French Black Metal
The French black metal scene did not take on the Norwegian formula. Instead, it began in damp cellars, abandoned rural halls, and on the fringes of cities. From the beginning of the 1990s, groups began to transform the music into something claustrophobic and underground.
Shadows Beyond the Norm
The French black metal scene did not take on the Norwegian formula. Instead, it began in damp cellars, abandoned rural halls, and on the fringes of cities. From the beginning of the 1990s, groups began to transform the music into something claustrophobic and underground.
During this period, there was an underground group of musicians who performed in various groups such as Mütiilation. These groups produced demos and exchanged them with tape trading groups. Their music was raw and full of despair, with the element of ‘decay’ evident in it.
In contrast to other scenes that had frosty environments in the background, the French version featured settings that revolved around collapsed buildings, rural areas, and spiritual degradation. The tone was more about lingering in despair rather than rapid thrills.
As the years passed on into the 2000s, the scene evolved. Some groups began incorporating folk influences, punk energy, regional accents. Some groups retained an unadulterated edge; others incorporated melody, texture, atmosphere. You’ll note these tendencies in later releases.
In this respect, this scene is important as it demonstrates that black metal has potential beyond frozen lands and traditional themes. Firstly, darkness exists somewhere besides frozen lands and traditional themes. It exists within areas that are unkempt and rundown, such as industrial areas. It exists within one’s mind. Underground music exists within one’s mind and follows no rules set by others. If you are interested in this area, explore some of the French underground releases on tape, and then move on to some bands who continued to break new ground. You'll see that there is a history that's perhaps less well-known but no less intense.