Depressive Suicidal Black Metal (DSBM) is a subgenre of black metal that focuses on themes of despair, isolation, and mental anguish. Often known for its raw emotional intensity, it combines the chaotic, harsh sound of black metal with deeply melancholic and depressive lyrical content. The genre has grown in popularity over the years, and many bands have made their mark by crafting tracks that perfectly capture the feeling of hopelessness and internal struggle. In this article, we will explore 20 tracks from various DSBM bands that are essential listens for fans of the genre. These songs offer a mix of dark atmosphere, aggressive black metal riffing, and heartbreaking lyrics, each representing the best that Depressive Suicidal Black Metal has to offer.
Whether you’re an established fan of DSBM or new to the genre, these tracks will provide a glimpse into the emotional and sonic world of one of metal’s most intense subgenres. This list highlights the diversity within DSBM, from atmospheric black metal to more aggressive, in-your-face expressions of despair. The combination of harsh vocals, depressive melodies, and profound emotional content makes DSBM a unique and powerful form of expression.
16 Depressive Suicidal Black Metal to Check Out
1. “I Am the Black Wizards” – Emperor
While not strictly DSBM, Emperor’s track “I Am the Black Wizards” has elements that influenced depressive black metal. The cold, atmospheric production coupled with high-pitched shrieking vocals gives the track an ominous, melancholic tone. The fast-paced riffing and intense drumming carry a feeling of isolation, pushing the listener toward the abyss of inner turmoil. The lyrics speak of darkness and malevolence, but they also echo a sense of introspective existential dread, marking the track as an early influence on the themes that DSBM would later develop.
2. “Lunar Mantra” – Shining
Shining’s “Lunar Mantra” is one of the most essential DSBM tracks, capturing the essence of depressive nihilism. The song opens with an eerie and haunting melody, followed by vocals that embody a deep sense of hopelessness. The track’s slow, methodical pace emphasizes the bleakness in the music, while the lyrics delve into the mind of someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. The black metal atmosphere is present, but there is an emotional depth that makes this track stand out in the DSBM subgenre.
3. “Filosofem” – Burzum
Burzum’s “Filosofem” is a landmark album for depressive black metal, and the track itself encapsulates the loneliness and pain often associated with the genre. The song’s repetitive, hypnotic riffs are minimalistic but deeply effective, creating a cold, desolate feeling. Varg Vikernes’ shrieked vocals, while raw and unrefined, add to the track’s intensity, expressing a sense of self-destruction. The slow, meditative pace combined with depressive elements makes “Filosofem” an essential track for fans of the genre.
4. “Det Som Engang Var” – Burzum
Another track by Burzum that encapsulates depressive black metal is “Det Som Engang Var.” The song’s melancholic atmosphere is amplified by its slow tempo and haunting guitar melodies. It creates a feeling of deep sorrow and regret, with lyrics that reflect on a lost past and personal disillusionment. The track’s repetitive nature makes it almost trance-like, pulling the listener deeper into the depressive mood that permeates the song.
5. “The Dead Can’t Dance” – Xasthur
Xasthur is a legendary name in DSBM, and “The Dead Can’t Dance” is a prime example of the band’s ability to blend atmospheric black metal with depressive themes. The track features thick, suffocating guitar tones and distant, reverb-drenched vocals that enhance the feeling of isolation. The lyrics are deeply nihilistic, focusing on death and the absence of meaning, which is a central theme of DSBM. Xasthur’s use of space and atmosphere creates a track that feels both haunting and emotionally empty, perfectly capturing the feeling of hopelessness.
6. “A Crown of Sadness” – Leviathan
Leviathan’s “A Crown of Sadness” is a dark, brooding track that speaks to the core of depressive black metal. The dissonant guitar riffs are paired with relentless drumming, creating an atmosphere of torment and despair. The shrieking vocals are raw and agonizing, reflecting a mental state teetering on the edge of collapse. The track’s melancholic tone is amplified by its slower tempo, allowing the emotional weight of the song to sink in with every note. It’s a prime example of how Leviathan captures the essence of depression through black metal.
7. “Silhouettes” – Lifelover
Lifelover’s “Silhouettes” is one of the most emotionally charged songs in DSBM, combining black metal’s chaotic aggression with elements of gothic rock and melancholic atmosphere. The track’s mixture of clean and harsh vocals allows for an exploration of the contrast between emotional despair and inner turmoil. The brooding guitars and haunting melodies amplify the sense of isolation and depression. The song’s lyrics delve into themes of hopelessness, loneliness, and self-loathing, creating an experience that resonates deeply with those familiar with the emotional landscape of DSBM.
8. “Wanderer” – Gris
Gris is known for their ability to create deeply atmospheric and emotive black metal. “Wanderer” is a standout track that brings together bleakness and melancholy in equal measure. The slow, somber pace and atmospheric riffs set the mood for the track, while the raw, tortured vocals enhance the feeling of abandonment and despair. Gris’s combination of black metal aggression and melancholic beauty makes this track an essential piece of depressive black metal, capturing the feeling of wandering through a dark and empty world.
9. “Eternal Winter” – Forgotten Tomb
Forgotten Tomb’s “Eternal Winter” is a track that blends depressive black metal with elements of doom, creating a heavy, suffocating atmosphere. The slow, crushing riffs evoke the sensation of being trapped in an endless, cold winter. The vocals are haunting, with a sense of finality that complements the themes of death and decay. “Eternal Winter” speaks to the inevitability of suffering, and the track’s length and repetitive nature help to build an oppressive sense of hopelessness that is the hallmark of the DSBM genre.
10. “A Solitary Cold” – Nocturnal Depression
Nocturnal Depression is known for their cold, atmospheric take on depressive black metal, and “A Solitary Cold” exemplifies their style. The track opens with a mournful guitar riff that immediately sets a melancholy tone. The drums are steady, almost trudging, creating a feeling of heavy, slow-moving despair. The vocals are anguished and distant, adding to the sense of detachment. Lyrically, the song focuses on themes of loneliness and the emotional emptiness that often accompanies depression. It’s a track that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Nocturnal Depression’s approach to DSBM.
11. “The Faint Path” – Wedard
Wedard’s “The Faint Path” is a track that blends the harshness of black metal with the melancholic beauty of depressive themes. The song features atmospheric keyboards alongside traditional black metal instrumentation, creating an eerie, cold environment. The vocals are tortured and anguished, delivering lyrics that speak of pain, loss, and despair. The overall tone of the track is sorrowful, with long, drawn-out moments that let the listener sink deep into the music’s emotional landscape. It’s a prime example of the blend of atmospheric black metal and deep emotional sorrow that defines DSBM.
12. “Grief” – Austere
Austere’s “Grief” is an intense exploration of the emotional weight of loss and suffering. The song opens with slow, melodic guitar lines that immediately create a sense of sadness. As the track progresses, the guitars build in intensity, reflecting the inner turmoil and the weight of grief. The vocals are shrill and desperate, adding a sense of emotional urgency to the track. The overall tone is one of deep sorrow, making it an essential listen for those who appreciate the emotional depth of DSBM.
13. “On the Wings of a Moth” – Nyktalgia
Nyktalgia’s “On the Wings of a Moth” is a somber, haunting piece of depressive black metal. The track combines cold, atmospheric black metal riffs with slow, melancholic melodies. The harsh vocals are full of pain, reflecting a sense of longing and hopelessness. The song’s pacing is slow and deliberate, allowing the listener to fully absorb the emotional weight of the music. Nyktalgia’s use of melody and atmosphere creates a deeply introspective listening experience that explores themes of loneliness and internal despair.
14. “No Light” – Grievance
Grievance’s “No Light” is a track that speaks to the complete absence of hope. The song starts with an eerie, haunting melody that sets a cold and desolate mood. The vocals are raw and filled with anguish, capturing the deep emptiness that the song’s lyrics convey. The combination of slow, melancholic guitar lines and cold, distant drumming creates an atmosphere of complete isolation. “No Light” is a perfect example of the genre’s ability to evoke an emotional response through both its lyrics and its crushing, depressive atmosphere.
15. “Desolate” – Woods of Desolation
Woods of Desolation’s “Desolate” is an emotive piece of DSBM that delves into themes of hopelessness and abandonment. The song’s melancholic riffing sets the stage for the track’s emotional intensity, and the vocals are filled with despair. The track’s slow tempo and long, drawn-out melodies evoke the feeling of being trapped in a desolate, empty world. The lyrics speak of emotional devastation, making “Desolate” an essential track for fans of DSBM looking for an emotionally raw experience.
16. “The Mourning” – Happy Days
Happy Days, with their emotionally intense approach to depressive black metal, deliver a standout track with “The Mourning.” The slow, atmospheric build-up at the beginning of the song creates a sense of inevitable doom. The vocals are hauntingly melancholic, filled with sorrow and regret. “The Mourning” captures the essence of mourning both personal loss and the loss of hope. The combination of raw emotion and slow, dissonant black metal riffs makes this track an essential listen in the DSBM genre.
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Conclusion
Depressive Suicidal Black Metal is a genre that speaks to the darkest corners of the human experience. These 16 tracks represent the diversity and emotional depth that define DSBM. Whether through crushing riffs, haunting melodies, or raw, anguished vocals, these songs manage to capture the complex emotions of despair, loneliness, and isolation. For fans of the genre, these tracks are essential listening, offering both a sense of catharsis and a reflection on the darker aspects of the human condition. While the themes explored in DSBM are undeniably heavy and often difficult, they also offer a unique form of expression that resonates with those who find solace in the music’s emotional intensity.
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