Description: Black metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the early 1980s, with roots primarily in Scandinavia. It is known for its dark, raw, and aggressive sound, often characterized by high-pitched shrieking vocals, fast tempos, and lo-fi production. The lyrics frequently explore themes of darkness, nihilism, and the occult. Key elements of black metal include blast beat drumming, tremolo-picked guitar riffs, and a distinctive visual aesthetic that often includes corpse paint and dark, atmospheric imagery. Mayhem, Burzum, and Darkthrone are among the pioneering bands associated with the early Norwegian black metal scene. The genre has evolved over time, giving rise to various substyles and fusions with other metal genres. Black metal has a reputation for its extreme and controversial nature, both musically and ideologically, and it has had a significant impact on the wider metal community.
