Blackgaze is a captivating genre that fuses elements of black metal with the lush, ethereal sounds of shoegaze. This genre has gained momentum over the past two decades, merging the aggression and darkness of black metal with the dreamlike atmospheres of shoegaze. Characterized by atmospheric and melancholic melodies, with a blend of harsh vocals and shimmering guitar effects, blackgaze creates an immersive listening experience. It allows listeners to feel both the intensity of black metal and the hypnotic, swirling beauty of shoegaze.
This article will highlight 14 blackgaze artists who have made significant contributions to the genre. Whether you’re new to blackgaze or already a fan, these artists offer a variety of styles and approaches that show the diversity within this atmospheric metal subgenre. Each artist brings something unique to the table, combining elements from different musical worlds to create something truly special. We’ll look at their most impactful songs and explore the distinctiveness of their sound.
Top 14 Blackgaze Artists Ever
1. Deafheaven – “Sunbather”
Deafheaven is perhaps the most well-known blackgaze band, and their 2013 album Sunbather is a defining record of the genre. The title track of the same name is a perfect example of how Deafheaven blends the ferocity of black metal with atmospheric, shoegazing elements. The song opens with dreamy guitar riffs that slowly build into an intense, fast-paced black metal section. The contrast between the harsh, shrieking vocals and the beautiful, ambient guitar creates a unique sound that feels both emotionally charged and expansive. Sunbather remains a cornerstone of blackgaze music, offering both chaos and tranquility in one track.
2. Alcest – “Écailles de Lune”
Alcest is a French band credited with pioneering the blackgaze movement. Their 2010 album Écailles de Lune features some of the genre’s most atmospheric tracks. The title track is a brilliant example of Alcest’s ability to blend delicate melodies with black metal’s intense energy. The song’s opening features shimmering guitars and ethereal vocals that quickly give way to heavier, more aggressive passages, blending shoegaze textures with black metal’s raw power. Alcest’s sound is characterized by a sense of melancholy and otherworldliness, making Écailles de Lune a staple in the blackgaze genre.
3. Les Discrets – “Le Nombre D’Or”
Les Discrets, another French blackgaze band, brings a more delicate and introspective approach to the genre. “Le Nombre D’Or” from their 2012 album Ariettes Oubliees… is a prime example of their blend of blackgaze and post-rock. The song starts with soft, clean guitar passages and atmospheric instrumentation before slowly building into a heavier, more intense section with harsh vocals. Les Discrets’ ability to seamlessly blend gentle melodies with the intense elements of black metal gives them a unique place in the blackgaze scene. Their music carries a haunting beauty, filled with both light and darkness.
4. Ghost Bath – “Golden Number”
Ghost Bath, an American band influenced by the blackgaze movement, blends intense black metal with hauntingly beautiful, melodic moments. “Golden Number” from their 2015 album Moonlover is a perfect example of their style. The track opens with haunting, atmospheric melodies before transitioning into blast beats and shrieking vocals. The song’s progression from calm, ambient passages to intense black metal provides a dynamic listening experience that showcases Ghost Bath’s ability to create tension and release. “Golden Number” is a beautifully melancholic track that embodies the atmospheric qualities of blackgaze while maintaining the rawness of black metal.
5. Woods of Desolation – “The Falling Tide”
Woods of Desolation is an Australian band known for their emotive and atmospheric take on blackgaze. “The Falling Tide” from their 2011 album Torn Beyond Reason is a great example of their ability to blend haunting melodies with black metal’s aggression. The track features soaring, melancholic guitar lines paired with harsh vocals and blast beats, creating a sense of isolation and longing. The combination of these elements results in a track that feels both intense and expansive, capturing the essence of blackgaze with its somber atmosphere and emotional depth.
6. Pinkish Black – “The Switch”
Pinkish Black, an American duo, blends elements of dark, atmospheric metal with shoegaze and industrial influences. “The Switch” from their 2016 album Bottom of the Morning is a standout track that showcases their unique approach to blackgaze. The song begins with a brooding, atmospheric synth and slowly builds into a heavier, more dissonant section with distorted vocals. The combination of eerie electronic elements, heavy riffs, and distant, haunting vocals creates a track that is both unsettling and mesmerizing. Pinkish Black’s ability to mix blackgaze with industrial influences makes them stand out in the genre.
7. Amesoeurs – “Les Rêves De L’Abime”
Amesoeurs, a short-lived French band, was formed by members of Alcest and other prominent blackgaze groups. Their 2009 self-titled album features “Les Rêves De L’Abime,” a track that blends elements of blackgaze with post-punk and shoegaze. The song features dreamy, ethereal guitars and melodic vocals, interspersed with harsh black metal sections. The contrast between light and dark is evident throughout the track, creating an emotional journey that captures the spirit of blackgaze. Amesoeurs’ sound is atmospheric and melancholic, yet filled with intensity, making them one of the genre’s key influences.
8. Spectral Lore – “Σκιές” (Shadows)
Spectral Lore is a Greek band known for its dark, atmospheric approach to blackgaze and atmospheric black metal. “Σκιές” (Shadows) from their 2017 album III is an epic, sprawling track that captures the essence of the genre. The song’s opening is haunting and ambient, with lush, reverb-drenched guitar lines that create a sense of vastness. As the track progresses, it evolves into more intense black metal sections, with harsh vocals and blast beats. Spectral Lore’s ability to craft long, atmospheric compositions that weave between beauty and chaos makes them a standout in the blackgaze scene.
9. Drudkh – “Kholodnaia Zema”
Ukrainian band Drudkh is known for their atmospheric take on black metal, and while they are not strictly a blackgaze band, their work has been influential in the genre. “Kholodnaia Zema” from their 2006 album Autumn Aurora features beautiful, melancholic melodies paired with harsh, rasping vocals. The track is full of layered guitar lines and atmospheric passages that evoke a sense of both isolation and grandeur. While Drudkh leans more toward atmospheric black metal, their style has had a significant impact on the development of blackgaze, particularly in the way they blend natural, melancholic beauty with intense metal elements.
10. Fauna – “The Darkest Light”
Fauna is a unique band within the blackgaze scene, blending elements of black metal, shoegaze, and neofolk. “The Darkest Light” from their 2012 album The Unquiet Sky is a hauntingly beautiful track that showcases the band’s ability to fuse atmospheric elements with black metal’s raw intensity. The song features slow, dreamy passages that build into more aggressive sections with shrieking vocals and blast beats. Fauna’s music often evokes a sense of nature and the wilderness, and “The Darkest Light” is a perfect example of how blackgaze can blend elements of the natural world with heavy, intense metal.
11. Lantlôs – “Melting Sun”
Lantlôs is a German band that has shifted through various musical styles over the years, and their 2010 album Agape is one of the most influential blackgaze records. “Melting Sun” is a track that exemplifies their ability to combine atmospheric, shoegazing elements with harsh black metal. The song features lush, melodic guitar work that gradually transitions into more intense, blast-beat-driven sections, with vocals that alternate between ethereal cleans and harsh shrieks. The contrast between serenity and aggression is a hallmark of Lantlôs’ sound, and “Melting Sun” captures this duality perfectly.
12. Nyktalgia – “Endless Horizons”
Nyktalgia, a band that merges blackgaze and atmospheric black metal, offers an expansive, melancholic sound that is both beautiful and intense. “Endless Horizons” from their 2012 album The White Tomb features shimmering guitars and haunting, ethereal vocals that gradually give way to more aggressive, blast-beat-driven sections. The track is a journey through contrasting sonic landscapes, with moments of serenity and chaos that reflect the emotional depth of blackgaze. Nyktalgia’s ability to create an immersive atmosphere with both light and dark elements makes them a standout in the genre.
13. Hail Spirit Noir – “Mayhem in Blue”
Greek band Hail Spirit Noir blends blackgaze with psychedelic and progressive elements to create a unique sound. “Mayhem in Blue” from their 2018 album Mayhem in Blue is a perfect example of their style. The track opens with a dreamy, psychedelic atmosphere before transitioning into a heavier, more chaotic section. The mix of clean and harsh vocals, combined with the swirling guitar effects and intricate rhythms, creates a disorienting yet captivating listening experience. Hail Spirit Noir’s ability to blend different musical genres within blackgaze gives their music a distinct, experimental edge.
14. Agalloch – “Falling Snow”
Agalloch is a band that, while often classified as atmospheric black metal, has been a significant influence on the development of blackgaze. “Falling Snow” from their 2006 album Ashes Against the Grain is a hauntingly atmospheric track that blends elements of black metal with the beauty of shoegaze. The track features lush, melodic guitar work, along with eerie, whispered vocals. Agalloch’s ability to combine nature-inspired themes with both tranquil and intense moments gives them a unique place in the world of blackgaze and atmospheric black metal.
See Also: What Makes Heavy Metal Music Translate to Symphonic Music?
Conclusion
Blackgaze is a genre that thrives on its ability to combine the ferocity of black metal with the delicate beauty of shoegaze. The artists featured in this article represent a range of styles and approaches within the genre, from atmospheric black metal to more psychedelic and experimental takes. Each of these bands brings something unique to the table, whether it’s Deafheaven’s emotive soundscapes, Alcest’s ethereal beauty, or the experimental tendencies of bands like Hail Spirit Noir. Blackgaze continues to grow and evolve, and these 14 artists are at the forefront of this captivating musical movement.
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