Symphonic black metal
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(March 2021) |
| Symphonic black metal | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Early to mid 1990s, Norway and United Kingdom |
Symphonic black metalis a subgenre ofblack metalthat emerged in the 1990s and incorporatessymphonicandorchestralelements.[1]
History[edit]
One of the earliest forerunners in what would come to be the sound of Symphonic black metal wasCeltic Froston their1987albumInto the Pandemonium.The first extreme metal bands incorporating classical, orchestral, and operatic elements into their music wereMekong Delta,[2]Bulldozeron their albumNeurodeliri(1988),[3]BelieveronSanity Obscure(1990) andDimensions(1993),[2][4]Master's HammeronRitual(1991)[5]andThe Jilemnice Occultist(1993) andSighon their debutScorn Defeat(1993).[6]
The style onEmperor'sIn the Nightside Eclipse(1994) had a pioneering influence though and was the main inspiration for many keyboard-based black metal bands following after.Troll'sDrep de kristne(1995) andArcturus'Aspera Hiems Symfonia(1996) are other notable early works of symphonic black metal, before the genre was commercialised by the international success of bands likeDimmu BorgirandBal Sagoth.[7][8]
Characteristics[edit]
Symphonic black metal is a style ofblack metalthat incorporates symphonic andorchestralelements. This may include the usage of keyboards to conjure up "pseudo-orchestral" soundscapes with default presets (e.g. strings, choirs, piano, organs, and pads), or full orchestral arrangements. Bands may feature solo instruments such as violins in addition to keyboards and/or orchestral arrangements. Vocals can be "clean" oroperaticin style, and song structures are more defined or are inspired by symphonies, and follow a typical riff-based approach. Many of the characteristics of traditional black metal are retained, such as shrieks, fast tempos, hightrebleandtremolo-picked electric guitars. The overall sound and themes can be considered wider than traditional black metal, many groups of symphonic black metal use themes such asvampirism(Theatres des Vampires,Cradle of Filth),occultismand theparanormal(Carach Angren). Political themes are more neglected by them as in other black metal subgenres.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Symphonic Black Metal: Significant Albums, Artists and Songs, Most Viewed: AllMusic".AllMusic.Retrieved2 September2012.
- ^abWagner, Jeff (2010).Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal.Brooklyn:Bazillion Points.pp. 134–135, 155.ISBN978-0-9796163-3-4.
- ^Bulldozer."They came into this world with hatred… and with hatred they will depart!"In:Tales of the Macabre, Nr. 5.
- ^Treppel, Jeff (9 November 2012)."The Lazarus Pit: Believer's Sanity Obscure".Decibel.Alex Mulcahy.Retrieved4 June2015.;Bush, John."Dimensions".AllMusic.All Media Guide.Retrieved4 June2015.;>Anderson, Matt (1 April 1994)."Believer - Dimensions".Cross Rhythms(20). Cornerstone House.Retrieved4 June2015.
- ^Rock Hard - MASTER´S HAMMER - The Jilemnice Occultist(German)
- ^"Scorn Defeat - Sigh | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.Retrieved14 April2020.
- ^Troll – Neo-Satanic Supremacy – REVIEW: OneMetal.com
- ^Aspera Hiems Symfonia - Arcturus - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic
