Black Metal

Released in 2000, “Grand Declaration of War” by Mayhem blends black metal with avant-garde elements, exploring themes of war and existentialism.

Emperor’s 1994 album, “In the Nightside Eclipse,” is a seminal work in symphonic black metal, notable for its atmospheric sound, raw energy, and complex song structures.

Before corpse paint and church burnings, there was Venom – a band that laid the groundwork for metal’s most extreme subgenre, whether they intended to or not.

“Most murderous cult on the planet.” These words ignited a firestorm. Nergal’s onstage attack on the Catholic Church pushed Poland to confront where freedom of expression ends and censorship begins.

Stark. Primal. Rebellious. The goat head of Bathory’s self-titled debut album became synonymous with black metal, a symbol of both dark power and DIY defiance.

Mayhem’s Dead didn’t just sing, he performed autopsies onstage. Blood wasn’t stage makeup, it was a way of life (or rather, death).

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is a landmark black metal album, and its cover art is just as infamous. But behind the stark image of Nidaros Cathedral lies a story of church burnings, murder, and allegations of a plot to destroy the very building pictured.

Three decades after its release, “In the Nightside Eclipse” by Emperor continues to resonate within the metal community, celebrated for pioneering the symphonic black metal subgenre. Its intricate compositions and atmospheric depth have secured its place as one of the greatest black metal albums of all time.

From their first raw rehearsals to their debut gig, their journey was not just about music — it was the birth of a legacy.

In a symphony where black metal meets the finesse of viticulture, Sigurd Wongraven, the iconic frontman of Satyricon, orchestrates a fascinating transition from the stage to the vineyard.

Over a quarter-century ago, the halls of Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo bore witness to a defining moment in black metal history: the last live performance of Darkthrone and the first major gig of Satyricon.

Beginning as a death metal band in 1986, Darkthrone underwent a radical transformation with their “Unholy Trinity” albums. These records not only marked a departure from their origins but also played a pivotal role in defining the ethos and sound of Norwegian black metal.

In 1984, amidst the societal upheaval of post-dictatorship Brazil, the Cavalera brothers formed Sepultura. Their journey from the raw streets of Belo Horizonte to metal legends was fueled by a blend of aggression, political unrest, and a fierce DIY ethos.

Varg Vikernes, under the banner of Burzum, not only defined the essence of early Norwegian black metal but also stirred a controversy that continues to echo in the genre’s legacy.

Once a pioneering figure in Norwegian black metal, Varg Vikernes’ career took a turn as his musical innovations became overshadowed by legal battles and divisive personal beliefs.

What begins with the mystery of Niklas Kvarforth’s suicide unfolds into an unpredictable concert where he reappears as Ghoul, sparking controversy and chaos in equal measure.

The night of Euronymous’s murder by Varg Vikernes marked a turning point, casting a long shadow over black metal. This event weaves a dark tapestry of artistic passion, ideological divide, and a fatal altercation.

Some stories have no heroes, only shades of grey. In a Lillehammer park, a man died under Faust’s knife, putting the drummer and the black metal community into an uncomfortable spotlight.

Elizabeth Báthory, a 16th-century countess with a notorious reputation, and Venom’s metal anthem “Countess Bathory” find common ground in the story of how Bathory got its name.

The Cavalera brothers brought more than just noise with “Morbid Visions”; they brought a seismic shift to the Brazilian and global metal landscape.