209dca8a0fc2983834f496db4 New Bermuda by Deafheaven. I disagree with people saying Sunbather.. Sunbather isn’t even trying to be Black Metal at all. But new Bermuda IS a solid black metal record
My favorites are: Gorgoroth - Pentagram Obtained Enslavement - Witchcraft Naglfar - Diabolical But if you like Deathcore, then: Impaled Nazarene - Ugra Karma (has insanely deathcore tuned drumming. It's one of the angriest albums I think I've ever heard.)
Mgła - Exercises in Futility Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane Immortal - At The Heart of Winter I'll throw a 4th in as well, Djevel - Tanker Som Rir Natten
I’m the same way, and I’ve been given so many recommendations I just can’t get into it at all
Deathspell Omega - Paracletus Kriegsmaschine - Enemy of Man Mgla - Age of Excuse (could be EoF but AoE clears it in terms of production quality)
Panopticon - Autumn eternal Afsky - Om hundrede år Wolves in the throne room - Black cascade Basically the albums that got me into black metal, although bands like blackbraid or solbrud also helped. All very atmospheric
MGLA- with hearts twords none Batushka- litourgiya Immortal- Sons of Northern Darkness
The Mantle - Agalloch True North - Borknagar The Circle - Heretoir These 3 bands are what got me into black metal. I also think these albums cover a decent amount of what black metal has to offer without scaring anyone away from it.
Tsjuder - Kill For Satan Belphegor - Bondage Goat Zombie Gorgoroth - Antichrist
Winterfylleth - The Divination of Antiquity or The Dark Hearafter Praise the Plague - Suffocating In the Current of Time Inherit The Scars - Scars of Yesteryears
Bathory - Blood Fire Death Burzum - Det Som Engang Var Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin At Dusk
Lustre - Thirst for Summer Rain Burzum - Filosofem Darkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky
Darkthrone - Transylvanian Hunger Immortal - Diabolic Full Moon Mysticism Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse Honorable mentions (if you like the above): First, avoid Burzum, then Darkthrone - Under a Funeral Moon Darkthrone - A Blaze In The Northern Sky Mayhem - DMDS Deafhaven - Sunbather (inb4 thr🤓☝🏻 "tHaTs NoT tRvE kVlT" black metal shit lords)
Tales From Eternal Dusk - Dark Fortress The Archaic Course - Borknagar Diadem of Twelve Stars - Wolves In the Throne Room
None: Damp Chill of Life Hellripper: Complete and Total Fucking Mayhem. Cradle of Filth: V Empire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein Idk how much cred these will get from the BM community, but if this your last shot, might as well throw em out here. They're pretty accessible, as far as BM goes. Hellrippers kind of 1st wave sounding, but I think it counts.
Too bad I got into this late because now your flooded w suggestions. However, if you get the chance try: Craft - Fuck the Universe Black n roll w better production than your typical lo fi BM. The riffs slay.
Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness Darkthrone - it beckons us all Satyricon - Now, Diabolical
I only have two but Blackbraid's self titled albums were the first black metal I really liked. Also has some folk metal elements if you're into that sort of thing.
Gaerea - Mirage Gevurah - Gehinnom Uada - Crepuscule Natura
The top comment is a good rec, but if you want something that feels more like traditional metal (in terms of riffs and rhythm) then listen to Samael: Ceremony of Opposites
Summoning - Minas Morgul
Dissection - Storm of the Light’s Bane Immortal - At the Heart of Winter Katatonia - Dance of December Souls
Taake - Hordalands Doedskvad Gorgoroth - Under the Sign of Hell 2011 Datkthrone - Panzerfaust
Dimmu borgir and behemoth were my gateway then it got far far darker over the years
• Zeal & Ardor - Zeal & Ardor • Blackbraid - Blackbraid II • Amiensus - Reclamation People are leading you stray by giving you straight black metal. Start with something melodic or genre-blended.
Behemoth - The Satanist (Behemoth is not quite black metal but it’s blackened death metal so if you don’t like black metal then a black metal adjacent subgenre is a good starter) Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness Blackbraid - Blackbraid II
Instinctus Bestialis - Gorgoroth Imaginary Sonicscape - Sigh Autumn Eternal - Panopticon
Yeah its gnarly. Been into it since I was like 12/13. You are fine with it and def dont have to like every subgenre or need any of us BM fans to convince you
If you like thrash try Blood Fire Death by Bathory, if you like experimental try Sham Mirrors by Arcturus, and my melodic pick could have been several things (Immortal or Dissection are the biggies) but I'll go with a slightly lesser known one: For kunsten maa vi evig vike by Kvist.
That one emperor album
Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane Burzum - Hvis Lyset Tar Oss Bathory - Under the Sign of The Black Mark
Deathcrush-Mayhem In the Nightside Eclipse-Emperor Bergtatt-Ulver
Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness Bathory - Blood Fire Death Dimmu Borgir - Death Cult Armageddon
Dissection - storm of the lights bane Immortal - battles of the north or pure holocaust Emperor - in the nightside eclipse If you dont like any of those, black metals got nothing for you
Storm of the Lights Bane (Dissection), Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (Emperor), Minas Morgul (Summoning)
Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse Enslaved - Hordanes lands Gehenna - First Spell
No, just continue to not like it. I’d respect you more.
Not super well versed in Black Metal myself, but I always see people lump Behemoth in there, and they’re a lot more accessible compared to most. Their album Evangelion is amazing
agalloch - the mantle. uada - cult of a dying sun. none - damp chill of life.
Sunbather by Deafheaven, Two Hunters by Wolves In The Throne Room, and Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 by Nachtmystium. I’ve been going back to these 3 albums for years now.
If it's the production style that keeps you away, I would recommend something like Abigail Williams - *Walk Beyond The Dark* This is a band that has kinda struggled with finding their sound for years that finally nailed it with this album. Their early albums had clean production, but were arguably too polished and a bit unoriginal. I'll still defend both the first two albums, but I can see why others dislike them. They followed that up with *Becoming* and *Accuser*, which saw them refine a more original sound, but they also went towards the standard lo-fi production style of Black Metal, and *Accuser* even ditched all their symphonic elements which was a mistake IMO. I like them too, but what we needed was a mix of the sounds, and that's what we finally got with this album. Production is clear and clean, but not hyper-polished. It sounds organic. Songwriting is original and creative, and instead of the typical keyboard-worship of Symphblack, we instead gets lots of Cello which is really unique. If you're fine with raw production, but it's the general harshness that gets on your nerves, Go with *In The Nightside Eclipse* by Emperor. The defining Symphblack album, where the Black Metal riffs' harshness is offset by beautiful keyboards and atmosphere. If it's the lack of melody, then you'll find something with *Storm of the Light's Bane* by Dissection. An album mixing Norway's Black Metal with Gothenburg's Melodic Death Metal to create something rather unique and beautiful. And, going beyond three I know, but for a transition from Death Metal to Black Metal, I cannot recommend *A Blaze In The Northern Sky* by Darkthrone enough, as it was their own transition between genres. I love the two albums that followed it as well, but they're clearly Black Metal albums for Black Metal fans. Northern Sky is a Black Metal album that can appeal to Death Metal fans, and alternatively, could arguably even be seen as the first Blackened Death record.