Atmospheric black metal is a subgenre of black metal that emphasizes mood, texture, and atmosphere over the raw aggression typically associated with traditional black metal. It merges the harsh elements of black metal with expansive, ambient soundscapes, creating an immersive experience that transports the listener into dark, often desolate worlds. While atmospheric black metal maintains the aggressive vocals, blast beats, and tremolo-picked guitar riffs of its black metal roots, it also incorporates softer, melodic passages, haunting keyboards, and environmental sounds to build its ethereal, immersive atmosphere. This genre has grown significantly in popularity over the past few decades, attracting listeners who crave not only intensity but also depth and nuance in the music. This article explores some of the best atmospheric black metal tracks, offering a closer look at how these artists combine harsh and haunting sounds to create emotionally powerful, atmospheric compositions.
10 Prominent Atmospheric Black Metal Artists Revealed
1. Agalloch – “Not Unlike the Waves”
Agalloch is often regarded as one of the pioneers of atmospheric black metal, blending elements of folk, doom, and post-rock with their trademark black metal sound. “Not Unlike the Waves” from their album Ashes Against the Grain exemplifies their mastery of combining intensity and atmosphere. The track opens with an eerie, mournful acoustic guitar, gradually building into a powerful mixture of blast beats, distorted guitars, and harsh vocals. However, it is the track’s quieter, ambient sections that truly define its atmospheric quality. The song’s lyrics reflect themes of loss and introspection, perfectly matched by the somber soundscape. The interplay between light and dark, quiet and loud, creates a powerful emotional journey that transports listeners into a world of solitude and reflection. Agalloch’s ability to balance beauty and harshness in “Not Unlike the Waves” makes it a standout example of atmospheric black metal.
2. Drudkh – “Autumn Aurora”
Drudkh, a Ukrainian band, is known for their blending of atmospheric black metal with elements of folk and nature-inspired themes. “Autumn Aurora” from their album Autumn Aurora is a powerful example of the band’s ability to evoke a particular time and place through music. The track features majestic, sweeping melodies paired with the raw, black metal foundation of tremolo-picked guitars and blast beats. As the song progresses, the music takes on an almost ethereal quality, with atmospheric keyboard lines and subtle folk influences weaving through the sound. The lyrics, though often indecipherable, reflect themes of autumn, nature, and solitude, immersing the listener in a vivid soundscape of falling leaves and changing seasons. “Autumn Aurora” is a masterclass in creating atmosphere, capturing the melancholy beauty of the autumn season while maintaining the intensity of black metal.
3. Wolves in the Throne Room – “I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots”
Wolves in the Throne Room is a band from the United States known for their atmospheric and nature-inspired approach to black metal. “I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots” from their album Two Hunters is a haunting track that blends the natural world with the harshness of black metal. The track begins with distant, echoing guitar melodies that gradually build into a wall of sound, with rapid drumming and shrieking vocals. However, it is the atmospheric elements, such as the soft synths and the ambient background sounds of wind and rustling leaves, that truly elevate the track. The song’s lyrics evoke themes of death, nature, and the eternal cycle of life, reflecting the band’s deep connection to the natural world. Wolves in the Throne Room’s unique blend of black metal and atmospheric elements in “I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots” creates a deeply immersive experience that transports listeners into the heart of a forest at dusk.
4. Bathory – “A Fine Day to Die”
Bathory, one of the most influential bands in the black metal scene, is known for their early pioneering work in shaping the atmospheric black metal genre. “A Fine Day to Die” from the album Blood Fire Death is a classic example of how the band melded aggressive black metal with an expansive, atmospheric sound. The track is slow and deliberate, with heavy, doom-laden riffs that give way to more melodic sections. The haunting vocals, combined with the epic, mournful atmosphere, convey a sense of longing and inevitability. The song’s lyrics reflect themes of death, fate, and the passage of time, exploring existential themes within a vast and sorrowful soundscape. Bathory’s ability to balance heaviness with atmosphere in “A Fine Day to Die” helped lay the groundwork for the atmospheric black metal movement.
5. Panopticon – “Bodies Under the Falls”
Panopticon, the one-man project of Austin Lunn, is known for blending atmospheric black metal with elements of bluegrass and folk, creating a sound that is both haunting and unique. “Bodies Under the Falls” from the album Kentucky is a prime example of this fusion. The track begins with acoustic guitar melodies that evoke the sounds of the Appalachian mountains before gradually building into an intense black metal composition. The harsh vocals and blast beats are complemented by the melodic, folk-inspired elements, creating an atmosphere that is both grounded and ethereal. The song’s lyrics reflect the dark history of Kentucky, exploring themes of death, violence, and natural beauty. Panopticon’s ability to merge black metal with folk and ambient sounds in “Bodies Under the Falls” creates a deeply atmospheric experience that immerses the listener in the raw beauty of nature.
6. Summoning – “Land of the Dead”
Summoning, an Austrian band, is one of the most iconic names in atmospheric black metal. Known for their epic soundscapes and themes of fantasy and mythology, they have developed a style that is both atmospheric and grandiose. “Land of the Dead” from their album Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame is a track that exemplifies their unique approach. The song features lush, symphonic elements and atmospheric synths, building a vast and expansive sound. The heavy, mid-tempo drumming and tremolo-picked guitars add a layer of aggression, but it is the epic, otherworldly atmosphere that defines the track. The song’s lyrics, which evoke a sense of ancient myth and legend, transport the listener to a dark, ethereal realm. Summoning’s ability to create immersive, cinematic landscapes in their music makes “Land of the Dead” a standout example of atmospheric black metal.
7. Alcest – “Écailles de Lune – Part 1”
Alcest, a French band, is often credited with pioneering the subgenre known as “blackgaze,” a fusion of black metal and shoegaze that emphasizes melody and atmosphere. “Écailles de Lune – Part 1” from their album Écailles de Lune is a perfect example of their unique approach. The track opens with shimmering, melodic guitars that gradually build into a more intense black metal passage, with harsh vocals and blast beats. However, it is the track’s soft, dreamy passages and ethereal atmosphere that truly set it apart. The lyrics, sung in French, evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia, further enhancing the track’s introspective quality. Alcest’s ability to merge the aggression of black metal with the lush, atmospheric qualities of shoegaze in “Écailles de Lune – Part 1” creates a deeply emotional listening experience.
8. Fen – “The Revenant”
Fen, a British band, is known for their atmospheric black metal that draws inspiration from nature and the landscapes of the English countryside. “The Revenant” from their album Carrion Skies is a perfect example of their atmospheric approach. The track begins with a melancholic, melodic guitar line that gradually builds in intensity, with soaring vocals and blast beats adding to the emotional weight of the song. The track’s lyrics reflect themes of loss, grief, and memory, and the music mirrors these feelings with its expansive, somber sound. Fen’s use of melody, atmosphere, and raw emotion in “The Revenant” creates a track that is both beautiful and tragic, showcasing the band’s mastery of atmospheric black metal.
9. Deafheaven – “Dream House”
Deafheaven, a band that blends black metal with shoegaze, post-rock, and ambient elements, has become one of the leading names in atmospheric black metal. “Dream House” from their album Sunbather is a track that exemplifies their ability to mix aggression with atmosphere. The song begins with a soaring, melodic guitar line that gradually builds into a furious black metal section, complete with blast beats and shrieking vocals. However, it is the track’s more tranquil, ambient moments that truly define its atmosphere, with lush synths and reverb-drenched guitars creating a sense of space and reflection. The song’s lyrics reflect themes of longing, memory, and the search for meaning, adding an emotional depth to the track’s dynamic sound. Deafheaven’s ability to seamlessly blend aggression with beauty in “Dream House” makes it a standout example of atmospheric black metal.
10. Les Discrets – “Le Mouvement Perpétuel”
Les Discrets, a French band that blends atmospheric black metal with post-rock and shoegaze influences, creates a sound that is both melancholic and expansive. “Le Mouvement Perpétuel” from their album Septembre et Ses Dernières Pensées is a haunting track that captures the band’s unique approach. The song begins with soft, ambient guitar melodies that gradually build into a powerful crescendo of atmospheric black metal. The vocals, which range from clean to harsh, add to the track’s emotional weight, while the instrumental sections offer a sense of melancholy and introspection. The lyrics explore themes of time, change, and the passage of life, and the music perfectly complements these themes with its ethereal and sorrowful sound. Les Discrets’ ability to combine the beauty of post-rock with the intensity of black metal in “Le Mouvement Perpétuel” creates a truly atmospheric listening experience.
See Also: What Makes Heavy Metal Music Translate to Symphonic Music?
Conclusion
Atmospheric black metal is a genre that continues to evolve, drawing on a wide range of influences and pushing the boundaries of what black metal can be. The artists and tracks featured in this article represent some of the most innovative and influential figures in the genre, each contributing their own unique vision of atmospheric black metal. From the melancholic beauty of Agalloch to the sweeping epics of Summoning, these bands have created music that is not only intense but also deeply immersive. As the genre continues to evolve, it is likely that atmospheric black metal will continue to push the limits of what is possible within the realms of metal and beyond. The future of atmospheric black metal is rich with possibility, and fans can look forward to even more captivating and immersive soundscapes in the years to come.
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