METAL TOP 15

As black as Metal

Most seminal black metal albums

The winter is a very special season. Lifelessness, darkness and frost put us in a specific, melancholic mood. This atmosphere is perfectly reflected in one of the most outstanding and hermetic music generes, in black metal. This music is an ideal soundtrack for long, contemplative, winter evenings. However, besides this most popular kind of black metal, this music has many other faces. Below, you can find a chronological list of the most seminal albums in this genre. Still, I'm aware that it isn't complete and it's lacking some big names but it's just pointless to create an endless list which almost nobody would be able to go through.

VENOM – Black Metal (1982)
Although musically this album doesn't have a lot to do with what we today understand as “black metal”, it is definitely one of the most seminal records in this genre. Raw, unpolished sound; raspy vocals and (pseudo) satanic lyrics laid the foundations for this most peculiar metal substyle. It's really hard to find any black metal band which denies being inspired by VENOM. Well, even the term “black metal”, as you can see, was coined by this trio from Newcastle. However strange it all may seem in the context of many “true” black metal bands, you should take it into account that this record was released in 1982 and, indubitably, it was a huge breakthrough thing! At the same time, it was only the beginning of the musical phenomenon called black metal.

CELTIC FROST – To Mega Therion (1985)
When it comes to the so-called first wave of black metal, it would be a mortal sin not to mention CELTIC FROST. These guys with their album “To Mega Therion” took a great step forward in the history of this genre. Although, musically, the difference between the then black and thrash/heavy metal was still barely noticeable, there was something distinctive in this album. An atmosphere of anxiety, something strange and omnious... Well, it's hard to express, but when you listen to this masterpiece, I'm sure, you will grasp what I mean.

BATHORY - Under the Sign of the Black Mark (1987)
This record, released in 1987, became a great inspiration for many subsequent black metal bands. The raw sound achieved by Quorthon on this album has undoubtedly influenced (and still influences) the whole range of so-called “true” hordes. Well, today, high-pitched, heavy distorted guitars became almost a trademark of this genre. Musically, this album is an harbinger of the new wave of black metal. Fast-paced drumming, croaking vocals, simple and really omnious riffs did away with the tradition of heavy metal, which was the great part of the VENOM style, for instance.

SARCOFAGO – I.N.R.I (1987)
Total agression, intensity and the lack of compromise. There is no place for any melodies here, there is no time to rest, no time for reflection.This record is pure blashphemy, a punch in your face! No more words are needed.





SAMAEL – Blood Ritual (1992)
SAMEL is a band which has created its own type of black metal. In comparison to Norwegian groups, the Swiss presented a quite different school of playing. Different type of riffs, slower tempos and clearer sound. „Blood Ritual” reflects what this band had been about in that period, before they changed their style.




IMMORTAL – Pure Holocaust (1993)
Really, you can feel cold when listening to this album. Demonaz and Abbath created an amazing atmosphere of rawness, agression, and darkness. Listening to this record is an experience which can be compared to straying in the woods in the winter night.





EMPEROR - In the Nightside Eclipse (1994)
This record is a mixture of real darkness, agression and some kind of epicness. You have here totally raw and piercing screams of Ihsahn. Rawness and agression is also noticeable in the fast drumming and the rough sound. On the other hand, there is a sense of melody in the riffs which are often, additionally, stressed with the use of synthesizer.




MAYHEM - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994)
This is one of the most recognizable black metal albums. And it's only related to all the controversial cricumstances under which the album was composed, recorded and released, but also to the music presented on this record. Long, almost hypnotizing compositions consisting of instense, consistent Hellhammer's drumming and fast and really sinister riffs has marked a new chapter in the history of this genre. But this album wouldn't be complete if Attila Csihar hadn't performed vocals on this record. His almost grotesque voice determined the character of the music presented on this album. To put it briefly, this record is a real milestone in black metal.

DARKTHRONE - Transilvanian Hunger (1994)
Black metal in the purest form. Sordidness, obscurity and simplicity. But it shouldn't be considered as a fault by any means. This album has everything a black metal album should have. Haunting melodies, constant drumming and croaking vocals - this is the essence of so-called true black metal. This album is indubitably an indicator of the style!




BURZUM - Filosofem (1996)
Varg Vikernes went for a totally minimalistic approach on this record. I think that it's enough to mention that he purposely decided to use a headset instead of a microphone and resigned from using a real guitar amplifier while recording this album. Well, probably this record sounds like shit for many, but I have to admit that, in some sense, there is something appealing in it. When it comes to the music itself, Vikernes has created an eerie athmosphere of total desolation and melancholy. This album is definitely one of the most outstanding ones in the genre.

SATYRICON - Nemesis Divina (1996)
A huge step in the history of black metal. Complexity and epicness – these two features perfectly describe this work. A multitude of epic riffs arranged in a well thought-out way along with perfect drumming of Frost constitute the essence of this record. Everything is topped with the characteristic voice of Satyr and some intriguing keyboard parts. A really unique work. „This is Armageddon!”



CRADLE OF FILTH - Cruelty and the Beast (1998)
CRADLE OF FILTH is one of those bands to which you cannot remain indifferent. For many it shouldn't be call black metal in any case . Yet, there is still a strong group of fans for whom this band is a definition of this genre. Well, I don't wish to dwell on this issue here. Objectively, this album is very often enumerated among important black metal records. In fact, you can find here some elements typical for black metal. However, the character of this album is rather eclectic. Orchestral, symphonic elements are often interwoven even with some heavy metal riffs. Add famale, gothic vocals to it, and of course, the characteristic voice of Dani Filth. This is what CRADLE OF FILTH is about.

DIMMU BORGIR - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (2001)
Here, the situtation is very similar to the situation of CRADLE OF FILTH, especially in the case of their newest records. For some black metal fans, this album has nothing to do with this genre. Nevertheless, it's worth mentioning, since still many people believe that this record presents a new dimension of black metal. The deviation from a typical idea of black metal is seen in the approach of musicians. The sound is clear and of a high quality, there is no place for rawness here. What is more, an actual orchestra took part in the process of recording this album. All these things were unthinkable in the mid nineties, when the Norwegian black metal scene was at its peak. Musically, despite the fact that DIMMU BORGIR incorporeted many elementes from different metal substyles, some typical black metal parts are still visible. No matter whether it's still black metal or not, this is a very important record.

SHINING – IV/The Eerie Cold (2005)
Despite many innovative elements in this album, it is definitely still real black metal.All these acoustic passages and the parts characteristic for melancholic rock make this music even more depressive. You can't escape the feeling of desolation when listening this album. It's a real suicidal black metal, a perfect soundtrack to suicide!




KEEP OF KALESSIN – Kolossus (2008)
Well, I'm not sure if I should put this album here. First of all, it's rather early to be speculating about the influence of this album on the whole genre. Secondly, I suppose that black metal purists reject this work. Nevertheless, at present, it seems that this record is an indicator of a new direction in black metal or at least something new and fresh. They have put a new, progressive face to black metal.