Is black metal or death metal worth listening to?

[renard_ruse]

Sorry, I'm old, I don't know anything about modern black metal or death metal. I used to like Venom about like 100 years ago though, back before anyone really heard of it so maybe I should give it a try. I've always liked traditional metal, thrash, and punk, but been ignoring new stuff for about 20 years.

I probably wouldn't even recognize modern black metal if I heard it. All I know is that the band names sound like overdone cliches, like they are trying way to hard to be ominous or something. Is the music any good? Any recommendations of good bands to check out? I read that the difference between black metal and death metal is the vocal style, but I wouldn't know the difference. Is one better than the other?

 

[SugarBunny2012]

Many good Death Metal recommendations could be made, it is still a very popular genre. Especially if you are into melodic death which is quite mainstream with bands like Amon Amarth and Children of Bodom.

Black Metal obviously never found mainstream acceptance because that would kind of defeat the purpose. Some bands will still use the tag, but they are not truly black metal. Cradle of Filth and Satyricon are good examples. Both started as black metal bands and then eventually went into "extreme Gothic metal" and... hell idk what Satyricon is anymore, "Happy Black Metal"? Not that there is anything wrong with that, I adore Cradle of Filth. Dani is a genius at writing lyrics and they have some incredibly romantic songs. True Black Metal does still exist, I just rarely make recommendations because that is such a niche genre it is next to impossible unless someone has your taste. Truth be told I was shocked to even see this topic come up.

Listen to these songs briefly and tell me if you like any of them, I can make more accurate recommendations based on that.


Amon Amarth - War of the Gods (Melodic Death Metal)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVAQQujgSxQ


Dismember - Where No Ghost Is Holy (Death Metal)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXP7M-5Q7Tc


Bal-Sagoth - Shackled to the Trilithon of Kutulu (Symphonic Black Metal)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j893OnQrd6w


Dissection - Where Dead Angels Lie (Melodic Black Metal)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q78Teqr2T6E


Rotting Christ - Keravnos Kyvernitos/The Sign of Prime Creation (Black Metal)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syMDP5xhCbo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3oUimTmQB8

 

[renard_ruse]

Ah, now I remember why I've never gotten into this. The vocals are obnoxious and have no range, and the lyrical themes appear to be nothing more that anti-religion propaganda. From some of the comments, it appears that fans of this genre don't even believe in Satan (or anthing else), so I'm not sure what all the point of all the dark ominous imagery is. Obviously, not my thing but thanks for the links. I gave it a try.

 

[SugarBunny2012]

To believe in Satan would be to acknowledge an aspect of Christianity. Most bands do not claim to be satanist, the lyrics and imagery are just a time honored part of metal culture (thanks largely in part to ill-informed bible thumpers) and they roll with it. Glorification of Pre-Christian European Pagan customs and ideals is just as large of a staple of metal as the satanic stuff is. All about imagery and the mood.

Perfectly correct though, not for everyone! Glad I could help all the same.

 

[1fromawoodpile]

Listen to Screwdriver.

 

[Morcheeba]

What the FUCK is someone named SugarBunny2012 doing discussing Death Metal in here?

 

[Morcheeba]

To believe in Satan would be to acknowledge an aspect of Christianity. Most bands do not claim to be satanist, the lyrics and imagery are just a time honored part of metal culture (thanks largely in part to ill-informed bible thumpers) and they roll with it. Glorification of Pre-Christian European Pagan customs and ideals is just as large of a staple of metal as the satanic stuff is. All about imagery and the mood.

Perfectly correct though, not for everyone! Glad I could help all the same.

Dude, you give quite a spin here. What's with the name sugarbunny?

 

[SugarBunny2012]

The name SugarBunny is an inside joke, if anyone actually knows what a Sugarbunny, is rest assured I am not one.

As far as music goes, I listen to just about everything. My play list will go from Rotting Christ to Rod Stewart and everything in between. Go to a melodic death or black metal concert and see how many girls are around, metal is no longer a completely male dominated art.

http://i49.tinypic.com/112ejux.jpg

 

[Morcheeba]

Oh, so you're a woman.

I can't believe I didn't suspect that before. My bad.