You want good bm with atmosphere and not just tremolo fests with drums blasting their way?

Holy Death (Pol) - Apocalyptic War (Abraxas demo reissue) and Triumph of Evil Apocalyptic War is absolutely great, dark, almost cosmic at times, the bass also is a big part of the album. If you can't feel the atmosphere, you're lost to the cause.

Samael - Blood Ritual (they influenced a little Holy Death in their sound and mid-paced black metal but both are really different)

Sigh - Scorn Defeat

Beherit - Drawing Down the Moon just give it a try, really primitive

Besides Beherit, they pretty much all have a good production, not the best but good enough so you hear everything without problems. Also, they atmosphere isn't solely based on a raw sound but on the production itself, the riffs and all.

I really like early Dimmu Borgir (For All Tid) and Satyricon (Satyricon/Yggdrasil Split), but I just can't listen to it with such poor quality. Does anyone have suggestions for similar sounding releases with good quality?

Also, suggestions for bands like Immortal's "Sons of Northern Darkness" that have that really thrashy feel to it?

I think I know why I have a hard time black metal so much. I often listen to it really loud over my headphones, where I focus more on the noise then the atmosphere. Black Metal's atmosphere seems a lot more lively if you listen to it lower. Anybody else experience this?

Early Dimmu with better production?.. I dunno, maybe Limbonic Art?

Hey guys I'm looking for something akin to Antestor's song "Depressed" off their album Martyrium. Something not too harsh, with a distinct atmosphere of sadness and grief. It doesn't need any kind of keyboards, but I wouldn't mind if it did.

I'm really enjoying Abruptum's In umbra malitae ambulabo, in aeternum in triumpho tenebrarum, and I'm just curious as to what other albums I could get that were in this same style.

I'm looking for some albums that are similar to Burzum's Hvis Lyset Tar Oss but with a better vocalist. Varg's screaming is definitely not the best. Preferably bands without lyrics about satanism.

I'm also looking for albums that are similar to In the Nightside Eclipse by Emperor.

Okey, so this has just been bothering me lately.
The first riff of Kriegsmaschine's Throught The Eyes Of The Blind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsroRBdQYfI)
reminds me very much of another riff, but I can't seem to put it in place. I remember how the riff goes, but I can't connect it to any song or artist. I would be very greatful for any help, as I am about to go crazy.

Besides what Terrorbld reccommended, you should also try Woods of Ypres, who can remind of Agalloch.
I would also check out Ulver's Bergtatt, it's not like the usual heavy distorted bm from the 90's.

Mgla and Kriegsmaschine are great bands I guess could remind of Burzum. Definately worth to check out atleast

Hmm, you could try Gris' Il Etait Une Foret album. The absolute best DBM out there. There's definite Hvis influence and the vocals are the most anguish-filled I've ever heard.

i'm looking for atmospheric black metal like thy serpent's Forests of Witchery

Thank you very much

Black metal has always been unfamiliar territory to me. My knowledge does not stretch much further than the first wave, and the well-known Norwegian and Swedish bands. I rarely fall for black metal but some manage to do it for me, Infinity, Mayhem, Marduk and 1349 being some of them. I want it to be fast and have good production (you can clearly see I'm not a black metalist). Atmosphere and keyboards are welcome too, Limbonic Art do that well.

Any recommendations? I feel like I'm missing out on an entire genre here.

I got Cthonic Chronicles first. You should too. It's more guitar-centric, and it's a good way to get acquainted with Bal-Sagoth. And besides, his growling isn't as annoying on Cthonic.

I've posted two topics, and I was redirected twice, but this really is the place to ask the question.

As you've probably seen already, I'm looking for 1st Wave BM like Venom and Hellhammer, couldn't feel Bathory, but I am really interested in the very early stuff cause of the punk in it. So, any 1st wave bands I should check out?

I know you have metnioned Hellhammer but Celtic Frost maybe?

Well, not necessarily black metal or 1st wave for that matter, but...

Amebix's "Monolith" [1987] IMO sounds like a continued "Bathory". Speedier, dirty and raw, very Quorthon-like vocals.. and it sounds kinda early black metal for a crust punk band.

But you don't enjoy Bathory as much, so..

Definitely try some of the crazy 80s hybrids from South America if you haven't already. Sarcofago you just may adore...fast, unhinged, crazy, rabid! Holocausto is pretty good...I dismissed them for a long time but after listening to the album on a long car trip the other week I came to the conclusion that it's really intense, violent and great. Vulcano is still my favourite of the Brazilian bands, though.

Also try Bulldozer from Italy, particularly their first two albums..if you like Venom, you will probably adore the first one...the second is a little tighter and more diverse with some damn sexy riffs. Poison (Ger) is also a must.

Newer bands like Warhammer and Apocalyptic Raids might interest you. They do Hellhammer impersonations, but really well at that.

You know I honestly used to think these bands were doing pretty good worship-music, especially Apokalyptic Raids, but then I got my first (their newest) Gravewurm album in the mail last week. Followed by "Dark Souls of Hell" this week. Not only am I impressed, but I've never heard such genuine and natural sounding C. Frost/Hellhammer worship. Those killer stomping riffs coupled with the impossibly crunchy tone is just devastating.

hope its not a problem to ask 2 different styles recommendations on the same post

First I am looking for bm bands that have a thrash & punk sound like Aura Noir, new Darkthrone, Sarke
Sarke is a perfect example of what i am looking for and if there are bm bands out there which add riffs from more traditional metal genres, then bonus points.


My other request is "electronic" stuff like DHG , quite broad on what i am looking for since DHG is the only band i know , so hoping to hear some good bands with either an industrial or ambient vein

Check out Von not sure if they are considered 1st wave though since their demo was released at 91 or 92
They had a minimalistic repetitive sound which reminds me the simplicity of punk

Try the following: Abigor: "Fractal Possession", Blacklodge: both full-lenghts and Mysticum: "In the Streams of Inferno".

[sloppy, incoherent post]If he wants something closer to venom, then Vulcano would be a better choice. besides, what's the harm in giving Bloody Vengance a few thousand listens? Well, I guess his neck may not recover from the banging.

Someone mentioned Amebix and said something about it being similar to Bathory. I agree that they're quite good and Arise is a classic peice of Crust/Speed metal. However, it's really nothing like Bathory. More like Venom viewed through a crust punk filter.

I suggest you check out some 80's metal punk. Specifically, The Plasmatics and The Mentors. While they probably didn't have much influence on venom, they both would probably be something that any die-hard venom fan would enjoy.

If you're willing to go outside the realm of black metal to find some Hellhammer/Celtic Frost worshipping bands, then I'd suggest you check out Winter. Their full length is really fucking heavy Hellhammer worship and little more, but it's damn good. Also, check out Slaughter. Slaughter is a canadian proto-death metal band who's members have surely spent a fair deal of time listening to Hellhammer bootleg's. Slaughter's first full length (Strappado) is amasing, primitve and violent as hell hellammher influenced proto-death (without the doom feeling, of course). it's my favorite death metal album. sewriously, I spent a whole day a few weeks ago just listening to that damn album. it's so heavy.

Fianally, I'd suggest you check out either of Samael's first two albums, particularly Worship Him. All of Samael's first four albums are great, but the first two are the only one's that have obvious hellhammer influence to them. Samael is worth listening to just for the drumming alone. [/sloppy, incoherent post]

I'm looking for slow, heavy and evil sounding black metal, almost in the doom direction. Similar to Clandestine Blaze, I only have a split with them (The one with Blasphemous Lust etc.) and I fucking love it. It's one 'sub genre' I haven't really explored yet. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Also looking for Blasphemy/Beherit worship, as I haven't really found anything worth listening to that sounds like them. I'm sure they're out there, I just haven't found 'em.

And something along the lines of In The Nightside Eclipse - Emperor, evil sounding without overdoing the symphonic elements. ITNE without the shitty production would work

Finally, music similar to Abruptum's 'music'? I'm a fan of Evil Genius but the song that really sticks out is De Profundis Mors Vas Cousumet (featured on the Mayhem tribute album "A tribute to the black emperor"). Anything similar to that?
Obscuritatem Advoco Amplectere Me is also a fantastic album, so that kind of sounds would be nice.

If you know sometihng that's not quite what I'm asking for, but a bit similar, do tell. I'm looking for as much quality black metal as I can find, and these are the sub genres I haven't explored too much (other than the "famous" band).

Thanks.

I haven't heard any Clandestine Blaze as of yet (may have to change that today) but if you're looking for doomy, heavy, and evil sounding black metal I would have to kindly point you in the direction of Barathrum. I would suggest starting with "Eerie" but you honestly can't miss with any of the first four records.



For quality Blasphemy worship check out Proclamation and Blasphemophager. I haven't actually heard Proclamation yet, but its obvious even from the band picture who their main inspiration was. The people at NWN seem to love those guys, and when it comes to Blasphemy-related issues NWN! seems to be the benchmark. Blasphemophager I can vouch for. They play some fucking awesome Blasphemy/Sarcofago worship, occasionally slowing it down for some Hellhammer-esque moments as well. You can probably find their full-length cheap online. If you want more stuff in this vein you could probably shoot Nolan_B a message and get a huge list of bands.



I'm going to file this rec under the "if you know something that's not qutie what I'm asking for" clause. Have you listened to Ceremonial Castings? I haven't heard all of their stuff yet, but the strong riffs and songcraft is there, but the keyboards (after first album) may be used even more excessively than Emperor. The only difference is I really, really enjoy these.

Not quite what I was looking for, on the other hand it's a hidden gem that's passed me. I'll be sure to check more of these guys stuff out.


Damn, I can't believe I've missed this. Fucking awesome stuff, thanks.

[/quote]
One band I've heard of but never actually bothered to listen to. I actually ordered some albums the other day.. should be here soon. I'll be checking them out in other words.

Youtube'd it and it's definitely promising though.

Thanks.

Some recommendations culled from this thread, all killer no filler:

• Anteus/Katharsis: split 7" (09), Katharsis' cut is dark, savage BM

• Buio Omega: Pandemonium Unleashed CD (04), nutso Italian BM, utterly committed

• Burzum: Filosofem CD (96), cascading waves of distorted drone and atmospheres

• Cenotaph: Thirteen Threnodies CD (94), pretty great blackened DM from Italy

• Clandestine Blaze: Deliverers of Faith CD (04), numbing BM from the bowels of Acheron

I was curious if Krieg's other albums are at all similar sounding as "The Black House"? I especially enjoy the more upbeat thrashy aspects to their sound ("Sickening Voices Without Speech" being my favorite track).

Someone please help me out on this one. i want what id like to refer to as 'geek black metal' yep thats right. black metal about fantasy, orcs, trolls, warriors, the works.

the closest to that which i listen to at the moment is burzum. hes got a few songs related to it. Im wondering of any other bands like that, with a giant tolkein, lovecraft, or howard influence?

Summoning's music is all about tolkein, one of the tracks on the latest album is claimed by the band to be sung in (lord of the rings) orc tongue, a first I believe, also Avathar (fin) are quite similar to Summoning,(some great song titles paint a good picture of the theme they are creating if you look them up). Nazgul (ita) I believe created their own tolkein themed world on their debut album, map and all!

Would not class any of these bands as "geeks" though.

thanks a lot dude. great help!

I'm looking for black metal in the lines of Immortal, Sycronomica and Draconis Infernum, but with a catch - without any Satanic/Anti-Christian lyrics. I know much of black metal has those but I'm sure there are also bands without. I like my metal with melodic elements, probably maybe with keyboards and a somewhat atmospheric feel to it.

Try Drama (RUS) "Winds Choir Opera", very underated band, total immortal worship and I believe their lyrics deal with winter etc, excellent album.

Try a lesser known band called Kinstrife & Blood if you enjoy Summoning.

Anybody know any black metal bands similar to Agrypnie?

Looking for some stuff similar to the covers kanwulf did on Black metal ist krieg, raw-ish, dirty sounding, and evil as fuck, and still has a rock and roll feel. also, anything similar to the song possessed by black fucking metal.

I've never been into much Black Metal, but I do love the 2 Immortal albums I have, At The Heart of Winter and Sons of Northern Darkness.

Can anyone recommend any other bands that have a similar sound to those 2 albums, or what other Immortal albums I should check out?

I'm looking for bands that play in the vein of Svartahrid. A great sense of melody, while retaining that "black"ness. (some obvious Darkthrone inspiration) No synths, constant drumming. 'As The Sunrise Flickers' is my favorite album by Svartahrid. Narrative riffing and added melody is always a big +.

I am STILL looking for some Black Metal similar to Lord Belial. It seems not many people know about them, but they are the band that got me into Black Metal. I don't know how to describe their sound, i guess it would be described as melodic black metal, but it still manages to be brutal. It also has very good guitar solos, that really add to the songs, they are short, and they fit perfectly.

The closest i have got is Dark Fortress. Any recommendations?

Try Aherusia. A new band from Greece, but my favourite: http://www.myspace.com/aherusia