Black metal recommendations?

[BreakfastMan]

Since you said "Don't recommend the giants like Emperor" and so on, I feel like you probably already know about this (hell, it doesn't even qualify as what you asked for, exactly), but I must mention it anyway. Have you listened to Ihsahn's post-Emperor solo stuff? It's fantastic, in my opinion. If you haven't, give it a shot.

Yeah, I have listened to a bit of it. Always loved Ihsahn's vocals, his solo stuff appealed to me right off the back. Really pleasently surprised at how awesome his clean voice is, it sounds really good.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Cult of Fire and Mgla are mind blowing.

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulY1FwLxI8o

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulY1FwLxI8o

Enjoy.

You have a Summoning avatar, so I am definitely going to check these out, as you obviously have excellent taste. XD

You know, I reckon you should give Graveland a chance. There hasn't been any NS association with the band since the mid-late 90's, and even then, it was more because of the other two members than Rob Darken himself, who was always more about the pagan aspect. Since around 1998-onward, Graveland has purely consisted of pagan black metal with all the NS elements dropped (when it returned as a one-man band).

If you do decide to listen to some of it, I'd recommend Dawn of Iron Blades. Since you like Häive, it may very well appeal to you. It's probably the most polished and accessible album in his extensive discography, and has a very solid production.

Eh, okay, I might check it out... I just don't like supporting bands that are explicitly connected to NS. I can survive listening to bands that are indirectly connected to NS like Burzum, Watain, Taake, and Nachtmystium, but stuff that directly supports nazism and/or wotanism I find hard to stomach. :\

 

[Sunrider]

Since you said "Don't recommend the giants like Emperor" and so on, I feel like you probably already know about this (hell, it doesn't even qualify as what you asked for, exactly), but I must mention it anyway. Have you listened to Ihsahn's post-Emperor solo stuff? It's fantastic, in my opinion. If you haven't, give it a shot.

Yeah, I have listened to a bit of it. Always loved Ihsahn's vocals, his solo stuff appealed to me right off the back. Really pleasently surprised at how awesome his clean voice is, it sounds really good.

Agreed. While this might get me in trouble with some of the black metal purists out there, I always liked Emperor better on the later two albums, where Ihsahn basically did all the heavy lifting. He is immensely talented.
To me he's a lot like Devin Townsend in that way. Came across his heavier stuff, but really happy with the post-Emperor / post-Strapping Young Lad stuff too.

 

[fenrizz]

Writing this from my phone, so I can't easily link to YouTube.

But these are my favorites:

1. Windir, Norwegian band with folk inspirations. Quite brilliant! (fav song: Svartasmeden og lundamyrstrollet live)
2. Taake, another Norwegian band. Over Bjoergvin Graater Himmerik is the best album imo.
3. Agathodaimon, German band. Have only listened to their debut album, Blacken the Angel, but it is one of my favourites.

Hope this helps!

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

Eh, okay, I might check it out... I just don't like supporting bands that are explicitly connected to NS. I can survive listening to bands that are indirectly connected to NS like Burzum, Watain, Taake, and Nachtmystium, but stuff that directly supports nazism and/or wotanism I find hard to stomach. :\

Sorry, but that really makes no sense to me. Varg is one of the worst of the lot. Have you ever read the shit he posts on his blog? There's more anti-semitism and fucked up belief in him than all the Polish black metal scene combined. I understand not wanting to support such artists (you can still listen without giving them money) with beliefs varied from your own, but having Burzum as an exception is.. well, odd to say the least. As I said, Varg is one of the worst.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Eh, okay, I might check it out... I just don't like supporting bands that are explicitly connected to NS. I can survive listening to bands that are indirectly connected to NS like Burzum, Watain, Taake, and Nachtmystium, but stuff that directly supports nazism and/or wotanism I find hard to stomach. :\

Sorry, but that really makes no sense to me. Varg is one of the worst of the lot. Have you ever read the shit he posts on his blog? There's more anti-semitism and fucked up belief in him than all the Polish black metal scene combined. I understand not wanting to support such artists (you can still listen without giving them money) with beliefs varied from your own, but having Burzum as an exception is.. well, odd to say the least. As I said, Varg is one of the worst.

I know how bad Varg is. You don't stab your best friend over 20 times and commit arson, and get to remain a "nice" person. But regardless, he never directly preaches racism in his songs. He just seems to sing about the usual kvlt and pagan stuff.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

I know how bad Varg is. You don't stab your best friend over 20 times and commit arson, and get to remain a "nice" person. But regardless, he never directly preaches racism in his songs. He just seems to sing about the usual kvlt and pagan stuff.

Which is no different than Graveland from 1998-onward. Since then, it's been entirely old European warriors engaging in battle and hailing their gods. That's the extent of it. Hell, from recent interviews I've read, Rob Darken has calmed down a lot since his rebellious youth attitudes of the 90's, anyway. I'd say gave it a chance.

 

[BreakfastMan]

I know how bad Varg is. You don't stab your best friend over 20 times and commit arson, and get to remain a "nice" person. But regardless, he never directly preaches racism in his songs. He just seems to sing about the usual kvlt and pagan stuff.

Which is no different than Graveland from 1998-onward. Since then, it's been entirely old European warriors engaging in battle and hailing their gods. That's the extent of it. Hell, from recent interviews I've read, Rob Darken has calmed down a lot since his rebellious youth attitudes of the 90's, anyway. I'd say gave it a chance.

Well... I am. I have Dawn of the Iron Blades open in a YouTube tab now (though, I admit, I am not listening to it ATM. I am actually listening to the Dead version of Freezing Moon, simply because I have had that opening riff going through my head all damn day), mostly because of what you said about the album.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

Well... I am. I have Dawn of the Iron Blades open in a YouTube tab now (though, I admit, I am not listening to it ATM. I am actually listening to the Dead version of Freezing Moon, simply because I have had that opening riff going through my head all damn day), mostly because of what you said about the album.

'Freezing Moon' is a great song, though I prefer Attila's vocals. They're just completely, utterly ominous and evil. Mayhem just released a song from their new album actually, entitled 'Psywar'. It wasn't too bad.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Well... I am. I have Dawn of the Iron Blades open in a YouTube tab now (though, I admit, I am not listening to it ATM. I am actually listening to the Dead version of Freezing Moon, simply because I have had that opening riff going through my head all damn day), mostly because of what you said about the album.

'Freezing Moon' is a great song, though I prefer Attila's vocals. They're just completely, utterly ominous and evil. Mayhem just released a song from their new album actually, entitled 'Psywar'. It wasn't too bad.

I dunno, I just think Dead's voice works much better with the song. His croaks just seem to work better with it.

As for new Mayhem songs... I dunno, Mayhem just doesn't seem like Mayhem without Euronymous. With the main man behind the band dead, and the only guy left from when they were at the most important being the drummer... Doesn't really seem like it would be the same band. (EDIT: Though, I admit, I have never been much of a Mayhem fan anyway, I just really like 2-3 of their songs) EDIT 2: Listened to Psywar. It was okay, but not anything great. It was like a Vektor song, but not as good.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

Ever listened to the Vader cover? Gives it a nice twist.

I can't decide which one of the 3 versions I like the most, though I guess I'd have to go with Dead if you threatened to kick me in the balls really hard.

I'm a confessed Vader fanboy. They're one of my upmost favourite bands and I respect Peter (the frontman) to the highest degree possible you can respect a musician. So.. I'm a little biased in this situation xD

Needless to say, Vader's version. I also prefer death metal to black, so there's that too.

 

[OmniscientOstrich]

Well alrighty, I'm not sure how many of these might constitute 'big' names and some of them are more of an offshoot of the genre than being pure BM, but I haven't seen them mentioned yet and I think it's worth throwing them out there just in case you're not familiar with them:

Spoiler: Blergh

1349 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tW4AlW2n5A1349]
Thorns [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wCO2vPFel0]
Ulver (Bergtatt and Nattens Madrigal) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASxEX6oJy80]
Arcturus (First album and certain sections of Sham Mirrors) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc-JLs5cdHk]
Sigh [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDR4gY-LVNM]
Drudkh [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk0HkbUMS8M]
Beherit (I personally thought Drawing Down the Moon was shit, so I'd suggest just sticking with Engram) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP-7S_fGkY8]
Vemod [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgG0-n1Bsm4]
Ved Buens Ende [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMPfYr7JiZM]
In the Woods... (First album) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhrotNdoox4]
Stoic Dissention [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioaUVsQQUJQ]
Dreadnought (Really more like Blackened Prog Rock than Metal but still worth checking out) [http://dreadnoughtdenver.bandcamp.com/track/nascence]
Deathspell Omega (I've only really given Paracletus and Fas-Ite a good listen at this point but if technical, proggy and dissonant BM sounds appealing to you then git on that shit) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM9PUegDRz8]
Gorgoroth (First three albums are worth a listen if you can get past the vocalist on the first sounding like Donald Duck) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nf_zOPMQYQ]
Panopticon [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkR1XRsL6Z0]
Peccatum (More Prog Metal than Black) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDJ1wFtoJZ4]
Darkspace (Also maybe check out Paysage D'hiver) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBHnJNEbNZw]
Wolves in the Throne Room [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDrJ5qOyXyg]
Rotting Christ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F55-4TqiSv0]
Moonsorrow (More Folk than Black but still worth giving a whirl) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb1w8ln2yJk]
Negura Bunget [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-SCyXecLZg]
Diabolical Masquerade [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1E-NvfBAeU]
Dissection [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26GyKRXVJD4]
Nokturnal Mortum (May fall into the NS category, not sure what the full story is there) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9c0VXgDi7E]
Samael [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DLdY3A28qQ]
Hades (Almighty) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbv3mRCZ37U]
Altar of Plagues [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqQZVzg82vg]
Aura Noir (More Thrash than Black) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it9nuS6HOmA]
Necrophobic (Darkside and debatably Nocturnal Silence, haven't listened to their later work) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sYai5i9AkA]
Tsjuder [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39H5NiJdVTI]
May Result [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi9315EPhdg]
Oranssi Pazuzu [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqK6s93wqRU]
Inquisition [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F7ABpLEMno]

 

[BreakfastMan]

Well alrighty, I'm not sure how many of these might constitute 'big' names and some of them are more of an offshoot of the genre than being pure BM, but I haven't seen them mentioned yet and I think it's worth throwing them out there just in case you're not familiar with them:

Spoiler: Blergh

1349 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tW4AlW2n5A1349]
Thorns [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wCO2vPFel0]
Ulver (Bergtatt and Nattens Madrigal) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASxEX6oJy80]
Arcturus (First album and certain sections of Sham Mirrors) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc-JLs5cdHk]
Sigh [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDR4gY-LVNM]
Drudkh [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk0HkbUMS8M]
Beherit (I personally thought Drawing Down the Moon was shit, so I'd suggest just sticking with Engram) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP-7S_fGkY8]
Vemod [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgG0-n1Bsm4]
Ved Buens Ende [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMPfYr7JiZM]
In the Woods... (First album) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhrotNdoox4]
Stoic Dissention [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioaUVsQQUJQ]
Dreadnought (Really more like Blackened Prog Rock than Metal but still worth checking out) [http://dreadnoughtdenver.bandcamp.com/track/nascence]
Deathspell Omega (I've only really given Paracletus and Fas-Ite a good listen at this point but if technical, proggy and dissonant BM sounds appealing to you then git on that shit) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM9PUegDRz8]
Gorgoroth (First three albums are worth a listen if you can get past the vocalist on the first sounding like Donald Duck) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nf_zOPMQYQ]
Panopticon [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkR1XRsL6Z0]
Peccatum (More Prog Metal than Black) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDJ1wFtoJZ4]
Darkspace (Also maybe check out Paysage D'hiver) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBHnJNEbNZw]
Wolves in the Throne Room [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDrJ5qOyXyg]
Rotting Christ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F55-4TqiSv0]
Moonsorrow (More Folk than Black but still worth giving a whirl) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb1w8ln2yJk]
Negura Bunget [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-SCyXecLZg]
Diabolical Masquerade [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1E-NvfBAeU]
Dissection [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26GyKRXVJD4]
Nokturnal Mortum (May fall into the NS category, not sure what the full story is there) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9c0VXgDi7E]
Samael [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DLdY3A28qQ]
Hades (Almighty) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbv3mRCZ37U]
Altar of Plagues [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqQZVzg82vg]
Aura Noir (More Thrash than Black) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it9nuS6HOmA]
Necrophobic (Darkside and debatably Nocturnal Silence, haven't listened to their later work) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sYai5i9AkA]
Tsjuder [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39H5NiJdVTI]
May Result [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi9315EPhdg]
Oranssi Pazuzu [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqK6s93wqRU]
Inquisition [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F7ABpLEMno]

Well, a number of those, like Ulver, Rotting Christ, and Wolves In The Throne Room are fairly big (for black metal), but a lot of them are not so much... Though I admit, I have listened to close to half the artists on that list. And based on the bands you have posted, you have damn fine taste. XD

 

[Vicarious Reality]

Not sure why but i do not thing i have ever seen anyone post Ceremonial Castings, a great symphonic BM band from Battle Ground in Washington

Anorexia Nervosa is pretty fun
Ajattara is black metaly at least, i like them very much, i have Itse & Tyhjyys behind me
Thorns is a great album
Ah, we shine

 

[Silly Hats]

This just is so Brutal, Black/Drone/Doom. The heaviest thing.

Noisy, Folk Black Metal, very underrated band

Atmopheric, Lo-Fi Black Metal that really gets you in the mood.

Folky Black Metal

[youtubev=BdXkg4xYL5M]
Really like this, Post-Black Metal without being regular Blackmetal with way to much reverb

Atmospheric Black

I know heaps more, but i'll keep things relatively concise.

 

[Silly Hats]

I'd definitely recommend giving Darkspace a listen. They're a Swiss BM band whose content is mainly focused on space and none of the typical far-right shit that pollutes the BM scene.

I swear, I was going to post Darkspace. Great band.

 

[OmniscientOstrich]

Well, a number of those, like Ulver, Rotting Christ, and Wolves In The Throne Room are fairly big (for black metal)

Yeah, I probably should have sussed that seeing some of the other bands you've been mentioning, I guess I'm just too much of an Ulver fanboy not to post them in any given music thread. XD Plus there are those bands like Ved Buens Ende that fall into the pretty well known (relatively speaking obviously) yet somewhat overlooked category. Also I'd never heard of Melechesh until this thread and Sphynx seems to be the subject of much praise so I'll have to check that out. :3

And based on the bands you have posted, you have damn fine taste. XD

Spoiler

Right back atcha.