First Wave — The 1980s
Black metal's first wave emerged in the early to mid 1980s with bands like Venom, Bathory and Mercyful Fate establishing the aesthetic and lyrical themes that would define the genre. Venom coined the term with their 1982 album Black Metal. Bathory, the Swedish one-man project of Quorthon, developed the rawer, more atmospheric sound that would directly inspire the second wave. Mercyful Fate brought sophisticated musicianship and occult imagery to the nascent genre.
The Second Wave — Norway in the 1990s
The second and most influential wave of black metal emerged from Norway in the early 1990s. Bands including Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, Emperor and Immortal developed a rawer, more extreme sound characterised by deliberately lo-fi production, tremolo-picked guitar riffs, shrieked vocals and themes of darkness, paganism and anti-Christianity. The Norwegian scene was surrounded by genuine controversy including church burnings and murders, giving the genre an infamy that persists to this day.
Atmospheric and Post-Black Metal
Through the 2000s black metal began evolving in more atmospheric and experimental directions. Bands like Agalloch, Wolves in the Throne Room and Deafheaven incorporated post-rock and shoegaze influences into the black metal template, creating music of genuine beauty and emotional depth alongside the traditional darkness. This atmospheric branch attracted listeners who might never have engaged with more extreme black metal, significantly broadening the genre's audience.
Black Metal Today
Today black metal is one of the most diverse and creatively fertile corners of heavy music. From the raw Norwegian orthodoxy of Darkthrone and Mayhem to the atmospheric sophistication of Mgla and Primordial, the genre continues to produce music of genuine artistic significance. The Australian black metal scene has produced internationally respected acts including Pestilential Shadows and Drowning the Light.
Key Bands
Agalloch, Dissection, Emperor, Immortal, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Burzum, Mgla, Mercyful Fate, Primordial