dark metal

From Doom to Darkness: A Groovy History of Dark Metal

Dark metal, a genre born from the depths of heavy metal, is a musical beast of many faces. It’s a swirling vortex of atmospheric dissonance, guttural growls, and a fascination with the darker corners of human existence. But don’t let the name fool you, dark metal is a genre brimming with humor – albeit of a twisted, macabre kind.

The Seeds of Darkness:

The roots of dark metal can be traced back to the early 80s, with bands like Black Sabbath, Venom, and Celtic Frost paving the way with their dark, occult-inspired themes and heavy riffs. These pioneers laid the groundwork for the later development of black metal, death metal, and doom metal, all branches of the dark metal family tree.

The Black Metal Storm:

Black metal, born in the harsh landscapes of Norway in the late 80s, took the darkness to a whole new level. Bands like Mayhem, Burzum, and Emperor created a raw, intense sound characterized by blast beats, tremolo picking, and a distinct satanic aesthetic. The black metal scene was steeped in controversy, with incidents of church burnings and even murder, adding to the mystique and infamy of the genre.

The Deathly Embrace of Death Metal:

Death metal, emerging around the same time as black metal, took a different path. Bands like Death, Cannibal Corpse, and Morbid Angel embraced a more technical and brutal sound, focusing on gruesome lyrics and technical riffs. Death metal often uses complex rhythms and sophisticated songwriting, showcasing a darker side of technical proficiency.

Doom’s Melancholic Embrace:

Doom metal, as its name suggests, is a slower, more atmospheric subgenre of dark metal. Bands like Black Sabbath, Candlemass, and Electric Wizard revel in the dark, heavy, and often melancholic side of the metal spectrum. Their music creates a feeling of doom, despair, and introspective contemplation.

The Humor of the Dark Side:

While dark metal might seem like a serious and brooding affair, it’s also full of bizarre, humorous moments. Here are a few examples:

• The “Goat Whore” incident: Mayhem’s infamous vocalist, Dead, committed suicide in 1991. The band’s bassist, Euronymous, decided to take a photo of Dead’s body and use it as the cover art for their demo. He also replaced Dead’s skull with a goat head, an incident that became infamous in black metal lore.
• The “Mutilation Ritual” hoax: A rumor circulated in the 90s about a black metal band performing a ritualistic murder and mutilation on stage. It turned out to be a hoax, but it illustrates the dark and often absurd nature of the genre.
• The “Nazi Black Metal” controversy: Some black metal bands have been associated with far-right ideologies, which has led to controversy and accusations of extremism. This unfortunate reality adds a layer of irony to a genre often associated with anti-authoritarian themes.

Dark metal, with its unique blend of darkness, heaviness, and absurdity, is a genre that continues to challenge and intrigue listeners. Its history is full of controversy, humor, and an undeniably passionate dedication to the dark side of music.