Atmospheric Black Metal

About the Genre

Atmospheric black metal is a subgenre of black metal that emphasizes the creation of a specific atmosphere or mood through the use of atmospheric elements such as ambiance and melody. This subgenre is characterized by its ethereal, dreamlike, and often melancholic soundscapes, as well as its incorporation of elements from ambient, shoegaze, and post-rock music.

Atmospheric black metal bands typically use unconventional song structures and unconventional instrumentation, such as the use of keyboards and clean vocals, to create a more atmospheric and emotional sound. The lyrics of atmospheric black metal bands frequently focus on nature, personal introspection, and existentialism.

The origins can be traced back to the mid-1990s, with the emergence of bands such as Burzum, Ulver, and Drudkh. These bands helped to establish the subgenre by incorporating atmospheric elements into their sound, and by experimenting with unconventional song structures and unconventional instrumentation.

Recently, atmospheric black metal has seen a significant rise in popularity and influence, with bands such as Deafheaven, Alcest, and Wolves in the Throne Room, receiving critical acclaim and a wider audience. This subgenre has also been able to attract fans from other genres such as post-rock, ambient, and shoegaze.

Videos
Links

YouTube: Atmospheric Black Metal – YouTube