This isn’t an article on what black metal is. This isn’t an article about Viking metal. Nor is it an article about the type of guitars that are best for playing this kind of music. It’s just a very brief introduction to the genre, with a list of some bands you should check out if you’re at all interested in this type of music (I recommend checking them out first and then reading more).
Contents
After The Burial
After the Burial is a band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. This is one of my favorite bands and it was hard choosing just one song to represent them, but I think “The Great Repeat” does that best. This song is a great example of how this band uses melodies to carry the song and their excellent riffs make you want to move your head from side to side in rhythm. Please check this band out if you haven’t already, they will not disappoint you.
Animals As Leaders
Animals As Leaders is a band I know you should check out. This is the most perfect combination of melody and precision that I have ever heard. Their music doesn’t bore you, it keeps your attention the whole time. Not only their music, but also all of their songs, are incredibly epic and beautiful in every way possible. Please check this band out if you haven’t already, they will not disappoint you.
Meshuggah
Meshuggah, who released their latest album “The Violent Sleep of Reason” a few years ago, is one of the best metal bands I have ever heard. One thing that really stands out to me about this band is how they compose songs. They compose some of the most complex and yet beautiful music I have ever heard. The songs are long, but not long enough to bore you and it keeps your interest from beginning to end.
Portals
Portals is a band from Australia that I haven’t yet had the chance to check out, but they are on my radar. They have an excellent song called “Burdened” and the video to it is very interesting. The song is so good. The video itself reflects the lyrics of the song. This isn’t one of your standard metal videos, it’s a forgotten film from the 1920s (or however long ago that was) that this band found and decided to use for their song. Give them a listen, I think you will find them interesting to say the least.
Scale The Summit
Scale the Summit is an American progressive metal band from Houston, Texas. They are phenomenal musicians. Their debut album called Monument was released in 2007 and I didn’t hear of them until recently (2019). This band is beyond phenomenal. If you have heard their songs “Mass” and “Black Hills” you will know what I am talking about. These songs are brilliantly composed and they keep you interested in every way possible.
Ihsahn
Ihsahn is a Norwegian musician who is a very talented composer. He composes some of the most interesting music I have ever heard. This particular song, “On The Shores”, which was released in 2010, will blow your mind away. The way he constructs the song is phenomenal and it feels like you are walking through a level of a video game or watching an epic movie. Please check this artist out if you aren’t familiar with his music yet. You won’t regret it.
All Shall Perish
All Shall Perish is an American deathcore band. If you haven’t heard of them before, you should look them up immediately! They are amazing and create the best music I have ever heard. This band doesn’t necessarily have to do with 8 string guitars, but I included them because they are one of my favorite bands. The songs “Black Goal Reign” and “Wage Slaves” are must listens if it interests you at all.
Volumes
Volumes is an American progressive metal band. I really love this band and their song “Void” is one of my favorite songs of all time. It will blow your mind away without fail. Please check out the whole album, it’s excellent. Please make sure to listen to this song in particular as a preview of what the album has to offer and I guarantee you won’t regret listening to this album or any other song on the album (I promise).
Outworld
Outworld is a band from the USA. They are fairly new as far as metal bands are considered, with their debut album being released in 2006. I have only heard of them within the past year or two and this song called “The Never” is one if the best songs I have ever heard. I don’t even know how this is possible, but it will blow your mind away for sure.
Uneven Structure
This band is unbelievable. The only song I can really show you from them is their newest album called “Paragon”. It portrays exactly the way this band makes you feel when listening to them. Their songs are very interesting and the music video is up there with the best as well. Check them out if you haven’t already, they are one of my favorite bands and they will not disappoint you in any way, shape or form (promise).
Conclusion
Check out these related articles too – best scale length for 8 string guitars and 8 string guitar tunings.
Well, that’s all I have to say about this genre. If you are interested in checking any of these bands out or learning more about them, please let me know by commenting below and I will do what I can to help you out. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and enjoy your metal!