My Top Ten Black Metal Albums (So Far…)
Black metal has invaded my soul! I spend hours, megabytes and money downloading countless bands from numerous countries, basking in the beauty of black metal! These are my all-time favorites.
Burzum – Filosofem (Misanthropy/Cymophane)
When I first heard this album about ten years ago, I was instantly hypnotized. It became the first black metal album I ever bought. Lush atmospheres, sweeping rhythms, tortured vocals, even a 25-minute keyboard track. Includes my favorite black metal song EVER, “Jesus’ Tod.”
Hate Forest – Purity (Supernal)
Very drone-y Ukrainian band whose members took an interest in the customs and mythology of their ancestors (they broke up in 2007). Mid-tempo songs with deep, guttural vocals and simple, repetitive riffs. The result is absolutely mesmerizing.
Mayhem – Live in Leipzig (Avantgarde/Century)
The best recording with deceased vocalist Dead that I’ve heard to date. The band is in top form as it blasts through its set, which, according to legend, was augmented by animal carcasses and Dead’s rampant self-mutilation. Hamburger, anyone?
Merrimack – Of Entropy and Life Denial (Moribund)
This French band caught my attention when I wrote for Under the Volcano. This sophomore studio album is surprisingly well-produced, and the songs are very complex without being pretentious.
Darkthrone – Transylvanian Hunger (Peaceville)
Perhaps the drone-y-est of the Norwegian black metal bands. The opening riff of the opening title track was enough to hook me, leaving me completely spellbound. The production is absolutely filthy, which adds a lot to the overall atmosphere.
Havohej – Dethrone the Son of God (Candlelight)
If you haven’t noticed yet, “Havohej” is “Jehovah” spelled backwards. This blasphemous one-man band hails from Connecticut and is to black metal what Poison Idea was to hardcore. The songs are short, to the point, and nasty as a football player on a ‘roid rage. “Nazarene Decomposing” almost sounds like “Gladiator” by The Jesus Lizard.
Ildjarn – Det Frysende Nordariket (Norse League/Napalm)
This Norwegian one-man band reminds me a lot of Negative Approach for some reason. The songs are short, with the quick kick-snare beat of early hardcore propelling the music instead of double-bass metal drumming. The raw, lo-fi production adds to the hardcore sound.
Immortal – Pure Holocaust (Osmose)
The singer sound like Popeye and the drummer is incredibly fast, like Guinness Book of World Records fast, but consistently on-time and tight. The closing title track references the “Imperial March” from Star Wars. Really!
Ulver – Nattens Madrigal – Aatte Hymne til Ulven i Manden (Century)
Ulver has since evolved into a melodic electronic band, but at this stage in its career, it seemed to be determined to create the ugliest, nastiest black metal album possible. Believe it or not, the vocalist actually has a very pleasant singing voice.
Gromm – Happiness – It’s When You Are Dead (Blackmetal.com)
A Ukrainian black metal band with a sense of humor? Yup. Listen to “Chop by Death” and tell me you don’t hear the cynical sneer oozing out of the speakers.
