Nothing but black metal November – An Article

Author: Jan Jakobsen

Nothing but black metal November started as a thing on the /mu/ board on 4chan where the goal was to listen to nothing but black metal for an entire month. You feel like this is a challenge you’re ready to take on? Well, let me help you. I am going to list 30 different black metal albums, EP’s and demo’s by 30 different bands, one for each day in November. Hopefully this will not only help you in completing the Nothing but black metal November challenge, my aim is also to show you bands that doesn’t get the recognition they deserve.

Katharsis – 666. 666 is the first full-length album by German black metal masters Katharsis and a legendary album in the underground. Filled with ferocious Darkthrone worship and a near perfect production, this album is necessary listen for any black metal enthusiasts. Azaghal – Omega. This is Azaghal’s fifth full-length album and in my opinion their most consistent release as well. This is a non-stop blast beat attack from start to finish and it plays as an incredibly solid mix of Norsecore and better-known Finnish acts such as Behexen and Sargeist. Blood of Kingu – Dark Star on the Right Horn of the Crescent Moon. This band is a side-project by the Ukrainian geniuses of Drudkh and in my opinion the superior band of the two. With Roman Saenko on vocals and guitar, you know you’re in for a treat. What Blood of Kingu does is something else entirely than Drudkh though. This is not an atmospheric style black metal band, even though they do incorporate a type of percussion that oozes of majesty. Dodecahedron – Dodecahedron. Do you like Deathspell Omega? What a silly question, of course you do, who doesn’t? Dodecahedron plays a dissonant style black metal with a focus on the experimental side. Extremely heavy at times, pummeling double bass and some really interesting bass lines. Funereal Presence – The Archer Takes Aim. This is a side-project by Negative Plane member Bestial Devotion. There is a real eerie sense about this record, incorporating much of the same style that Negative Plane has but taken maybe one-step further. Lurker of Chalice – Lurker of Chalice. If you read my review of the new Leviathan album that was posted a couple of months back you may already know how much I love Wrest. Lurker of Chalice is a Wrest project that unfortunately seems dead and buried right now. This album is the one that most resembles Scar Sighted though, incorporating dark ambient in a magnificent fashion. Myrkr – Black Illumination. Not to be mistaken for the Danish Myrkur. Black Illumination is just straight up solid from start to finish. Extensive layering and a fitting production makes this an enjoyable listen. Throne of Katarsis – Ved Graven. This band is as close as you get to local for me. Orthodox black metal done absolutely right and they’ve managed to pump out 4 full lengths since the birth in 2002. Celestial Bloodshed – Ω. The second album on the list named Omega, it’s a coincidence, I swear. They broke up in 2009 when front man Steingrim Torson died in a gun accident, but they released this album in 2013 with material already recorded. The production is surprisingly clear and the music itself is reminiscent of De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. Vemod – Venter på stormene. Absolutely gorgeous ambient black metal, fitting for a walk in the dark during winter times. Svartidauði – Flesh Cathedral. Icelandic black metal has gained some serious momentum over the last couple of years and this one of the reasons why. Dissonant riffs and some serious occult atmosphere going on throughout the entire album. Wormlust – Feral Wisdom. On the topic of Icelandic black metal, Wormlust is another outfit hailing from this tiny Nordic country. Wormlust takes a more experimental approach though, incorporating post-rock and ambient. Saligia – Sic Transit Gloria Mundi. Nidrosian black metal is another scene that have grained a bit of traction lately with bands such as Saligia being one of the frontrunners, together with One Tail, One Head, Mare and many others. Saligia is an orthodox black metal outfit and has a focus on occultism. Nachash – Conjuring the Red Death Eclipse. This EP is seriously some of the best black metal 2015 has to offer. Even though they are Norwegian, their influences are mainly from the Greek scene and particularly Rotting Christ. Sweet-ass riffing and reverb soaked vocals for days. Ellorsith – 1959. Scottish black metal with a death metal edge. Strong Hate Forest influence on this EP, with deep death metal growls and chaotic instrumentation. And also, look up the cover, it’s fucking awesome. 16. Cult of Fire – मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान. Czech black metal outfit which takes influence from Hinduism, it’s weird but so good. Their use of sitars and chanting makes this a very interesting listen. Clandestine Blaze – Fist of the Northern Destroyer. This is Mikko Aspa’s of Deathspell Omega fame side-project. It takes a more primitive approach than Deathspell Omega so do not expect it to sound anything like that. Caedes Cruenta – Ερείπια ψυχών. Greek black metal takes a different approach than many other scenes because the riffs are usually much more melodic and takes a lot of inspiration from the NWOBHM scene. If you want riffs, this is the album for you. Black Majesty – Baphe Metis. Nidrosian black metal for the people! This demo has such an occult vibe going on. It is the perfect music for when you’re trying to summon a demon or sacrificing a goat. Arnaut Pavle – Arnaut Pavle. One of the absolute best demos in recent times. Arnaut Pavle plays raw black metal with a punk attitude, mixing in some serious rock n’ roll grooves at times. 18 minutes of absolute class. Vlad Tepes / Bèlkètre – March to the Black Holocaust. Legendary split by two of the frontrunners of the Les Légions Noires movement. If you like Darkthrone, you’re destined to like this one. Sinmara – Aphotic Womb. Another Icelandic band, what is with those guys? Their style resembles that of Svartidauði, but the dissonance is even clearer on this album. Mgła – Exercises in Futility. If you still haven’t listened to this album I suggest you do it straight away. One of the most hyped releases of 2015 and with good reason. Managing to blend in melody and darkness in a very fluid way is an impressive accomplishment. Mare – Spheres like Death / Throne of the Thirteenth Witch. My love of the Nidrosian black metal scene is very strong as you can probably tell by now. One of the strongest releases coming from this particular scene. Judas Iscariot – The Cold Earth Slept Below. US black metal has gotten a rather unfair reputation over the last couple of years, mostly because of bands like Deafheaven and Liturgy. This on the other is old-school Darkthrone worship and it is very impressive. Hate Forest – Scythia. I’ve already mentioned Blood of Kingu and proclaimed my love for Roman Saenko. Well, here’s another Saenko project, Hate Forest. Scythia is only a demo but I still feel it’s their strongest release. The use of samples works extremely well on this demo and the drumming is incredibly punishing. Funeral Mist – Maratha. Solo project of Marduk vocalist Mortuus and it shares a similar style to that of Marduk. The noticeable difference is the average song lengths and the fact that Funeral Mist does not go full out rampage all the time. Check especially out the tracks Jesus Saves! and Blessed Curse. Peste Noire – La Sanie des siècles – Panégyrique de la dégénérescence. Peste Noire is a necessary listen and La Sanie des siècles – Panégyrique de la dégénérescence is one of their strongest releases. Inquisition – Invoking the Majestic Throne of Satan. Inquisition is one of the best black metal bands you’ll ever hear and this album is quite possibly their strongest release in a near perfect discography. Blasphemy – Fallen Angel of Doom. Finish of your November by setting a new deadlifting record whilst listening to Blasphemy. Actually, just listen to this album every day for the rest of your life.