Blackgaze is a genre that blends two seemingly distinct musical styles: black metal and shoegaze. This fusion of extreme and ethereal sounds creates a captivating atmosphere that pushes the boundaries of both genres. With its roots in the underground metal scene, blackgaze has slowly gained attention and recognition in the broader music world. In this article, we will explore the origins, characteristics, prominent bands, and the growing influence of blackgaze.
Introduction to Blackgaze
Blackgaze is a subgenre of metal that merges the raw aggression of black metal with the dreamy, atmospheric elements of shoegaze. While black metal is known for its harsh vocals, blast beats, and dark, cold themes, shoegaze is defined by its lush, reverberating guitar tones and introspective mood. The combination of these elements creates a unique musical experience that is both abrasive and beautiful.
The term “blackgaze” was coined by fans and critics to describe this hybrid sound. The genre is still relatively new, with its peak gaining momentum in the 2010s. It has, however, already made a significant impact on the metal and alternative music scenes. Its roots lie in the early works of several key bands, who helped shape the genre’s defining characteristics.
The Origins of Blackgaze
Blackgaze emerged in the early 2000s as a result of a natural crossover between black metal and shoegaze. Black metal had been evolving since the early 1990s, driven by bands such as Mayhem, Burzum, and Darkthrone. These groups pioneered the use of tremolo-picked guitar riffs, high-pitched shrieking vocals, and a focus on atmosphere and nature. At the same time, shoegaze, which originated in the late 1980s, was known for its ethereal soundscapes created through heavy use of reverb, delay, and distortion, with bands like My Bloody Valentine and Ride leading the charge.
The melding of these two genres is most often attributed to the French band Alcest. Their 2007 album Écailles de Lune is widely regarded as one of the first true examples of blackgaze. Alcest’s combination of harsh black metal elements with delicate, melodic guitar passages and dreamy vocals set the template for the genre. Their style was further developed by other pioneering acts, including Deafheaven, Les Discrets, and Lantlôs, who brought their own interpretations to the sound.
While black metal tends to be raw, aggressive, and hostile in tone, shoegaze is often introspective and immersive. The blending of these contrasting styles produces a sound that is both emotionally complex and sonically expansive. The genre’s growth can be attributed to its ability to bridge the gap between two very different music communities.
Key Characteristics of Blackgaze
Blackgaze can be broken down into several key characteristics, all of which help distinguish it from other subgenres of metal and alternative music. These include the blending of harsh and clean vocals, atmospheric guitar work, and a focus on emotional expression.
Vocals
One of the most distinctive features of blackgaze is its use of dual vocal styles. Black metal vocals are typically characterized by high-pitched shrieks and screams, a technique that conveys anguish and torment. In blackgaze, these aggressive vocals are often paired with clean singing, which is more melodic and serene. The interplay between the two vocal styles creates a contrast that adds emotional depth to the music.
The clean vocals in blackgaze are typically used to evoke feelings of beauty, nostalgia, or melancholy, while the black metal screams maintain a sense of intensity and emotional rawness. This combination allows blackgaze to explore a broader range of emotions than traditional black metal.
Guitar Work
Guitar work in blackgaze is another defining feature of the genre. In black metal, guitar riffs are often tremolo-picked, fast, and relentless. These riffs are used to create a cold, bleak atmosphere, which is one of the hallmarks of the genre. In contrast, shoegaze is known for its lush, reverberating guitar tones that create a wall of sound. In blackgaze, these two approaches are combined, with tremolo-picked riffs layered with dense, shimmering guitars that provide a dreamlike quality to the music.
The use of reverb and delay effects is also common in blackgaze, contributing to the atmospheric and immersive sound. The guitars in blackgaze often create a thick, saturated texture that can wash over the listener, blending the intensity of black metal with the lushness of shoegaze.
Atmosphere
Atmosphere plays a central role in blackgaze, as it does in both black metal and shoegaze. The genre’s atmospheric qualities are not just a result of the guitar work but also the overall production style. Blackgaze bands often use long, drawn-out sections of music that allow the listener to become fully immersed in the soundscape. These sections are often contrasted with bursts of aggression, where blast beats and shrieking vocals create moments of tension.
In blackgaze, atmosphere is used to evoke a wide range of emotional responses, from feelings of melancholy and introspection to catharsis and euphoria. The music can feel like a journey, with the shifting dynamics mirroring emotional highs and lows.
Lyrical Themes
While lyrical themes in blackgaze often retain the dark, introspective qualities of black metal, they can also explore more personal, emotional subjects that are common in shoegaze. Black metal lyrics traditionally deal with topics such as nihilism, nature, paganism, and death. In contrast, shoegaze lyrics often explore themes of love, longing, and introspection.
In blackgaze, the lyrics can merge these two worlds. The lyrics may explore personal experiences, existential struggles, or philosophical reflections, while also maintaining the grand, cosmic scale often found in black metal.
Prominent Blackgaze Bands
Several bands have played a pivotal role in the development and popularization of blackgaze. While Alcest is often cited as the originator of the genre, other bands have contributed significantly to its growth and diversification.
Alcest
Alcest is widely regarded as the pioneer of blackgaze, and their influence on the genre cannot be overstated. Their early work, such as Écailles de Lune (2007), introduced the fusion of black metal and shoegaze, setting the tone for the genre. Alcest’s sound evolved over the years, incorporating more atmospheric and post-rock elements, but their foundational role in the creation of blackgaze remains unquestionable.
Deafheaven
Deafheaven is another key band in the blackgaze movement. Their 2013 album Sunbather received widespread acclaim for its innovative blend of black metal, post-rock, and shoegaze. The album’s combination of soaring, atmospheric passages with intense black metal blast beats and shrieking vocals helped to define the modern sound of blackgaze. Deafheaven’s willingness to experiment with different genres and push the boundaries of metal has made them one of the most prominent and influential bands in the scene.
Les Discrets
Les Discrets, like Alcest, is part of the French blackgaze scene. Their music blends elements of black metal, post-rock, and shoegaze with an emphasis on melody and atmosphere. Their debut album, Septembre et ses Dernières Pensées (2010), showcased the band’s ability to create lush, emotionally resonant soundscapes while maintaining the intensity of black metal. Les Discrets’ work is often more subdued and introspective than some of their peers, but their contribution to blackgaze is undeniable.
Lantlôs
Lantlôs is a German band that was formed by former members of the influential black metal band Negura Bunget. Their music incorporates elements of blackgaze, with a focus on ethereal melodies, atmospheric guitar work, and a mix of clean and harsh vocals. Their album Agape (2010) is considered a standout in the genre, with its blend of melancholic, shoegaze-inspired elements and the raw aggression of black metal.
The Influence of Blackgaze
Since its inception, blackgaze has had a significant impact on both the metal and alternative music scenes. The genre’s unique combination of aggression and beauty has drawn attention from fans of black metal, post-rock, and shoegaze alike.
Blackgaze has helped to expand the boundaries of black metal, which has traditionally been a niche genre. The incorporation of shoegaze elements has made blackgaze more accessible to a wider audience, attracting listeners who may not have been drawn to traditional black metal. At the same time, blackgaze has helped to bring attention to underground metal subgenres and has inspired a new generation of musicians to experiment with different sonic textures and styles.
Beyond its impact on metal, blackgaze has also influenced other genres of music. The lush, atmospheric qualities of blackgaze have found their way into post-rock, indie, and alternative music, with artists from a variety of genres incorporating elements of the style into their work.
See Also: What Are the Mental Effects of Heavy Metal?
Conclusion
Blackgaze is a genre that continues to evolve, with new bands and artists pushing the boundaries of what is possible within its sonic framework. As the genre grows, it remains a fascinating intersection of two seemingly disparate worlds: the aggression and intensity of black metal and the beauty and introspection of shoegaze.
The genre’s ability to combine these elements in a way that feels both cohesive and emotionally resonant speaks to the creativity and innovation of the artists who work within it. As more bands explore blackgaze and experiment with its unique blend of sounds, the genre will likely continue to grow and influence a wide range of musical communities.
Blackgaze is more than just a musical style—it is a reflection of the complexities of human emotion and experience, blending light and dark, harsh and soft, in a way that few other genres can achieve. As it continues to evolve, blackgaze will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the broader musical landscape.
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