This article definitely was the hardest one for me to compose due to the fact the subject it deals with, is more than actual and serious. Nevertheless, let's start with a digression into past time, or in fact, those times when black metal finally appeared as a particular genre. Of course, there are few (or most likely, more than just a few) who seriously consider that BM came into this world with such acts as MAYHEM and DARKTHRONE. Sorry, but that is pure crap. In my view, it all started with DEATH SS, VENOM, later - BULLDOZER, SODOM, HELLHAMMER as well as few others. And of course, BATHORY. First of all, what's the main difference between "this" and "that"? Well, I believe it's the fact most of those bands never took it so seriously as it may be seen taking, for instance, Norwegian black metal scene in late eighties / early nineties. Some kind of primitive devil-worshipping (not exactly a satanism, but more likely a plain kind of rebellion) mixed with sardonic, black humour - with VENOM serving as a perfect example. The same goes for BULLDOZER and DEATH SS. Everything's a bit different with others, but later about them. Furthermore, what about music? Taking roots in punk rock, these individuals made it no less plain and in-your-face, although still a bit more intelligent. The musical canvas was fairly primitive, anyway. Based on typical three (or less!) chords, it was perceived as no less but a weak imitation of what real music should sound alike. You have to agree with me that SEX PISTOLS were much more advanced in terms of approach to music and, actually, the musicianship. In fact, the same went for the lyrics, which strangely combined such themes as satanism (should I say that none of them hadn't any advanced knowledge of the occult? I bet, even Crowley was unfamiliar name to them), rebellion against society, alcohol and... fun. See the difference? Few of these bands survived and developed both music and lyrics (DEATH SS (music), VENOM (music and lyrics, yes; but only in nineties with "The Waste Lands", "Cast In Stone" and "Resurrection"!), sometimes even trying to explore new territories. Anyway, if a neophyte black metal fan once has listened to these bands nowadays, he most possibly would never reckon 'em to black metal.
What's further? Ah yes, it's, let's say, a second black metal generation started shortly after the first one's birth. Of course, BATHORY is a leading star. I guess, there's no need to describe their works, both former and present; one thing is sure - they didn't betray their style (I wouldn't say that developing a "viking metal" genre is a betrayal). And what's more, even first-ever LP by Quorthon sounds no less black metal nowadays, even though it's, of course, pretty archaic and primitive effort. Secondly, he created that inimitable mysterious and somewhat anxious atmosphere surrounding his own and the band's name. Rather important thing, too. Although he was not so serious about all this, no doubts.
I guess, we'll have to skip MERCYFUL FATE / KING DIAMOND in this article, since this is TOO different thing to be discussed here and, besides that, King definitely deserves an article devoted solely to his person.
Proceeding with this subject... Ladies and gentlemen, here comes HELLHAMMER! Or CELTIC FROST? Doesn't matter, really. They've drastically changed their direction with years, but that was an important (and different to the "first generation") phase too.
POSSESSED? Yes, they were brutal. Yes, "dark and evil", heh heh. However, I wouldn't say they gave a boost to BM movement; "death metal" is the keyword, I believe.
Finally, the third generation, the one that's most close to present times, represented with bands like MAYHEM, TORMENTOR, (more or less) SADISTIK EXEKUTION and few others as well. Actually, most of them started almost at the same time as f.ex. CELTIC FROST (I do not say "Hellhammer", because these ones were formed long before that... Late seventies, to be exact) and POSSESSED, however they are so different when it comes to overall perception, general sound, vocals and yes - roots. What's the reason explaining they sounded unlike their predecessors, such as VENOM? Well, there're many, and I can't really say for sure which one is right. First of all, it is BATHORY. Yes, BATHORY, who influenced ALL (!) (or at least 90%) of black metal bands formed between 1985 - 2000. Their approach to music and (anti)religion, lyrics (much more thoughtout if comparing 'em to those by DEATH SS, for instance), chaotic sound and... vocals. I guess, we should blame it on Quorthon, since he seemed to be the first one in black metal's first / second generation who developed such a voice (even though he says it all came spontaneously: "In the beginning I didn't even scream. I sang with a usual voice until, once, I fooled about singing at a rehearsal and tried to spawn something brutal out of my throat. It came out great, so later I moved to those "screaming" vocals!"). Secondly, it's the everlasting craving for more and more brutal sound and attitude... Thirdly, perhaps a lack of proper eqipment...? That may sound unbelievable, but dirty sound turned out as quite brutal afterall, so...
Anyway, what did those bands offer us, the listeners? Straight-forward and pretty thoughtless metal, which is, to be honest, seems to be more on a death metal side. Let's just recall early SEPULTURA (that genius "Bestial Devastation" MLP) and the ones I've already mentioned, SADISTIK EXEKUTION, with their "The Magus". Furthermore, they didn't even consider it black metal! Who did? MAYHEM. MAYHEM, whose first "recordings" were even less black metallish than the ones by aforementioned bands!
One may wonder if it really was black metal? Who knows... I don't have an answer to this question.
Late eighties also saw the birth of many acts who later gained certain status worldwide, with some of them even becoming "cult" or "legendary" bands, such as ABSU, ROTTING CHRIST, NECROMANTIA, VARATHRON, IMMORTAL, DARKTHRONE, ROOT, MYSTIFIER, SAMAEL, OLD FUNERAL, MORBID, DISSECTION, ABRUPTUM; and the list goes on... I guess, it's needless to say that (early) nineties brought forth the light already a numerous horde of newborn Satan worshippers... This is already a modern generation, I believe. At least, even if some of them (or let's better say, some of their early works) sound quite (very) archaic and old-fashioned to our ears, these are the same demo tapes / LPs which discovered the path most of contemporary BM acts prefer to embark on (with an exception for such as WARHAMMER, of course).
And now enough with history; let's move to modern age.
Of course, black metal movement endured inimaginable metamorphosis during some three / five years and now we consider black metal those who would be never considered to be the ones if they played the same a decade before. Of course, the development of new technologies made things muddled up a bit, also serving as a perfect tool of progress in exploring new musical horizons, even though some say it's nothing but a violation of the old spirit.
Back then, f.ex. in the year of 1988, who could possibly imagine that certain BM group would incorporate violins, female vocals or (ah, that's most horrible!) even saxophone... orchestra and opera singers in their sound??? No one. Moreover, let me assume that even I would laugh if somebody told me such a nonsense 12 years ago... Is it bad or is it good? Progress or regress? Development or betrayal?
First of all, I think that we should answer a question: what is black metal nowadays?
Satanic (or antichristian) lyrics / attitude, brutal music...? Ok, so what about MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE, SINISTER, VADER...? Should we reckon 'em to black metal?
Screaming / shrieking-alike vocals? Lyrics that are just "dark", not necessarily "satanic"? Well, DARK TRANQUILLITY's singer has exactly this kind of voice and their lyrics are dark... The same with AT THE GATES.
And what about ABRUPTUM then? It's not metal at all...
I guess, you got the point. You see, today we behold unique amalgamation of various styles within the bounds of metal genre and sometimes it's really hard to differ death metal band from a black metal one. And with the uprising of "noise / industrial" and "dark ambient" movements it seems to be almost impossible.
If you expect that I will find a solution to this problem (?), forget about it. I cannot.
Changing the subject, I feel I have to say that at least in my view BM is most perspective genre in extreme music nowadays. There’re no limits for various experiments and self-development, therefore I’m absolutely assured that this genre will stay prosperous for a long, long time since now... Let’s take heavy metal or grindcore, for example. Both have strict bounds, and if you dare to ignore them, your music turns into something else; look at AMORPHIS. In the beginning of 90’s everyone considered them to be a death metal band, but since they changed their sound (doesn't matter "how", really), this band certainly became different and today’s AMORPHIS undoubtedly cannot be categorized as 'death metal'. As to contemporary black metal; it may come in furious, raw and straightforward shape (DARK FUNERAL, MANIAC BUTCHER, MARDUK), as well as atmospheric, coming with a somewhat “floating” ambience (ARGENTUM, OPERA IX, ESOTERIC), rather poetic (ARCTURUS, RAKOTH, FOREST OF SOULS), utterly sublime, being this word’s very essence (BAL SAGOTH, MYTHOLOGICAL COLD TOWERS, SUMMONING)… well, maybe that's a paradox, but no one seems to get astonished once he hears “progressive black metal” definition (PECCATUM, ARCANE SUN, HEIDENREICH). Furthermore, today we see more and more neophyte bands who contrive to combine various styles with BM, be it any particular style within metal, or any other kind of music. Perhaps, “black / jazz” is the only combo I haven’t heard yet.
Talking about trends... Well, here goes assertion which I seemingly stated for thousand times, and going to repeat it for one more time here: I've been into music business for a long time and currently appear as two bands' manager, so don't you tell me that it's possible to get any serious profits of black metal! Yes, if you've been enough successful to get a deal with honest label which, moreover, has a wide distribution service and whose promotional work is at least above average... well yes, you'll get some bucks. However, there're only FEW, hear me? FEW! Few black metal bands in the whole world who can possibly live of their music. And I don't see anything bad in it at all. I just hate when I hear someone saying that "true black metal" recordings shouldn't be widely spread besides the fact they also shouldn't be well recorded. What a nonsense! It doesn't matter if you sell your tape to 100 or 100000 souls. It doesn't matter at all! And furthermore, if you're so true; why wouldn't you tresspass the master-copy to certain record company and let 'em do what they want, thus earning 0$ off the sales?? But no, you discuss each clause of the record agreement for many hours, trying to get all possible profitable points! Yeah, that's definitely a "true" attitude...!
And by the way, what is "true"? Sincerity? Yes, then I completely agree with this term. But when you imply certain behaviour, beliefs, attitude and so and so forth, under this notion... well, I beg your pardon, but this is nothing but a bullshit. And just in case; don't you think that reckoning you and your band to the "true" movement, is nothing but a humble attempt to justify the worthlessness of your "music" this way?
All in all, consider me a poser if you want to (but please, no more phrases of "you're 10 years in black metal, while I've been into BM for 12 yrs, so I'm definitely truer than you!" kind), but I'd better listen to well-crafted, atmospheric and definitely sincere (!) work by f.ex. OLD MAN'S CHILD than some 1-chord shit by some 16-years old scumbag which is "true" just because it was recorded in a basement.
And finally, I'm more than glad with the way black metal goes on these years. It finally became music, which, as you probably know, is the SUPREME form of ART.
Praise the music and ignore the noise.