Intro
Black metal has been around for a long time (at least 35 years), and in that time a lot of what we now see as the "classic" albums of the genre have been produced. But for those that have just started listening to (in our opinion) the best music genre there is, it can be a bit overwhelming. These days it's easier to find new bands and albums than it was back in the 90s, but the fact that it's much easier now can also be overwhelming because of the seemingly endless stream of new and old releases. With the current platforms available (Spotify, Tidal, YouTube and Bandcamp) you have an almost unending library of records.
So to help you the reader around that vast sea of black metal releases we made this curated list of older (and some newer) black metal albums that deserve the spotlight and in our opinion are underrated these days.
Lists are always biased, and it's our opinion, doesn't mean it's right also doesn't mean it's wrong. But we are always open for suggestions of albums you think deserve the spotlight. So if you have any, feel free to sign up (it's free) and comment below.
The albums
Troll - Drep de Kristne (1996)
Country: Norway
Label: Damnation Records
Released: 1996
We start the list off with one of my (Roberto's) favorite albums from when I was younger, and that is "Drep de Kristne" from the Norwegian black metal band Troll.
Released in 1996, and the moment I listened to this album I knew it was something special, at least it was for me. That feeling is still there every time I give this album a spin. The entire album still feels great, and track after track, the music just keeps giving. So if you like your black metal fast with great vocals (by Nagash), you should give this album a spin.
Ragnarok - Nattferd (1995)
Country: Norway
Label: Head not found
Released: 1995
Ragnarok, a staple of the Norwegian black metal scene, released this masterpiece (well, in our opinion) 30 years ago. The band is well known, but for new listeners, the older albums can get lost in the overwhelming number of releases. As said in the Intro, there is a massive library of black metal releases, so give this a try and listen to one of the albums that belongs in the hall of fame.
Art Inferno - Abyssvs Abyssvm Invocat (1999)
Country: Italy
Label: Scarlet Records
Released: 1999
This Italian beauty was released in 1999, and I remember buying it solely by looking at the artwork. There weren't any previews back then, so the attention spent on album covers said a lot about the band, at least it did according to me.
And boy was I right; for me, this is still one of the better symphonic black metal albums out there. So if you are a fan of Vargrav, Covenant, or similar bands alike, give this a spin.
Carpe Tenebrum - Mirrored Hate Painting (1999)
Country: Norway
Label: Hammerheart Records
Released: 1999
This album is or was a bit of a weird one, especially when listening to this for the first time when it was released. But younger me really liked the idea behind it when I bought it in 99. Carpe Tenebrum is the brainchild of Astennu (Covenant, Dimmu Borgir) and Nagash (Covenant, Troll, Dimmu Borgir).
The music is mixed with a story that talks about satanic rituals, and it gives the entire album a specific vibe. Sadly, the album isn't on the known music platforms, but you can find it on YouTube, so go and try that one out.
Stillhet - Gjemt I Skyggene (2004)
Country: Norway
Label: Northern Silence
Released: 2004
Fractal, our dedicated album researcher, has a demo from Stillhet that everybody needs to listen to in his words; Stillhet's 2004 demo is a classic in my book, and clearly Northern Silence must have thought highly of it as well to release it on CD and vinyl. It almost sounds like a precursor to DSBM, but the soul and heartbeat of the album is pure Black Metal.
I've spent a lot of time listening to individual songs on repeat for hours. The vocals are aggressive and hideous, and the riffs play like love letters to the Graybeards of the genre and are forever cemented in my memory as a true Black Metal Classic in their own right.
Amestigon - Sun of all Suns (2010)
Country: Austria
Label: Hau Ruck!
Released: 2010
Amestigon’s 2010 debut full-length, “Sun of All Suns” is an album that I would consider a mostly unknown masterpiece within the genre. It bridges the gap between raw, traditional black metal and a more sophisticated, avant-garde approach to atmosphere.
Not to mention, the group consists of members of Summoning, Abigor, and Dargaard. The title track off the album has hands down one of the catchiest riffs I've ever heard in a black metal song. If you are a fan of second-wave black metal but want something that feels modernized without losing its bite, this album is a masterclass.
Kvist - For kunsten maa vi evig vike (1995)
Country: Norway
Label: Avantgarde Music
Released: 1995
If you want to understand where the melodic, atmospheric side of Norwegian black metal peaked in the mid-90s, look no further than Kvist. "For kunsskap skal du ete" is the only album this trio ever released, and it is a masterpiece. This album was released around the time that bands were focussing on raw black metal sound of moving more to a more symphonic/melodic style. But this album, by Kvist, is smack down in the middle of it.
Setherial - Nord (1996)
Country: Sweden
Label: Napalm Records
Released: 1996
Sweden’s mid-90s output is legendary, but while Marduk and Dark Funeral were soaking up most of the spotlight for sheer speed, Setherial quietly dropped an absolute monster with "Nord". If you want the freezing, hyper-aggressive Swedish sound blended with massive, sweeping atmosphere, this album is mandatory listening.
Moonblood - Blut & Krieg (1997)
Country: Germany
Label: Majestic Union
Released: 1997
"Blut & Krieg" from Moonblood is one of the staples of German raw black metal. This recording was made with primitive means, and it shows well; it shows you can hear it. But for me, this adds to the overall aesthetics of the album. The vocals are nasty and cold, just as they should be, and it has some very nice riffs. If you haven't heard this band and album, go check it out.
Sorhin - I det glimrande mörkrets djup (1997)
Country: Norway
Label: Near Dark Productions
Released: 1997
The Swedish band Sorhin released "I det glimrande mörkrets djup" in 1997 and since that release, it's been a staple of the Swedish black metal scene. The vocals are sharp, and it has some very nice riffs. The album itself is more melodic, with heavy metal influences clearly present.
Your thoughts on this article.
We love to hear your opinion about this article. You can do so by becoming a member and commenting on this post.
Or share your opinion and thoughts on our social media channels, or join the discussion on our Discord—where we talk about all things black metal. Don’t forget to follow our Facebook page, Black Metal Zine, for updates on our latest articles, and have a look at our Instagram @blackmetal.zine for concert photos and more!
