Black Metal

[Emplate]

Hype or not, Iceland really keeps on giving to this genre. Just listened to Draugsol's debut album "Volaða Land", and it sounds great. Dark and oppressive, yet melodic and epic. https://draugsol.bandcamp.com/album/vola-a-land

[Godflesh]

Draugsol sounds great!

[winterburner]

Am I the only one who's not getting at all into this Icelandic BM scene? I mean, Misþyrming, Skáphe, what have you. All too blasty and noisy for my tastes.

I probs sound like a pop music fan or something, hah.

[hugo]

yeah go back to your funeral jazz or whatever :p

EDIT: I love the Draugsol vinyl description, they sound great at level-setting expectations:

-Black 12″ (140g) with B/W labels in a white paper bag.

-Simple jacket, B/W on 280gsm stock, coated paper, with 3mm spine, in PVC plastic bags.

[Emplate]

Am I the only one who's not getting at all into this Icelandic BM scene? I mean, Misþyrming, Skáphe, what have you. All too blasty and noisy for my tastes.

I probs sound like a pop music fan or something, hah.

Yeah, well, I myself grew tired quite quickly with the whole atmospheric/post-black metal scene, which was in fashion some time ago, and to some extent I guess still is. There's of course always exceptions, but those bands often sound like a bunch of fairies and elves trying to play black metal. To me, this is music that shouldn't sound gentle, soft or "nice". Even though I'm not a huge fan of "what is black metal and what is not" sort of discussion, I can't help thinking it could be debated whether bands possessing those kind of traits are black metal at all. Of course, what I think about it doesn't really matter in the long run. I can live with them being called "black metal", and they don't need my or anyone else's approval.

I like my black metal dark and almost claustrophobic in nature, but spiced with occasional melodies. Many of the Icelandic bands, Misþyrming, Zhrine, Naðra and even Svartidauði for instance, offer just that. It's funny how there's suddenly a shitload of bands which fit to my liking almost perfectly. They have contrast, yet they in some mystic way maintain the genre's innermost ethos. I guess a lot of people feel skeptic about these bands because of the hype around them, but I really feel they do their thing with honesty and even fury. I'm also pretty sure, when talking about metal crowd, there's always this cool guy attitude involved which makes people despise anything even least popular. (Of course not meaning you in this case, Winterburner. Your comment just raised these thoughts :) )

I actually thought about this whole scene and hype thing just recently, since I just saw many of these bands live. I have at some point found myself questioning myself for liking the Icelandic scene. I know this might sound silly, but it's just how a mind works sometimes. Had I just been influenced by the hype? In some way, of course. There has been this buzz around the Icelandic bands for a few years now, and that's how I guess I spotted some of them. Although I remember hearing Misþyrming for the first time and digging it even without realizing its country of origin. But then I thought to myself that even though hype is often thought of as a negative phenomenon, it usually finds its way around things that are genuine. Right now there's this small collective of bands in a small town which create great music, but this is how scenes born and work. They spawn from a small circle of like-minded people, who have a fire burning inside them. Often this fire spreads. I think this is how, for example, Norwegian bands started out, and like Norwegian black metal and any other scene, the Icelandic scene will too regress at some point. But until then I'm going to warm myself in their fire, since right now it's burning very strong.

Edit: Oh yes, ordered the Draugsól vinyl.

[winterburner]

Jesus, didn't expect that kinda reply. Great analysis - think you're right on many things there.

Personally I've always been very picky about the music I like, and particularly when it comes to extreme metal. Big fan of atmospheric post whatever nonsense, but only like a handful of those bands in the end. I don't give two shits about what black metal, or any genre whatsoever, should or should not be. Just don't find that claustrophobic, unsettling vibe enjoyable. Then again, I've come to notice that the music I find enjoyable and interestinf is most often of the kind that creates great and unique atmospheres and whatnot. I also want melody in my music - despite liking metal, I don't really like classic heavy metal, death or thrash metal at all. Black metal sometimes works even devoid of melodies.

Sent from mTalk

[Emplate]

Jesus, didn't expect that kinda reply. Great analysis - think you're right on many things there.

Personally I've always been very picky about the music I like, and particularly when it comes to extreme metal. Big fan of atmospheric post whatever nonsense, but only like a handful of those bands in the end. I don't give two shits about what black metal, or any genre whatsoever, should or should not be. Just don't find that claustrophobic, unsettling vibe enjoyable. Then again, I've come to notice that the music I find enjoyable and interestinf is most often of the kind  that creates great and unique atmospheres and whatnot. I also want melody in my music - despite liking metal, I don't really like classic heavy metal, death or thrash metal at all. Black metal sometimes works even devoid of melodies.

Sent from mTalk

Heh, hope my random rambling didn't come too much out of the blue :) My writing was not meant to be directed so much to you as on a general level, although I replied to your comment. Your post just brought these thoughts I've had to my mind, so it offered a fitting platform :) I, of course, could've probably been more clear about that. But I love to babble about things I feel strongly about, e.g. music!

I'd say I'm also quite picky about the music I like. Many of the modern and polished metal acts sound indifferent to me. And there's loads and loads of bands which are considered "extreme metal", even though they sound as artificial and plastic as the more mainstream ones. And I think you actually found a crucial point in black metal. If the music's honest and has a burning emotion in it, and the creator truly believes in what he/she is doing, what anyone else thinks means nothing.

[winterburner]

I thought it was clear you weren't pointing at me, don't ya worry

Sent from mTalk

[Dementsprechend]

Enjoyable read!

Does anyone of you know Tod Huetet Uebel´s - Malicia?
They are from Portugal and not from Iceland but the whole talk reminded me of them, maybe because I stumbled upon that album
the same time as those Iceland BM bands--similar sound in some parts, but with more early Bethlehem insanity in the voice.
For me that thing is both--demanding and rewarding--

https://todhuetetuebel.bandcamp.com/album/mal-cia


They don`t have a vinyl output so far but I hope that this will happen sooner or later---

[winterburner]

New Ghost Bath for those interested. Not as good as Moonlover, but I like it.