Personally speaking after a lull in interest in underground metal for a few years in the last decade I find myself completely captivated again by black metal. I had more or less turned old fart and was resigned to loving only the 80's and 90's classics and disregarded anything new.
In the last couple of years though I have opened my ears up to some of the contemporary BM scenes and have been delighted to discover that the old spirit is alive and well. For sure classic 2nd wave BM is an overriding influence and that is never shied away from. But these modern day bands operating 20 or 25 years later from the originals have enough about them to command their own style, scene and respect.
There's so much out there its impossible to keep up but here are some of my current favourite bands.
FRANCE: necropole, caverne, cenotaphe, norman shores
FINLAND: vargav, white death, warmoon Lord, old sorcery, kalmankantaja, mooncitadel.... the list is endless with Finland.......hundreds of good bands
POLAND: evilfeast , wartodd
SWEDEN: countless bands revolving around Sir N ( svartrit) and swartadaupuz(beketh nexehmu)
Active labels aswell and a lot of old stuff re released.
Ancient records(swe), werewolf records(fin),ancient dead(pol) for eg.
Lots of other scenes to explore such as Portugal, Netherlands, Balkans.
Any thoughts or contributions lads/ladies?
Deathspell Omega and Blut Aus Nord have really pushed the boat out resulting in bands like Thantifaxath, Dodecahedron etc. The likes of Mammaleek, Cultes des Ghoules and Jute Gyte have their completely own mental thing going. Black metal is better now than it ever was. Mgla have taken that Burzum Filosofem sound that was aped so badly by so many bands and actually modernised it and they have some serious technical chops.
Black Metal Matters
Kind of on an opposite trajectory the past few years but would have very much been in agreement until then. No doubt there's a Hell of a lot of activity and maybe some innovation but the scene seems completely flooded to me to the point that I have almost no interest in listening to new stuff with the exception of a small handful of bands like Mooncitadel, Gjendød and Dold Vorde Ens Navn off the top of my head. It's more an issue of my own present jadedness than anything but I'm enjoying digging into the 90s stuff a lot more.
For a long time I was only aware of the bigger names; Emperor, Mayhem, Satyricon etc.
It's only since last September/October I've started going through more and more stuff.
That Thomas Eriksen podcast has me going through the catalogues of who he meets .
I still love the Emperor , Darkthrone, Satyricon stuff but for newer stuff it's all about Mork, Gjendød and Kjeld st the moment got me.
It has the song writing quality to fit with the 90s without that blast for the sake of it style.
In relation to the bands from France and Finland it's seems that the same people seem to be responsible for a lot of the acts.
I find there's always loads of any style to listen to at any given time.
I'm probably in the minority but Black Metal for me hasn't had decent output since the naughties and I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for saying so. I think bands focus way too much on the style over substance and have forgotten what Black Metal is about which is epic songwriting. I listen to such an eclectic mix of music genres yet I cannot get on board with modern black metal.
And there's me in the Now Playing thread mentioning Black metal purists :laugh:
Surely 00s black metal is modern black metal? What stuff from that era are you specifically into? I think there are always a few cool bands operating and doing something that is their own but I agree that there seems to be a lot of Instagram BM about which seems to miss the point of the whole thing to a degree. Another factor that puts me off, and possibly it's a foolish reason, is how every band uses the same few artists to design their albums, or more so seem to use the same exact imagery. It's a bit mind numbing to look at and gives a possibly false impression of musical interchangeability. It all comes back to over-saturation I think, which is pushing me in other directions.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 11, 2021, 10:45:42 PM
Surely 00s black metal is modern black metal? What stuff from that era are you specifically into? I think there are always a few cool bands operating and doing something that is their own but I agree that there seems to be a lot of Instagram BM about which seems to miss the point of the whole thing to a degree. Another factor that puts me off, and possibly it's a foolish reason, is how every band uses the same few artists to design their albums, or more so seem to use the same exact imagery. It's a bit mind numbing to look at and gives a possibly false impression of musical interchangeability. It all comes back to over-saturation I think, which is pushing me in other directions.
00s ended 10 years ago :laugh: but I get you.
Modern Black metal is missing that undeniable atmosphere and individuality from earlier outputs. Black metal has a blue print but De mysterious sounds so different from the likes of a Pure Holocaust or Filosfem.
I'm into a lot of Marduk, Dark Funeral, 1349 etc and those bands had the same ethos in that the music was incredible, had the same style with slightly better production. However its not the production that annoys me about modern BM, it just seems that a lot of modern black metal bands are attempting to be Burzum rather than forge their own direction. The slow plodding lo-fi tracks have only ever sounded good with Varg and Burzum composing same.
I'd disagree with your last point when I consider some of the brilliant work by Nocternity and Gjendød in that slow plodding style. That approach is some of the most effective for me.
This morning on the way to work I stuck on Rahu's self titled album. It's grand. It held my attention for three or four songs and then I lost interest in it. I switched over to Mysteries of the Nocturnal Forest by Evilfeast instead. This is much more like it. There is nothing remotely original to be found but GrimSpirit is a master at capturing that raw, epic 90s style. Perfect music for this harsh, freezing cunt of a February.
Quote from: Blackout on February 11, 2021, 11:02:06 PM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 11, 2021, 10:45:42 PM
Surely 00s black metal is modern black metal? What stuff from that era are you specifically into? I think there are always a few cool bands operating and doing something that is their own but I agree that there seems to be a lot of Instagram BM about which seems to miss the point of the whole thing to a degree. Another factor that puts me off, and possibly it's a foolish reason, is how every band uses the same few artists to design their albums, or more so seem to use the same exact imagery. It's a bit mind numbing to look at and gives a possibly false impression of musical interchangeability. It all comes back to over-saturation I think, which is pushing me in other directions.
00s ended 10 years ago :laugh: but I get you.
Modern Black metal is missing that undeniable atmosphere and individuality from earlier outputs. Black metal has a blue print but De mysterious sounds so different from the likes of a Pure Holocaust or Filosfem.
I'm into a lot of Marduk, Dark Funeral, 1349 etc and those bands had the same ethos in that the music was incredible, had the same style with slightly better production. However its not the production that annoys me about modern BM, it just seems that a lot of modern black metal bands are attempting to be Burzum rather than forge their own direction. The slow plodding lo-fi tracks have only ever sounded good with Varg and Burzum composing same.
Just out of interest, have you listened to many of the bands in the original post? Most, if not all, are better than Dark Funeral, 1349 and later Satyricon imo.
Quote from: open face surgery on February 12, 2021, 10:35:42 AM
Quote from: Blackout on February 11, 2021, 11:02:06 PM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 11, 2021, 10:45:42 PM
Surely 00s black metal is modern black metal? What stuff from that era are you specifically into? I think there are always a few cool bands operating and doing something that is their own but I agree that there seems to be a lot of Instagram BM about which seems to miss the point of the whole thing to a degree. Another factor that puts me off, and possibly it's a foolish reason, is how every band uses the same few artists to design their albums, or more so seem to use the same exact imagery. It's a bit mind numbing to look at and gives a possibly false impression of musical interchangeability. It all comes back to over-saturation I think, which is pushing me in other directions.
00s ended 10 years ago :laugh: but I get you.
Modern Black metal is missing that undeniable atmosphere and individuality from earlier outputs. Black metal has a blue print but De mysterious sounds so different from the likes of a Pure Holocaust or Filosfem.
I'm into a lot of Marduk, Dark Funeral, 1349 etc and those bands had the same ethos in that the music was incredible, had the same style with slightly better production. However its not the production that annoys me about modern BM, it just seems that a lot of modern black metal bands are attempting to be Burzum rather than forge their own direction. The slow plodding lo-fi tracks have only ever sounded good with Varg and Burzum composing same.
Just out of interest, have you listened to many of the bands in the original post? Most, if not all, are better than Dark Funeral, 1349 and later Satyricon imo.
Most black metal is better than 1349 tbf
Quote from: lifeeternal on February 12, 2021, 10:38:28 AM
Quote from: open face surgery on February 12, 2021, 10:35:42 AM
Quote from: Blackout on February 11, 2021, 11:02:06 PM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 11, 2021, 10:45:42 PM
Surely 00s black metal is modern black metal? What stuff from that era are you specifically into? I think there are always a few cool bands operating and doing something that is their own but I agree that there seems to be a lot of Instagram BM about which seems to miss the point of the whole thing to a degree. Another factor that puts me off, and possibly it's a foolish reason, is how every band uses the same few artists to design their albums, or more so seem to use the same exact imagery. It's a bit mind numbing to look at and gives a possibly false impression of musical interchangeability. It all comes back to over-saturation I think, which is pushing me in other directions.
00s ended 10 years ago :laugh: but I get you.
Modern Black metal is missing that undeniable atmosphere and individuality from earlier outputs. Black metal has a blue print but De mysterious sounds so different from the likes of a Pure Holocaust or Filosfem.
I'm into a lot of Marduk, Dark Funeral, 1349 etc and those bands had the same ethos in that the music was incredible, had the same style with slightly better production. However its not the production that annoys me about modern BM, it just seems that a lot of modern black metal bands are attempting to be Burzum rather than forge their own direction. The slow plodding lo-fi tracks have only ever sounded good with Varg and Burzum composing same.
Just out of interest, have you listened to many of the bands in the original post? Most, if not all, are better than Dark Funeral, 1349 and later Satyricon imo.
Most black metal is better than 1349 tbf
Incredibly succinct take there mate.
Quote from: open face surgery on February 12, 2021, 10:35:42 AM
Quote from: Blackout on February 11, 2021, 11:02:06 PM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 11, 2021, 10:45:42 PM
Surely 00s black metal is modern black metal? What stuff from that era are you specifically into? I think there are always a few cool bands operating and doing something that is their own but I agree that there seems to be a lot of Instagram BM about which seems to miss the point of the whole thing to a degree. Another factor that puts me off, and possibly it's a foolish reason, is how every band uses the same few artists to design their albums, or more so seem to use the same exact imagery. It's a bit mind numbing to look at and gives a possibly false impression of musical interchangeability. It all comes back to over-saturation I think, which is pushing me in other directions.
00s ended 10 years ago :laugh: but I get you.
Modern Black metal is missing that undeniable atmosphere and individuality from earlier outputs. Black metal has a blue print but De mysterious sounds so different from the likes of a Pure Holocaust or Filosfem.
I'm into a lot of Marduk, Dark Funeral, 1349 etc and those bands had the same ethos in that the music was incredible, had the same style with slightly better production. However its not the production that annoys me about modern BM, it just seems that a lot of modern black metal bands are attempting to be Burzum rather than forge their own direction. The slow plodding lo-fi tracks have only ever sounded good with Varg and Burzum composing same.
Just out of interest, have you listened to many of the bands in the original post? Most, if not all, are better than Dark Funeral, 1349 and later Satyricon imo.
Yes I have listened to a few of them. I try to listen to most pf the modern black metal that I can get my hands on. It just doesn't appeal to me bar the odd track.
What you say doesn't stack up for me and the constant mention of if being modern seems like a barrier. Used to see that opinion being bandied around more often and didn't make sense to me then either.
The beauty is the subjectivity, I suppose.
Quote from: open face surgery on February 12, 2021, 12:29:38 PM
What you say doesn't stack up for me and the constant mention of if being modern seems like a barrier. Used to see that opinion being bandied around more often and didn't make sense to me then either.
The beauty is the subjectivity, I suppose.
Newer black metal released in the last few years hasn't really appealled to me. Is that clear enough? For example I've gotten into a lot of technical death metal in the last few years because it appeals to me.
Indeed it is subjective.
Perfectly clear. You voiced an opinion which I questioned given your explanation. Chill out and go back to your tech death. :laugh:
The only thing "modern" about the really good BM that has come out in recent years is its calendar release date.
Enjoying this thread, but don't have a lot to add, other than being pleasantly surprised to see Jute Gyte mentioned. If Disco Volante fits into the "backwards evolving" thread, then Jute Gyte is definitely a contender also!
Quote from: open face surgery on February 12, 2021, 01:54:35 PM
Perfectly clear. You voiced an opinion which I questioned given your explanation. Chill out and go back to your tech death. :laugh:
You seemed to have a hard time stacking it up so hopefully its now stacked neatly.
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on February 12, 2021, 01:58:38 PM
The only thing "modern" about the really good BM that has come out in recent years is its calendar release date.
Therein lay my confusion.
So we are pretending there has been no change in style and trends within black metal over the last couple of decades? Cool.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 12, 2021, 06:32:04 PM
So we are pretending there has been no change in style and trends within black metal over the last couple of decades? Cool.
Ah man I was hoping you'd let them be :laugh:
Some people love being argumentative for the sake of it.
Ungfell - Mythen, Mären, Pestilenz and Hexenbrett - Zweite Beschwörung: Ein Kind zu töten are two modern black metal albums which have their own individuality whilst still being able to hark back to the "heyday" of Black Metal.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 12, 2021, 06:32:04 PM
So we are pretending there has been no change in style and trends within black metal over the last couple of decades? Cool.
No, but "modern BM" isn't a label that in any way captures anything musically meaningful shared by the wide range of BM that has been released recently, apart from the date of its release. There is plenty of recent BM, of both the lo-fi and high production varieties, that is very much bristling with its own personality and freshness. Sure, you know better than I what's out there, but Thantifaxath, for example, since they've been mentioned; pristine performances, yet raw and very unique. Or Mooncitadel, who I've only heard in the last two weeks, really hearkening back to the classic sound, but creating something that demands to be listened to in its own right, certainly not as a rehash.
Quite a few other bands in here I'm going to check out too. Nice to get some metal discussion going anyway, and sure the disagreements of perspective only make it more interesting and result in even more recommendations!
Quote from: Blackout on February 12, 2021, 06:33:51 PM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 12, 2021, 06:32:04 PM
So we are pretending there has been no change in style and trends within black metal over the last couple of decades? Cool.
Ah man I was hoping you'd let them be :laugh:
Some people love being argumentative for the sake of it.
We've established you've no horse in this race. Don't piggyback on someone else's.
Andy: All the bands listed in the first post are variations of the same theme and purely revisionist bands. As good as they are. Your statement is a different issue, obviously not the case nor was it wilfully implied, as you presumably know, but did prove to be something for Blackout to latch onto as a last breath.
I'm in over my head!
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 12, 2021, 08:20:32 AM
This morning on the way to work I stuck on Rahu's self titled album. It's grand. It held my attention for three or four songs and then I lost interest in it. I switched over to Mysteries of the Nocturnal Forest by Evilfeast instead. This is much more like it. There is nothing remotely original to be found but GrimSpirit is a master at capturing that raw, epic 90s style. Perfect music for this harsh, freezing cunt of a February.
Which Evilfeast album is the best one to start with?
I started with their last one, Elegies of the Stellar Winds. It's savage. If you like it then the rest will appeal to you too, as consistency reigns across his catalogue.
Great . Thank you.
I never believed the whole "true kvlt" bs before but this thread makes me think different :laugh:
Yes as open face surgery points out, I guess the stuff that floats my boat the most is revisionist and has a lot in common with the classic 90s style. Its probably the point I was trying to make, that what I regard as real BM in sound and spirit is flying at the moment.
When I look back at the history of BM to the early 90s I see the early Norwegian stuff, Finnish, Greek etc and then in the mid 90s the focus moving to Poland, France etc. I'm in to all that up to the Polish and Ukrainian scene of the mid 2000s. Then you had a bit of development with the Deathspell Omega and all that NoEvDia stuff and thats where I started to lose touch, in hindsight. You then had the Trondheim scene with Mare etc being the focus for creativity within BM but I never felt that scene either. Then all those hooded, occult, Eastern themed bands came along like Cult of Fire who I was into for a while but to be honest it wore thin quickly too. But I feel there's now another type of band coming through, with two or three decades of separation from the originals but paying homage to it and doing it in a style equal to or even surpassing that of the initial influence. To be fair a lot of these bands inhabit the fringes and would have associations with right wing whatever, so making them unacceptable to the majority, but again that's a true reflection of the 2nd wave spirit they are hailing.
Interesting summation and I'd be more or less in agreement even if I'm still a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff coming out. If I see a new project with countless releases or one dude in ten bands I immediately overlook it. I think I'm looking for excuses not to check out new bands these days and hoods and incense is another immediate pass for me. I think I just want something that possibly doesn't exist.
Theres so much stuff it's no point in trying to keep up. If I find a band or two I like I stick with that and expand to related projects if needed.
It is overwhelming when you step back and think of how much stuff that jerks coming out. The whole iceberg of metal thing.
Obviously there is a lot of shite and at the end of the day nobody forces me to investigate these bands. Having said that I find now I'm going to have to fully check out Evilfeast and Mooncitadel.
Black Metal is indeed in rude health but when is there time to fully get through it all. Arrrgh
And death metal too.
You won't get through it all. Forget about it and relax.
Forget about death metal too. Don't waste your time. Apart from the first couple Morbid Angel.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 12, 2021, 08:31:34 PM
I'm in over my head!
:laugh: I'm in over my head just reading this thread!
I'm listening to bands these days that are labelled "atmospheric black metal" etc and they don't seem what I'd stretch to call BM at all, just decent fecking metal. While bands like Pan-Amerikan Native Front, Ifernach, Maquahuit, Horn, Havukruunu, Bezwering, Vual etc just float my boat, without worrying about which BM cubby hole they slot into exactly. Genre labels are just a pain in the head really at times.
Also couldn't help but smile that the original post is so upbeat, so not such a "Grim Reality" afterall :P
Quote from: Grim Reality on February 12, 2021, 10:09:53 PM
You won't get through it all. Forget about it and relax.
Forget about death metal too. Don't waste your time. Apart from the first couple Morbid Angel.
My heart is big enough for the 2 styles.
Grim Reality is an Hour of 13 song!
Quote from: Grim Reality on February 12, 2021, 09:07:00 PM
Yes as open face surgery points out, I guess the stuff that floats my boat the most is revisionist and has a lot in common with the classic 90s style. Its probably the point I was trying to make, that what I regard as real BM in sound and spirit is flying at the moment.
I agree and may have got slightly side tracked in defending that ideal.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 11, 2021, 05:07:04 PM
Kind of on an opposite trajectory the past few years but would have very much been in agreement until then. No doubt there's a Hell of a lot of activity................... but I'm enjoying digging into the 90s stuff a lot more.
Sorry to edit your post in such a way but I think your point remains intact. In tandem with a renewed interest in current day bands I too am going back to the well of the 90s and getting into bands I missed out on or were just too obscure to come across until recent times.
Eg
The wider Polish scene with NORTH, SACRILEGIUM, NEASIT, THUNDERBOLT, ARKONA
French stuff like OSCULUM INFAME, SEIGNEUR VOLAND
Norwegians MANES, FORGOTTEN WOODS and bands like ULVER who while big I never gave a fair shot before.
Point being theres countless underground gems to be discovered in the 90s still and you could very well leave anything modern well alone and not miss out.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 12, 2021, 10:22:10 PM
Grim Reality is an Hour of 13 song!
And a very good one at that from a modern classic of an album!
Quote from: Grim Reality on February 12, 2021, 09:47:33 PM
Theres so much stuff it's no point in trying to keep up. If I find a band or two I like I stick with that and expand to related projects if needed.
This is me in a nutshell.
Very true!
Have you given Manii a spin? I think they are class, particularly the last album. Picking up where Under Ein Blodred Mane (or however you spell it) left off.
I'm not against new stuff by any means and if I hear something that catches my ear then I'm in, no question. There is just so much great stuff to explore from de ould days to keep me busy. It's a good time for reissues lately with enticing vinyl editions of old obscurities and outright classics coming out all the time. One that really blew my head off recently is Diabolical Masquerade- Ravendusk in My Heart. Not sure it would have been for me a few years ago but it just hit the spot so nicely.
I've listened to Manii Kollaps a few times on Spotify and very much enjoyed it. Also an EP skuggelheim (sp?) after it had some older stuff re recorded and it was great. Not often you say that! But I've not kept up more than that. Too busy filling my lugs with maanens natt :)
I was looking at the moon ciadel first release. I think it's the 2 demos.
It seems to be a compilation. Twice on the track list the word poem comes up. Are they poems put to music or is it somebody spitting out rhymes ?
https://youtu.be/ZvIrsh3uCZc
Another modern Polish band. Definite inspiration from traditional 90s black metal but in no way a homage act. Nature focused and natural sounding with those hard Eastern European vocals to offset the gentle acoustic passages. Top drawer stuff.
I've listened to them a couple of times but nothing sticks in the memory. I think I really wanted to lie it because of the great artwork but it sort of passed me by. I'll have to go back to it.
Probably a controversial opinion but overly long tracks in any metal genre are never appealing to me.
Best BM album art ever is Paysage D'Hiver - Die Festung from 2009.....
Anyone who disagrees with me is a big smelly fart smoker. :abbath:
Quote from: Blackout on February 24, 2021, 09:23:10 AM
Probably a controversial opinion but overly long tracks in any metal genre are never appealing to me.
I completely agree, although a good length instrumental is grand. I find if an album has really long songs I lose interest. Not all the time mind, depends on band and style. I prefer songs to the point
Fenriz presents....
https://youtu.be/7PxFjcuLu50
Old skool BM.....
Wyrd are back in great form. Recommended if you like your BM slow and spacious.
Of course if you don't know Wyrd the debut album Heathen from 2001 is mandatory. Its a 51 minute long track though so a few of the boys above might skip it !!
https://youtu.be/5EKPYyIqaz4
One man DSBM band Suizid....
https://youtu.be/ypMY1ZgE2zg
Top top class....
The Hulder release Godslattering.... is absolutely fantastic.
I’m in the middle of all the Dayal Patterson books and it seems nearly all the bands covered have a different definition of what black metal is.
That’s what I really love about this type of music. It’s a different thing for so many different people.
That’s true of all music but the musicians and fans are on another level of belief in what constitutes as black metal for them.
I stated previously that I’m far from an expert on this genre but to me it’s such an exciting and rewarding path to explore delving further and further into it.
A few months ago if I read a tag line in a review saying dungeon synth black metal I’d have said go on and shite. I’ll be running around the woods supping cats blood next. :abbath:
Quote from: Grim Reality on February 26, 2021, 09:29:33 PM
Wyrd are back in great form. Recommended if you like your BM slow and spacious.
Of course if you don't know Wyrd the debut album Heathen from 2001 is mandatory. Its a 51 minute long track though so a few of the boys above might skip it !!
https://youtu.be/5EKPYyIqaz4
I must give it a listen. I have enjoyed nearly everything he has released.
Happy Black Metal..... :abbath:
https://youtu.be/mUhjbOwfzSU
https://dusktone.bandcamp.com/album/englemakersken-single
This sounds promising. Nocleansinging had it up today.
Great slavonic pagan BM from Poland. Same dude as Wedrujacy Wiatr.
This is the latest full length.
STWORZ
https://youtu.be/cohnnkTxnm4
https://youtu.be/uXnmJ9SAFTo
There is no Forgotten Woods thread, maybe I'll leave that to Grim Reality to get up and running, but my search led me back to this thread. So a little bit of thread necromancy is called for a I sit here listening to the first two albums, and Bryan Adams inspired EP 8)