Theatrical, carnivalesque blackened metal

[Vossyrus]

I am looking for something a bit specific, not just symphonic/melodic black metal (it doesn't necessarily have to be black metal though).

Something where the keyboard/synths are played in a theatrical, carnivalesque and romantic fashion like that of the followng albums:

Bishop of Hexen - The Nightmarish Compositions
Arcturus - Aspera Hiems Symphonia
Dimmu Borgir - Spiritual Black Dimensions

And I know it sounds a bit silly, but if anyone has seen the show Cybersix (a fav show of mine), I absolutely love like the music interludes played during the show - that sort of stuff is exactly what I'm looking for.

I'm very much into the symphonic/melodic/classical/gothic variety of black metal, so it's likely that I've heard many of the bands that people are likely to mention, but I'm hoping that perhaps I've overlooked some bands or have yet to hear something!

 

[zabu of nΩd]

I am interested in this request as well.

 

[Vossyrus]

^ Well if it helps you...

Quadrivium's debut "Adversus" - it's a good album and Arcturus-influenced with the keyboard/synth that I'm looking for, but the band isn't quite as dynamic as the previous examples I gave, which is why I didn't mention them earlier.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

I'll try and check them out. Of course, quality is always a plus.

 

[Lifewithoutpain]

I don't generally listen to this genre of music but I thought right away that 'Unexpect' might qualify. Their album 'In a Flesh Aqaurium' is definatly canivalesque. You'll have to let us know if it works out for you...

 

[Zephyrus]

There's a bit of that stuff on Limbonic Art's In Abhorrence Dementia. May not be quite what you're looking for but you should own that album anyway....both of you.

And Vesania's God the Lux is worth a try as well.

 

[Vossyrus]

I don't generally listen to this genre of music but I thought right away that 'Unexpect' might qualify. Their album 'In a Flesh Aqaurium' is definatly canivalesque. You'll have to let us know if it works out for you...

I remember checking that album out a couple years ago. It wasn't something that appealed to me at the time, but I'll definitely re-visit them.

There's a bit of that stuff on Limbonic Art's In Abhorrence Dementia. May not be quite what you're looking for but you should own that album anyway....both of you.

And Vesania's God the Lux is worth a try as well.

Limbonic Art I guess is one of those bands that I've overlooked. I remember enjoying them a few years ago, but for some reason I haven't listened to them in a very long time. As for Vesania, I've only heard their last album. I liked them but I thought their death metal influence and heavy production values didn't compliment the atmosphere and keyboard/synth. But I'll definitely check those out.


Thank you both for the recommendations

 

[S<issors]

yes, unexpect aren't really "blackened," but they definitely have the carnival vibe down

 

[Hypnos]

Diabolical Masquerade - Nightwork
Covenant - Nexus Polaris
Solefald - In Harmonia Universali
Korova - Dead Like An Angel
Morgul - The Horror Grandeur
Notre Dame - the whole discography

 

[SentinelSlain]

um someone played me some metalcore that was in 4/4 and had that fair ground type instrument thingy...

maybe somebody knows what I'm talking about.l.

 

[Einherjar86]

The first thing that came to mind was Bishop of Hexen, but I knew that you already knew them. Great description of their sound though.

I'd recommend Tvangeste. Their album Firestorm sounds that way at times, although a bit less "carnivalesque." Still, great theatrical black metal.

 

[Omni]

Sigh - Hangman's Hymn: Musikalische Exequien

 

[zabu of nΩd]

um someone played me some metalcore that was in 4/4 and had that fair ground type instrument thingy...

maybe somebody knows what I'm talking about.l.

No

 

[BlackMetalWhiteGuy]

Diablo Swing Orchestra


Devil Doll



Dog Fashion Disco (this reminds me of Winnie the Pooh's bad dream)


Unexpect


I also recommend the songs "Sultry Air" and "The Beldam of the Bedlam," by Atrox. Unfortunately, Castle for Clowns is the best example that I could find on youtube.

 

[genocide roach]

Sigh - Hangman's Hymn: Musikalische Exequien

YES! perfect rec.

~gR~

 

[unknown]

DEVIL DOLL

 

[Master_Yoda77]

Maybe I'm the only one that feels this way, but I've always found When All The Laughter Has Gone by Dolorian to put of an evil carnival vibe. I've also thought of MoRT by Blut Aus Nord to be somewhat along those lines as well.

 

[Vossyrus]

Diabolical Masquerade - Nightwork
Covenant - Nexus Polaris
Solefald - In Harmonia Universali
Korova - Dead Like An Angel
Morgul - The Horror Grandeur
Notre Dame - the whole discography

I do listen to the Covenant/Kovenant and Notre Dame, and I've also listened to Morgul and Korova but just not those particular albums but I will check them out, as well as Solefald.

The first thing that came to mind was Bishop of Hexen, but I knew that you already knew them. Great description of their sound though.

I'd recommend Tvangeste. Their album Firestorm sounds that way at times, although a bit less "carnivalesque." Still, great theatrical black metal.

Tvangeste is actually one of the bands that helped get into black metal several years ago, and that album is among one of my favourites in terms of symphonic black metal.

Sigh - Hangman's Hymn: Musikalische Exequien

YES! perfect rec.
~gR~

That would be a perfect rec if I wasn&#8217;t already a fan of them, and that album is particularly awesome. There&#8217;s definitely elements on that album that are of what I&#8217;m looking for.

Diablo Swing Orchestra

Devil Doll

Dog Fashion Disco (this reminds me of Winnie the Pooh's bad dream)

Unexpect

I also recommend the songs "Sultry Air" and "The Beldam of the Bedlam," by Atrox. Unfortunately, Castle for Clowns is the best example that I could find on youtube.

I am familiar with DevilDoll, and because they've been recommended a couple times I will listen that Unexpect album. The other stuff is interesting, and theatrical but not quite what I'm looking for, thanks though.

Maybe I'm the only one that feels this way, but I've always found When All The Laughter Has Gone by Dolorian to put of an evil carnival vibe. I've also thought of MoRT by Blut Aus Nord to be somewhat along those lines as well.

I&#8217;ll check out the Dolorian since I'm not familiar with them, but Blut Aus Nord's MoRT album isn't quite what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the recs everyone.

 

[Seditious]

saw this thread nominated for the "Black Metal Directory" thread.

(sorry to bump it, but if it's going to exist as a reference, updates should be permissible)

Svartby - Riv, Hugg och Bit (2009)
Finntroll - Nifelvind (2010)

 

[DarkBliss]

Devil Doll is pretty damn awesome. But they're prog rock.
Their albums are somewhat difficult to sit through due to extreme length. But the narrative structure of the music helps sustain interest. Haven't listened to them in freaking ages though.