So I'm listening to all of my Norwegian black metal CDs lately. Next I'll move to Sweden. Yes, I am that bored while looking for a job or waiting on my winning lottery ticket.
I'm going through all the major players like Emperor, Enslaved, Burzum, Immortal, and Ulver. But also a lot of the lesser known bands. It's confusing as to why some of these bands are not among the more well-known ones.
Aeternus
While not true black metal, I still don't understand why this band is not hailed as masters of their craft. The debut EP and first two full-legnths are untouchable as a trifecta. And even their atmospheric epic brutal death metalis not bad at all.
Asmegin
Naturally, since they are fairly new, they won't be amongst the elite, but I feel I must mention them. Their album is a stunner. That Solefald dude gives his best performance for Asmegin. It's a dark, atmospheric album with great vocals all 'round.
Fleurety
Their first is a classic, but still not well-known if I go by this forum's knowledge on the band and the debut. Of course, ignored because of the avant tendencies and the era it was released.
Forlorn
I've heard their latest, Hybernation, is Dimmu worship, so I gnored it. But their s/t debut and The Crystal Palace are amazing epic viking black metal. Both beautiful releases in their own right. Not entirely original, but worth t if you like that style. Opus III is a mixed bag, with a few good songs of astral viking metal.
Hades
Why this band never got beyond the shadow of the others is beyond me. Again Shall Be is awesome, and The Dawn of the Dying Sun is to die for. Millenium Nocturne was OK, and I haven't heard Pulse of Decay. TDotDS is buy or die.
Helheim
This is the most puzzling one, since Helheim is better than Burzum, Ulver, Immortal, Emperor, and even Enslaved IMO. The demo, Jormundgand and the unfuckablewith Av Norron Aett are majestic pieces of viking black metal art. Pure fucking Thunderground, right here.
Mock/Kampfar
Solid stuff here, especially the two Kampfar full-lengths. Not exactly premier league like Helheim, but very good and worth checking out for fans of black viking metal. Mock is more straight forward, but it is well executed.
Manes
Downright fucking creepy atmospheric black metal. I really like it. I've got one of their rare demos as well as Under Ein Blodraud Maane, which is slowly becoming one of my favorit black metals alongside Helheim and Fleurety. Total necro.
Those are the only lesser known Norwegian black metal bands I own, but here are some more tidbits:
-Quintessence owns the rest of the Borkie catalogue. So easily.
-I find Burzum's "atmospheric" casio pieces to be quite tedious, especially the one that closes Filosofem. But I like the sci-fi type one on Det Som Engang Var.
-In the Nightside Eclipse is better than I remember, but I still prefer Anthems.
-IX Equilibrium is not nearly as bad as most people want to believe. It somewhat enjoyable, actually.
-Other than Eld, Hordanes Land, and Vikingligr Veldi, Enslaved is overrated and not essential.
-Av Norron Aett is the best Norwegian black metal album.
-A Return to the Isle of Men is vastly underrated.
-Early Satyricon kicks ass, and I'm pissed I didn't check them out sooner.
-Blizzard Beasts is underrated, while Battles is overrated.
-Bergtatt isn't all that and a bag of chips.
That was fun. Stay tuned for the next episode of "Jeff is a Bum" featuring opinions on his Swedish metal collection.
And if any of you have some recommendations, feel free.
I'm going through all the major players like Emperor, Enslaved, Burzum, Immortal, and Ulver. But also a lot of the lesser known bands. It's confusing as to why some of these bands are not among the more well-known ones.
Aeternus
While not true black metal, I still don't understand why this band is not hailed as masters of their craft. The debut EP and first two full-legnths are untouchable as a trifecta. And even their atmospheric epic brutal death metalis not bad at all.
Asmegin
Naturally, since they are fairly new, they won't be amongst the elite, but I feel I must mention them. Their album is a stunner. That Solefald dude gives his best performance for Asmegin. It's a dark, atmospheric album with great vocals all 'round.
Fleurety
Their first is a classic, but still not well-known if I go by this forum's knowledge on the band and the debut. Of course, ignored because of the avant tendencies and the era it was released.
Forlorn
I've heard their latest, Hybernation, is Dimmu worship, so I gnored it. But their s/t debut and The Crystal Palace are amazing epic viking black metal. Both beautiful releases in their own right. Not entirely original, but worth t if you like that style. Opus III is a mixed bag, with a few good songs of astral viking metal.
Hades
Why this band never got beyond the shadow of the others is beyond me. Again Shall Be is awesome, and The Dawn of the Dying Sun is to die for. Millenium Nocturne was OK, and I haven't heard Pulse of Decay. TDotDS is buy or die.
Helheim
This is the most puzzling one, since Helheim is better than Burzum, Ulver, Immortal, Emperor, and even Enslaved IMO. The demo, Jormundgand and the unfuckablewith Av Norron Aett are majestic pieces of viking black metal art. Pure fucking Thunderground, right here.
Mock/Kampfar
Solid stuff here, especially the two Kampfar full-lengths. Not exactly premier league like Helheim, but very good and worth checking out for fans of black viking metal. Mock is more straight forward, but it is well executed.
Manes
Downright fucking creepy atmospheric black metal. I really like it. I've got one of their rare demos as well as Under Ein Blodraud Maane, which is slowly becoming one of my favorit black metals alongside Helheim and Fleurety. Total necro.
Those are the only lesser known Norwegian black metal bands I own, but here are some more tidbits:
-Quintessence owns the rest of the Borkie catalogue. So easily.
-I find Burzum's "atmospheric" casio pieces to be quite tedious, especially the one that closes Filosofem. But I like the sci-fi type one on Det Som Engang Var.
-In the Nightside Eclipse is better than I remember, but I still prefer Anthems.
-IX Equilibrium is not nearly as bad as most people want to believe. It somewhat enjoyable, actually.
-Other than Eld, Hordanes Land, and Vikingligr Veldi, Enslaved is overrated and not essential.
-Av Norron Aett is the best Norwegian black metal album.
-A Return to the Isle of Men is vastly underrated.
-Early Satyricon kicks ass, and I'm pissed I didn't check them out sooner.
-Blizzard Beasts is underrated, while Battles is overrated.
-Bergtatt isn't all that and a bag of chips.
That was fun. Stay tuned for the next episode of "Jeff is a Bum" featuring opinions on his Swedish metal collection.
And if any of you have some recommendations, feel free.
