TheSpirit
Brandon Scott
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Last Active 10-04-22 3:24 pm
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TheSpirit's Black Metal 100 Pt.2

An ongoing series of lists that feature my favorite black metal albums of all time. Expect to see artists from every BM subgenre; expect to see "mainstream" artists next to their more underground peers; expect to see some artists making multiple entries. Consider all of these albums as recommendations and records that you need to hear. This is part 2
1Panopticon/Vestiges
Split

As one of the more recognizable figures on the black metal scene, Panopticon mainman Austin Lunn often pays it forward when it comes to exposing newer bands to the masses. Though he paves the way, the band's he chooses to consort with are generally of a high caliber, and Vestiges is no exception; they are a sludgy atmospheric black metal band from Washington D.C. who truly leaves an impression here. They are undoubtedly heavy, and crushing - the doom-y break halfway through VIII is a testament to that - but more importantly they are incredibly thoughtful. The music moves with purpose and a complete understanding where it needs to go next, providing a sense of dynamics that makes their harsh/melodic approach thoroughly satisfying.m As for Panopticon, his material is excellent as usual.This split sees Austin returning to a post-rock/shoegaze influenced black metal sound, and it's the best he's ever done it. In fact it's one of the best fusions of the two I've ever heard.
2Obliti Devoravit
Obliti Devoravit

A band associated with Colloquial Sound Recordings (one of the best black metal labels I've come across the past few years), Obliti Devoravit definitely upholds CSR's standards in creating high quality raw black metal. There are moments where these guys play by the rules - punk grooves, dark melodies, and straightforward trems- but more often than it seems like they are making up their own rules as they go along. It's a record that exudes a sense of fun, adventurousness and danger, which for this listener makes it an essential part of my black metal catalog.
3Bhang Khang
2011 Demo

Though unfortunately defunct, Bhang Khang left behind this great little piece of work before they broke-up. A melting pot of black metal, powerviolence, and sludge, Bhang Khang deliver one exciting song after another over the course of this six-song demo. It's everything you would expect; violent and spastic black metal built on a foundation of blast beats that often sink into bluesy, bass-heavy sludge dirges. The vocals are particularly good, adding a bit of a punk snarl to the usual black metal bite.
4Miserere Luminis
Miserere Luminis

I'm consistently surprised this is not a well known project; featuring members of Sombres Forets and Gris, Miserere Luminis is an atmospheric black metal album with tinges of shoegaze and screamo. While the former is a definite, the screamo elements I'm almost sure are unintentional, which kind of gives this record feeling of unpredictably, a rarity in black metal. They place a special emphasis on twinkling melodies, providing a unique otherworldly/cosmic feeling, but they are also not so far removed from traditional black metal to occasionally check you with filthy mid-paced crawls. I really love this album, and I have no doubt that many of you would too.
5Drowning the Light
From the Abyss

Drowning The Light is one of Australia's most prolific black metal artists thanks to two things: the sheer volume of his discography (14 full-lengths, 17 demos, 9 EPs, 13 splits and 6 compilations), but in more recent years, the noticeably rising quality of it. While early work was inconsistent, everything from that point has really been quite good, and this year's From The Abyss may just be his most accomplished release to date. By expanding beyond his atmospheric/depressive black metal roots, this album allows Drowning The Light to explore heights that seemed previously impossible to reach. On tracks like "Cursed Voyage" harmonized guitars collide with Medieval harmonies creating something breathtaking in the process, while songs such as "Rise! Under Satans Mighty Horns" offers something a bit more visceral. Every track has its own quirk, yet is united through a permeating medieval atmosphere, making this album feel complete without also feeling monotonous. I highly recommend this.
6Dommedagssalme
Division

I feel the need to address the cover art first- yes, it is ridiculous and terrible, but don't let that stop you from listening to this. This is highly melodic and repetitious black metal meant to lull you into hypnotic states. Like Darkspace, the album steers away from the cold plains of usual black metal fare and transports you into the cold vacuum of space. The celestial atmosphere generally takes precedence over the guitars and drums, but it all kind of melds together into this beautiful white noise. Recommended lonely, rainy days.
7Rhinocervs
RH-08 "Untitled 1 & 2"

Rhinocervs is an offshoot of the Black Twilight Circle started by Yagian, formerly of Ashdautas and currently of Odz Manouk. Started as a label that waned to focus on musical output rather than the name of the artist itself, the first two albums by the label RH-01 and 02, were released by an "unknown artist" (who further down the line was ironically dubbed Rhinocervs), that were later compiled into RH-08. The music here is obviously very LLN-inspired, taking cues Belketre and Vlad Tepes especially. I happen to find this release absolutely stunning; it's dark and brooding, but the melodies are nothing less than breathtaking. They stem from pure mysticism rather than anything else, creating an effect that compels you to keep exploring the depths of their esoteric, medieval sound.
8The Black Twilight Circle
Tliltic Tlapoyauak

This just reaffirms why The Black Twilight Circle are the most important thing in black metal today. It's amazing to see the growth in the returning bands - Arizmenda's track might just be the best thing they've ever done. Axeman's song could be one of the best black metal songs EVER. Even the newer bands manage to pull their own weight. Kampilan rocks the foundation with their thundering brand of filthy death/doom while In Lakech Ala Kin triumphantly represent the disturbed brand of atmospheric black metal The Black Twilight Circle has become known for. Seriously, any and every black metal fan needs to get their hands ALL OVER THIS. I'm usually pretty good at separating personal favorites from albums that I would claim are essential to the genre just because I love them, but this is 100%, objectively speaking an essential record.
9Blut Aus Nord
777 - Sect(s)

The Paracletus of 2011. Don't get me wrong, this is in no way a carbon copy of DsO's last album; 777 is black metal at its most haunting, combining eerie atmospheres with labyrinths of dissonant riffage and somber melodies to create a nightmarish album of epic proportions. Unorthodox in about every way possible, 777 doesn't make sense at all, but it's the album's unpredictability along with its genius crafting makes it one of the better chaotic black metal albums of these past few years
10Prosanctus Inferi
Sacreligious Desecration In Excelsis

Although most days I prefer their full-length, Prosanctus Inferi's first demo is absolute descent into hell; spawning riffs of pure malevolence, choking with its conjuration of a thick, stifling and ever so tangible atmosphere and battering with an assaulting percussive performance, Sacrilegious Desecration In Excelsis is more than just music, it's a ritualistic satanic journey from which there may be no return. Listen at your own risk.
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