Black Metal

Black Metal is a form of highly theatrical, dramatic, orchestrated metal that originated in Norway in the early nineties in reaction to the increasingly punk, street, non-theatrical bent of Death Metal. Black Metal Bands such as Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth integrate gloomy synthesizers, strings, and complex arrangements, sometimes going far enough to be called Progressive Metal. Mythology and religion are central to Black Metal, as most bands are vociferously anti-Christian, often grounding themselves in Nordic or Pagan beliefs. Early Black Metallers, Mayhem and Burzum, provided musical impetus, but also forever tainted the genre with their grotesque, sickening, and pitiful antics. Their story can be read in Michael Moynihan's excellent, thoughtful book, Lords of Chaos.

Similar Styles: Death Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal

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