Top 5 – Iconic Anthems of Scandinavian "Black Metal"

Plots, burning of Christian churches, suicides, murders, hate crimes, paganism. Beyond that, a return to ancestral beliefs, satanism, extreme political views, philosophy, mysticism, Tolkien, and the "occult" element. All these are the basic ingredients that make up the dark and enchanting image of the Norwegian "Black Metal" scene.

A sound harsh, abrupt, otherworldly, yet at the same time mysterious and melodic springs forth, steering clear of the polished productions of the broader metal scene. A bunch of "kids" from small, quiet, and mostly Christian towns around the gorgeous Telemark (and generally the wider Bergen area) of Norway, were destined to shake the world to its foundations with their extreme actions and above all with their music.

Let's take a look at the 5 most important tracks (in our opinion always), so the old-timers of the genre can remember and the… curious ones can learn!

Image caption: (The unholy basement of Euronymous's record shop in Bergen as it survives today. This is where murders and church arsons were plotted, while at the same time it served as a source of inspiration for one of the most iconic and recognizable genres of music on the planet).

Anthems of Scandinavian "Black Metal" N.1. Burzum – Dunkelheit (Filosofem-1993)

The story of the man behind the persona of "Count Grishnackh", or otherwise "Burzum", would need an entire book. But since this is a humble Top 5, let's settle for a simple introduction. Known for quite a few things, Varg Vikernes runs the one-man-band "Burzum". He's also played bass inMayhem, but that ended with 14 stab wounds toEuronymous, the band's brains at the time.

Beyond the murder of Øystein Aarseth  (Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth), Vikernes has also been convicted for the arson of several Christian churches in the wider Bergen area (mostly churches that had been built on Scandinavian sites of pagan worship). Now released from prison, he lives in France with his wife and kids, while he recently became, for a short while, a famous "Youtuber" going by the name "Thulean Perspective".

Dunkelheit comes from the 1993 album "Filosofem" and (along with the next track) remains to this day one of the most iconic works of the Black Metal scene.

With the "Lo-fi" sound absolutely shredding, Burzum creates a dark world with the most minimalist approach while the melody is simple and hypnotic… Burzum creates a dark world with the most minimalist approach while the melody is simple and hypnotic…

P.S. We may not be able to embed a link to the song on Youtube since a mere mention of the name is treated as "hate speech" by Facebook. Also, although it should be obvious to people of our generation, we want to make clear at this point that we do not endorse any "extreme" beliefs that Varg Vikernes may hold (or may have held in the past), or any Varg Vikernes for that matter. Fuzzy Hound concerns itself purely and solely with the musical aspect, without of course judging or condemning, always separating the artist from his art. Varg Vikernes or every Varg Vikernes. Fuzzy Hound concerns itself purely and solely with the musical aspect, without of course judging or condemning, always separating the artist from his art.

Anthems of Scandinavian "Black Metal" N.2. Mayhem – Freezing Moon (De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, 1992-1994)

The name Mayhem is linked to many things. Many, when they hear it, think of the cold-blooded murder of Øystein Aarseth  (Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth) by the band's then-bassist  Varg Vikernes. Others remember the horrific suicide of the original singer "Dead” Per Yngve Ohlin, (the man who inspired the "shrieking vocals" that became standard in Black Metal , as well as Corpse Paint: white-black makeup in the form of a mask). Finally, others simply remember the unforgettable first time they heard the surreal and iconic intro of Freezing Moon…

"When it's cold and when it's dark, the Freezing Moon can obssess you", Dead howls into the night. And immediately it's accompanied by the most satanic riff ever written in the history of music. No further words needed.

P.S. The version we recommend isn't from the legendary album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, since in place of Dead (who had already committed suicide by the time recording started), it's Attila Csiharsinging. Personally, I consider the version with Dead automatically better, if not fairer to his memory and to his unique and pioneering contribution to this extreme scene.

Anthems of Scandinavian "Black Metal" N.3: Emperor – I Am The Black Wizards (In The Nightside Eclipse-1994)

If the previous 2 artists became known mainly for the dark history behind their actions, Emperor (Emperor), are exactly the opposite. The band from the relatively poor Telemark area of Norway managed to stand out on the musical firmament basically due to their talent. Of course, drama wasn't lacking either, since it seems to be a key ingredient in the genre… 

Their then-drummer, going by the nickname Faust, took part in the murder of a man along with Jon Nödtveidt of Dissection. On the other hand, Samoth, who remains an integral member of the band to this day, was convicted of arson attacks on Christian churches.

Emperor, having released 4 excellent albums up until 2001

Emperor Emperor, having released 4 excellent albums up until 2001 (some thankfully choose to stop right at their zenith, ahem ahem Mr. Hetfield). They continue to this day to make select live appearances in various countries, mainly in Europe and America (and recently, after an agonizing 27-year wait, they even visited our own country). They thus resurrect the magic of Black Metal every time they take the stage.

The epic we chose is none other than I Am The Black Wizards, from their first album, In The Nightside Eclipse. Turn off the lights, pour a glass of good red wine, and enjoy the dark genius of Ihsahn and Samoth.

Anthems of Scandinavian "Black Metal" N.4 Satyricon – Mother North (Nemesis Divina – 1996)

We find ourselves in the blessed year 1996, and while Norwegian Black Metal continues to conquer (metal) Europe, a relatively "smaller" band (but nonetheless within Euronymous's inner circle) named Satyriconreleases their 3^rd album, "Nemesis Divina". With color now on the cover, almost blasphemy for the scene back then, it changes everything.  

Having now found their true sound, Satyr (guitar, vocals) Frost (drums), and with the valuable help of Kveldulv (also known as Nocturno Culto from Darkthrone), manage to break the standards of the era. With a slightly cleaner approach to the album's production, without however losing the scene's trademark sound. They write the ultimate anti-Christian (or pro-Scandinavian, however you want to see it) anthem that goes by the name, Mother North.

Mother North Mother North is the first serious music video from a Black Metal band in history. It keeps the orthodox harsh and melodic sound of previous years. It fondly and melancholically reminisces about the pre-Christian historical periods of Norway. It promises that they themselves will be present when the Ghost of the North hunts down "enemies" all the way to the frozen sea…

P.S. Here we recommend you watch the "Uncensored" video clip of the track, since it's legendary by now. Warning, it has relatively harsh imagery (hence the "uncensored"). This particular video clip was released 2-3 years after the initial uproar the scene caused in Norway. It manages to perfectly capture the… magic of this music.

Anthems of Scandinavian "Black Metal" N. Darkthrone – Transilvanian Hunger (Transilvanian Hunger – 1994)

They advertise themselves as "the most hated band in the world". In reality they're perhaps the "nicest guys" in the "scene" (relatively speaking, of course). We're talking about Darkthrone, a band made up of two of the most legendary figures in the music world (in general) of Norway, Fenriz and Nocturno Culto.

Having started out in 1986 as a Death Metal band (!), influenced by events and "bad company", they embrace the dark magic of Black Metal. They release the "Unholy Trinity" of albums, as it's called by the masters of the genre (A Blaze in the Northern Sky (1992), Under a Funeral Moon (1993) and Transilvanian Hunger (1994)). Their main trademark, the extremely "Lo-fi" productions, which create an otherworldly and frozen sound, and their stubborn refusal to play live (simply because it's not their thing).

Darkthrone Darkthrone may have moved on by now, looking back fondly on the extreme situations they experienced alongside the pioneers of the movement. They will forever be among the most important members of the madness that swept over frozen Norway in the 1990s. Their modern releases are respectable and worthwhile, having a sound entirely their own.

The track chosen could be none other than "Transilvanian Hunger" from the album of the same name, since it's Black Metal personified. A difficult listen for a newcomer to the genre, but certainly one of its most "historic" tracks.

So pure…. So cold….

Finally, some "honourable mentions", for those who managed to reach the end of the article and decided to get initiated into this unholy world.

Dissection – The Somberlain

Immortal – The Call of the Wintermoon

Gorgoroth – Possessed by Satan

Dimmu Borgir – Mourning Palace

Windir – Journey to the End