Blodsrit
(Sweden)
Pure Black Metal. No frills here at all, just 100% hateful majesty.
The closest thing you’ll hear to an “effect” is a
flanger on the guitar. The vocals are bitter and cold; the drumming
is subdued in the mix but is very well done. The guitar work harmonizes
well, and the total atmosphere is frozen darkness. The production is
low, but the music comes through it well. My fave pick is “Secrets
Unveiled”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/55/blodsrit.html
Blot
Mine (Sweden)
Blazing Black Metal played in the mid-90’s vein, with reverbed
guitars and echoed vocals. No keys on this effort, just the basics.
Vocals are wicked and totally grim, very well done. Tempos change from
fast and driving to slow and very heavy. Production is good, musicianship
is excellent. This is very good. My fave pick is “Sha Nagba Imuru”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/52/blot_mine.html
Chaosdaemon
(Sweden)
Blistering and raging Black Metal, unbelievable speed. Guitars simply
shred, drums blaze through blastbeats and inventive fills, and the vocals
are harsh and completely bitter. Musicianship is excellent, production
is great. My fave pick is “The Return Of The Ancient Ones”
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/69/chaosdaemon.html
Craft
(Sweden)
Trashing and blasting Black Metal that breaks down into crawling heaviness
in parts. Vocals vary from grim and frozen to shrill screams. The guitar
work is well done; with some 80’s style fills. Drumming is effective
and driven. Sound effects add to the already dark atmosphere. Production
is low, musicianship is decent. My fave pick is “Death To Planet
Earth”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/40/craft.html
Cryptic
Art (Sweden)
Very heavy and atmospheric, slower tempo punctuated by hard driving
drumming. Rich in sorrowful emotion and bitter hatred translated into
sound by moaning guitars, deep toned keys, and angrily shouted vocals.
Production is very good, musicianship is excellent. My fave pick is
“Beyond The Fog”. Also, be sure to check out their former
incarnation as Black Winter.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/69/black_winter.html
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/68/mournfull.html
Cult
Of December (Sweden)
Raw and minimal Black Metal, pure in sound and in intent. Driving guitars
create the atmosphere, the drumming is pretty solid, and the vocals
are grim and harsh. Musicianship is decent, production is good. My fave
pick is “Skymningen Faller” http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/501/cult_of_december.html
Dark
Funeral (Sweden)
Undoubtedly one of the most well known band from the Swedish Black Metal
scene, Dark Funeral has spent their career creating absolutely intense
and blasting Black Metal with no frills, just speed, hatred, and pure
aggression. This MP3 link has one song. Seek their other offerings.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/295/dark_funeral.html
Dissection
(Sweden)
Another “famous” band from the Swedish Black Metal scene.
Dissection plays an eclectic mix of Black and Death with fast, hard
driving melodies and aggressive rhythms. This is another “must
get” band. One song on the MP3 link, seek their other offerings.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/295/dissection.html
Dodfodd
(Sweden)
Slow and very heavy, a crushing approach that creates atmosphere through
distant-sounding guitars, bizarre bass work, very involved drumming,
and wickedly screamed vocals. While the band does step the tempo up
occasionally, the overall approach is very slow, very heavy, and very
well done. My fave pick is “"Besvärjelse för omvänd
rekreation"
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/489/dodfodd.html
Diabolical
Masquerade (Sweden)
This band corners the market in Melodic Black Metal from Sweden. With
two of the biggest known names in the scene (Swano and Blakkheim) Diabolical
Masquerade gets a lot of attention, and it is well deserved. The MP3
selection on this link is hardly an example of the many offerings they
have. Seek this band out.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/224/diabolical_masquerade.html
Eternal
Autumn (Sweden)
Blackened Death Metal, or Death-influenced Black Metal? You be the judge.
Very involved and heavy sound that is rich in harmony, crushing drum
work, and disturbingly wicked vocals. Musicianship is perfect, production
is top of the line. My fave pick is “In A Land Dawn Never Reached”
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/295/eternal_autumn.html
Goatworship
(Sweden)
Melodic and hard driving Black Metal. Guitars change up from grinding
to harmonic, drumming is non-stop blasting, and the vocals are bitter
and spitting. Nice piano interlude catches you by surprise. Musicianship
is excellent, production is above average. My fave pick is “Symphony
Of The Stars”
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/124/goatworship.html
Immemoreal
(Sweden)
Incredibly hard and vicious, with noticeable Thrash and Death influences,
but still maintains to stay within the realms of Black Metal. The vocals
are harsh, the drumming is an aggressive barrage, and the guitars wail
to create a huge wall of sound. Production is average, the musicianship
is well done. My fave pick is “The Curse Of Chaos”
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/256/immemoreal.html
Inquisition
(Sweden)
Hard and angry, uses limited keys for atmospheric effect; this is a
very guitar-driven sound. Vocals are forced and very harsh, the drumming
is controlled chaos. Decent production, good musicianship displayed.
The overall feeling from this is just hateful and very angry. My fave
pick is “Annihilation”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/363/inquisition1.html
Legion
(Sweden)
Ultra-fast hyper blasting furious Black Metal. Absolutely over the top
in all aspects. The drumming is incredibly fast and full of well done
fills. The guitarist’s fingers smoke up and down the fret board,
and the vocals are delivered in screaming hatred and spite. Musicianship
is excellent, production is great.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/471/legion_swe.html
Libricum
(Sweden)
Mixing blasting assaults with sweeping melodic symphony, Libricum is
the embodiment of beauty and brutality. Lots of melodic changeups and
repetitive rhythms, and a solid wall of aggressive sound. Musicianship
is great, production is decent. My fave pick is “…As Gloomy
Nightfall Shatters”
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/175/libricum.html
Litania
(Sweden)
Raw old sound, simplistic in approach but has a lot of harmony in the
guitar work. Drums are hard driving and straight, vocals are harsh and
strained screams throughout. Very aggressive overall. Musicianship is
decent, production is average. My fave pick is “Drömspel"
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/318/litania.html
Lord
Belial (Sweden)
Another “Heavy Hitter” in the Swedish Black Metal scene,
Lord Belial receives much less recognition than they deserve. Intense
and furious Black Metal, grim and uncompromising. Vocals epitomize darkness.
Two songs on this link. Be sure to check out the rest of their offerings,
they are mighty.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/295/lord_belial.html
Magog
(Sweden)
Aggressively melodic Black Metal with a solid folkish Viking influence.
Sweeping harmony and a truly epic sound dominates. Guitars are thick
and ever-present, the drumming is heavy and well done, the keys add
atmosphere but are not intrusive, and the vocals are truly bitter. The
folk instruments add an extra layer of sound that makes this a very
interesting band to listen to. Musicianship id excellent, production
is above average. My fave pick is “Free From Life Within”
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/278/magog_swe.html
Marduk
(Sweden)
One of the better known bands hailing from Sweden, Marduk is easily
counted in the number of “super groups” that have achieved
a noticeable level of success over the years. With a deep discography
and an absolutely brutal sound, Marduk easily lives up to the reputation
they have earned. The songs profiled here are a decent representation
of the offerings they have, so if you like this, be sure to check out
the rest of what they have to offer.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/283/marduk.html
Martyrum
(Sweden)
Thrash influenced Black Metal, intense and raging. Maintains melodic
harmony through the aggression and speed with excellent guitar work,
the drumming is varied between thick and heavy back beat to all out
blasting fury, the vocals are harsh and screamed. Musicianship is excellent,
production is very good. My fave pick is “Nordic Domain”
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/409/martyrum.html
Misericordia
(Sweden)
Crushing and blasting Black Metal, undeniable power and aggression.
Massive wall of sound is created through assaulting drums, shredding
guitars, and absolutely bitter and hateful vocals that change from deep
and roaring to splitting screeches. Musicianship is tight and well done,
production is above average.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/227/misericordia.html
Misteltein
(Sweden)
High-end aggressive Black Metal with Death Metal influences. Excellent
use of keys for ambiance, drums are driven and very well done, guitars
are grinding and very good. Vocals vary from deep guttural roars to
shrill screeches. Musicianship is top of the line, as well as the production.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/343/misteltein.html
Morannon
(Sweden)
Raw and pure hard driving Black Metal. Great melody, hard drumming,
and very grim vocals. Production is very low. This is a band that will
be overlooked for their production, and anyone who does so will miss
out on a very hard sound that is rich in melody and harmony. Musicianship
is decent. My fave pick is “Misanthropy Divine”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/497/morannon.html
Morthirim
(Sweden)
Aggressive and hard driving Black Metal with no frills. Melodic and
forceful guitars create the atmosphere; the drumming is an intense assault,
and the vocals use shrill screams and are deeply echoed for that bitter
and frozen sound. Musicianship is very good, production is decent. My
fave pick is “The 7th Knife”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/248/morthirim.html
Nattstrype
(Sweden)
Crushing Black Metal, pure and unrefined. There is nothing pretty about
this band whatsoever. Creating a sound that stands with any of the best
Black Metal bands I have ever heard, Nattstrype plays the music I think
of when I hear someone say “Black Metal”. This is an absolutely
essential band to check out. My fave pick is “Crown Of Thorns”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/299/nattstrype.html
Necromicon
(Sweden)
Melodic and heavy Black Metal with Death Metal influences in parts,
others are flat out pure Black Metal. Absolute wall of sound achieved
through intense and blazing drumming, shredding guitars, and screaming
grim vocals. Keys are light. Musicianship is excellent, production is
very good. My fave pick is “Dreams Of The Ancients”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/244/necromicon.html
Nephenzy
(Sweden)
Excellent blend of melody and aggression, from hard driving rhythms
to flat out speed. Drumming is incredible, and is a constant barrage
of hammering aggression. Guitars are upbeat and have great melodic runs.
Vocals are grim and as close to perfect as anyone could ever want for
that trademarked “grim Black Metal” sound. Musicianship
is excellent, production is great.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/158/nephenzy.html
Nortia
(Sweden)
Grim Black Metal with a frozen and distant sound. Guitars are inventive
and interesting with different runs and changeups, and are deeply reverbed
and thickly echoed for that mystical deep sound, drumming is energetic
and powerful, vocals are angry shouts of bitter disgust. I like this
a lot. Musicianship is very good, production is above average. My fave
pick is “Empires Of Fire”
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/90/nortia.html
Ophthalamia
(Sweden)
Rich and sweeping Melodic Black Metal, with various tempos from fast
and upbeat to a heavy crawl. Overall sound is very guitar driven with
powerful drumming in support. Vocals are grim and harsh. Musicianship
is excellent, production is top of the line. My fave pick is “Time
For War”. (Note- you might want to skip on “Elishias Mistresses
Gather” entirely…)
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/295/ophthalamia.html
Portal
(Sweden)
Hard driving and aggressive Black/Death. Vocals switch from Death to
Black seamlessly, the drumming is relentless, and the guitar work is
very well done, with a lot of emphasis on harmony. Production value
is decent, musicianship is tight and well done. My fave pick is “A
World Ago”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/94/-portal-.html
Sacramentum
(Sweden)
In their own words… “...a true metal fist in the face to
the current goth-laden and vampiric black metal scene”. I fully
agree. Hammering and absolutely unrestrained Black Metal. The drums
are an endless thunderstorm, the guitars are raging and very well done,
finding harmony in the heart of a musical maelstrom, and the vocals
are deeply shouted anger. Musicianship is excellent, production is high-end.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/23/sacramentum.html
Sapfhier
(Sweden)
Raging intense Black Metal, a purely massive wall of aggressive sound.
The drumming is insane, the keys are done well, the guitars are thrashing
yet melodic, and the vocals are distorted and very harsh. Musicianship
is good, production is average. My fave pick is "Gudadräparen".
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/309/sapfhier.html
Sorghegard
(Sweden)
Hard driving and aggressive Black Metal, has an “old” feeling
to it. Has some melody in parts. Drumming is a hammering assault, guitars
change from grinding wall of sound to melodic runs, vocals are bitter
and frozen. Musicianship is decent, production is low but it is not
bad. My fave pick is "Av lögn är ni lärd"
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/120/sorghegard.html
Sternenstaub
(Sweden)
Highly polished and top-end sound, this band excels in symphonic Black
Metal, and achieves a very epic sound. The vocals are a bit too far
back in the mix and very echoed, so the tone is lost a bit, but the
overall feel is icy and very cold. My fave pick is “Astronomica”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/302/sternenstaub.html
Thøkn
(Sweden)
Raw, minimalist and very heavy Black Metal. Has a deeply frozen and
darkly ambient sound thanks to the droning guitar buzz and deeply echoed
vocals. Musicianship is good, production is decent. My fave pick is
"Ødegardr".
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/318/t_r_o_l_l_s_t_o_r_m.html
Watain
(Sweden)
Very heavy with a constant assault, a thick wall of sound and energy
blasts throughout. The guitars are rich and well done, with some melody
here and there. The drumming is a constant barrage of hammering beats,
and the vocals are subdued and at times seem lost in the mix. The production
is not bad, but as stated before, the vocals get lost in the rest of
the sound at times. My fave pick is “Rabid Death’s Curse”.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/112/watain.html
Winterlunium
(Sweden)
Heavily melodic with beautiful acoustic pieces, straightforward and
well done Black Metal. Appears to be a one man project, and it is impressive.
Musicianship is outstanding, production is a bit off but it doesn’t
take away from the work one bit. My fave pick is “Fields Of Snow”
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/71/winterlunium.html