Black/Death Metal?

[JerryBrudos]

I'm interested in black and death metal and would like a few suggestions on some bands that would be an easy transition into the genres. My problem at the moment is the vocals and I find the guitar somewhat indifferentiable, although I am aware of the technical skill required.

The Black metal I'm familiar with is stuff like Venom and Merciful Fate and virtually no death metal. The heaviest stuff I listen to frequently is probably Megadeth or Testament.

Anyway looking forward to some suggestions.

[Xaris3514]

The best idea for starting into death metal possibly isn't death metal at all. Bands like Battlelore and Epica use death metal elements in completely different forms of metal. It might also be a good idea to check out some heavier thrash such as 3 Inches of Blood. However, if you want to jump straight in, go for the melodic stuff. Amon Amarth and In Flames are great choices here, Dethklok might also be a decent starting point, though they are closer to thrash with grunted vocals.

For the record, Amon Amarth is the band that I started with.

[afterstasis]

for black metal you may find some of the newer bands who experiment a bit more with the genre to your liking...
bands like lifelover, alcest, amesoeurs, the mausoleums, caina, wolves in the throne room, menace ruine, urfaust, while sad spirits around me stroll, spektr, circle of ouroborus, nachtmystium, velvet cacoon, and nuit noire all step pretty far outside the typical boundaries of the genre which oftentimes makes it easier for newcomers to get into...

if you check the link in my sig we have a music-blog where we upload mp3-mixes and i've got quite a few black metal entries you can check most of the bands out, along with quite a few others.
i'd suggest downloading a handful of 'em and seeing which bands you'd like to further explore.

[Hungryfreak]

For getting used to the guitar, you need to dive right in and just try distinguishing the individual parts with your ears. It sounds simple and, in fact, is simple, but it's very effective.

Also, as Afterstasis said, the blog has some good examples. Ive got a death metal mix and Afterstasis has several great black metal mixes.

[Soror_YZBL]

The best idea for starting into death metal possibly isn't death metal at all. Bands like Battlelore and Epica use death metal elements in completely different forms of metal. It might also be a good idea to check out some heavier thrash such as 3 Inches of Blood. However, if you want to jump straight in, go for the melodic stuff. Amon Amarth and In Flames are great choices here, Dethklok might also be a decent starting point, though they are closer to thrash with grunted vocals.

For the record, Amon Amarth is the band that I started with.

Epica = love.

For melodic death, i always recommend Arch Enemy.

[culturedog]

The Black metal I'm familiar with is stuff like Venom and Merciful Fate and virtually no death metal. The heaviest stuff I listen to frequently is probably Megadeth or Testament.

Anyway looking forward to some suggestions.

While Venom certainly are forefathers of black metal, you're going to hear a drastic difference between their sound and the genre that exploded with Mayhem, Burzum, Emperor, Darkthrone et al. in the 90's.

My best recommendation would be to start with a classic - grab a copy of Emperor's "In The Nightside Eclipse" and listen to it over a pair of good headphones late at night.

[Destnaru]

Children of Bodom
AKA CoB

I admittedly am not a big fan of death metal but CoB in my opinion is very good and I can actually stand to listen to them.
I believe that Alexi Liho is the best guitar player in the world both within and outside of that genre.
You really have to hear him play.

[JukeBoxHero]

Death-Spirit Crushers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRyl_p1z9Nw

Atheist-Unholy Wars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OgNftP8oU8

Some songs I recommend listening to if you want to simply start with the genre for death metal. Great songs that made me approach and really start listening to the genre.

[Pizza7]

2 words...

Opeth

[JerryBrudos]

So far Death (band) has impressed me the most but I also like Children of Bodom and some melodic death bands.

As far as Black goes Emperor has been my favorite but mayhem is cool at times, although I find the genre a bit harder to get into. Afterasis, I really appreciate the suggestions but the ones I listened to from those bands are a bit odd for now.

Which Death album would people recommend?

[coasterpunk]

Newer Carcass is more melodic then their older stuff Heartwork and Swan Songs are two albums you may be able to get into from them. I always loved Napalm Death's Harmony Corruption and Utopia Banished, heavy and brutal but not way over the top.

Black Metal is a tough one. All I could really suggest to you is Cradle of Filth or Dimmu Borgir. I personally love Marduk's World Funeral and Panzer Division Marduk.

Hopefully those will help you in the right direction! \m/

[JukeBoxHero]

I don't got the album, but I would recommend Symbolic for people wanting to getting into Death. The only album I have at the moment is Scream Bloody Gore.(Which, I really enjoy but perhaps not the best album to recommend).

Here are some songs from Symbolic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T82iwy8osWQ

Symbolic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i38m-xGX7io&feature=related

Crystal Mountain

Although if you are perhaps curious by Scream Bloody Gore, I'll link another song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBfiN849Utc

Zombie Ritual

[Mystlyfe77]

Children of Bodom
AKA CoB

I admittedly am not a big fan of death metal but CoB in my opinion is very good and I can actually stand to listen to them.
I believe that Alexi Liho is the best guitar player in the world both within and outside of that genre.
You really have to hear him play.

I'm sorry, but while Alexi Laiho is a great guitarist, he's not even the best guitarist in his own band, let alone the world.

[WhiffleBallTony]

One word: Bathory.

I started threads a while ago for each of these two genres. I'll see if I can dig them up since I was in your situation and got some great suggestions.

Here are some of my suggestions, though:

Wolves in the Throne Room
Rotting Christ
Darkthrone
Misery Index
Atheist
Cynic
Ebony Tears
(Early) In Flames
Death (a no brainer)
Vader
Morbid Angel
Burzum
At the Gates
Mayhem
Napalm Death
Opeth

If you want some specific albums from any, just let me know.

[JerryBrudos]

So far Baptized in Blood has really amazed me a very energetic song.

The rest of the Death suggestions were very helpful I plan on picking up both albums

Tony I'm currently working through your list what would a good Opeth album be?

[back_blows]

If you're into Melodeath and can't get into Ambient or Norwegian Black you might want to check out some Melodic or Symphonic Black Metal bands.

[Pavelent]

Burzum-Hvis Lyset Tar Oss is one of the best Black Metal songs ever made, but if you're new to the genre I would recommend Dimmu Borgir. Either Progencies of the Great Apocalypse, or The Serpentine Offering as a starter.

[Hungryfreak]

So far Baptized in Blood has really amazed me a very energetic song.

The rest of the Death suggestions were very helpful I plan on picking up both albums

Tony I'm currently working through your list what would a good Opeth album be?

For Death, I would suggest Leprosy as well, since you seem to be liking their deathier material as well.

For Opeth, it's hard to find a good starting place, since I can't say which album of theirs is their best. I might suggest Blackwater Park.

A few other bands to look at:

Autopsy
Pestilence
Carcass (Necroticism era and beyond, earlier stuff is more grindcore)
Obituary
Possessed

[Shredder87]

Dude.

Death-Individual Thought Patterns
Immortal-Blizzard Beast, Sons Of Northern Darkness, Battles In The North, At The Heart Of Winter, Pure Holocaust, Damned In Black, Diabolical Moon.....
Mayhem-De Misterious....blah blah blah.(I can't spell it)
Burzum-Aske

[Destnaru]

I'm sorry, but while Alexi Laiho is a great guitarist, he's not even the best guitarist in his own band, let alone the world.

I respect your opinion but my opinion remains that he is.

[MronoC]

When I got into extreme metal, it really started with trash, Megadeth specifically, then I got into Lamb of God, and then Deathcore, As Blood Runs Black is a good one to start with, then I'd recommend Whitechapel, and then, the first real Death Metal bands I got into were Nile, Disincarnate, and Unleashed. As far as Black Metal goes, I don't listen to much, aside from the occasional Cradle of Filth.

[Onslaught_fei]

When I got into extreme metal, it really started with trash, Megadeth specifically, then I got into Lamb of God, and then Deathcore, As Blood Runs Black is a good one to start with, then I'd recommend Whitechapel, and then, the first real Death Metal bands I got into were Nile, Disincarnate, and Unleashed. As far as Black Metal goes, I don't listen to much, aside from the occasional Cradle of Filth.

Cradle of Filth do not share any musical characteristics with Black Metal.

[Shredder87]

Cradle of Filth do not share any musical characteristics with Black Metal.
Old Cradle did...somewhat.

[Hastyl3]

I'll Recommend You Some Death Metal:
In Flames: Jester Race and Whoracle
Atheist: Unquestionable Presence
Children Of Bodom: Something Wild, Follow The Reaper, and Hate Crew Deathroll



My advice: Stay away from the Cannibal Corpse.

[Chief Stubbs]

I'm not a black metal listener, mostly out of religious views, and partially out of my parents' religious views, but I can stand it, and the band that got me to that point was Celtic Frost, one of the biggest innovators in the harsh vocal style. They also help with Death Metal. For death metal, though, I originally just jumped in my my brother's two favorite bands, Nile and Morbid Angel, but the harsher thrash of the Bay Area, German, and Brazilian scenes should help.

[MronoC]

Cradle of Filth do not share any musical characteristics with Black Metal.

Whatever, I don't care what it's called, I just listen to music I like, you can call it Honkey Tonk for all I care.

[JerryBrudos]

I'll Recommend You Some Death Metal:
In Flames: Jester Race and Whoracle
Atheist: Unquestionable Presence
Children Of Bodom: Something Wild, Follow The Reaper, and Hate Crew Deathroll



My advice: Stay away from the Cannibal Corpse.

Thanks, I'll look into those. I stumbled upon Cannibal Corpse on youtube their music didn't do much for me but that Butchered at Birth cover has to be one of the most sickening/frightening covers I've seen.

[passey]

I'll Recommend You Some Death Metal:
In Flames: Jester Race and Whoracle
Atheist: Unquestionable Presence
Children Of Bodom: Something Wild, Follow The Reaper, and Hate Crew Deathroll



My advice: Stay away from the Cannibal Corpse.

!!!!!!. Best In Flames ever.

[Mystlyfe77]

I respect your opinion but my opinion remains that he is.

No offense, but what other bands/guitarists do you listen to?
I'll give you a handful that play similar music that you should check out that are better than Alexi.
Jeff Loomis (Nevermore, solo)
Michael Arnott (Arch Enemy, Carcass)
Chris Broderick (Megadeth, ex-Jag Panzer, ex-Nevermore)
Michael Romeo (Symphony X)
Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth, ex-Arch Enemy)


And that's just in a small niche of music. Check out those guitarists (and their respective bands) and see if you change your mind.

[Onslaught_fei]

Alexi Laiho is really good at wankery. I dont think his solos are that creative but oftentimes creativity is not the goal. I dont like him personally but he is a very good generic shredder.

[MronoC]

Ultimately it's always going to come down to personal opinion when it comes to guitar playing, you can site so-and-so's clever use of dissonance, or whatisface's stylistic versatility, or whosername's sense of production of a large sound, but it's still going to come down to what sounds best to each person, when it comes to soloing, my personal favorite is Dr. Know of the Bad Brains, I know he's not the most technically amazing guitarist on the planet, but he's just got a style the resonates with me, also I just like tremolo picking :p

[Phobophobia]

start with early bands and work your way up.

Death: Scream Bloody Gore, Leprosy, Spiritual Healing, and Human are essential
Carcass: the gods of grind and also my favorite band of all time, Symphonies of Sickness, Necroticism: Descanting The Insalubrious, Heartwork
Pestilence: Malleus Mallificarum, Consvmin Impvlse
Autopsy: Severed Survival, Mental Funeral
Dismember: Like An Ever Flowing Stream, Pieces, Indecent & Obscene
Entombed: Left Hand Path, Clandestine
Grave: Into The Grave, You'll Never See
Obituary: Slowly We Rot, Cause of Death
Atheist: Piece Of Time, Unquestionable Presence
Asphyx: The Rack, Last One On Earth
Atrocity: Hallucinations, Longing For Death
Unleashed: Shadows In The Deep, Where No Life Dwells
Master:Master, On The Seventh Day God Created...Master
Carnage: Dark Recollections
Deicide:Deicide, Legion
Morbid Angel:Altars Of Madness, Blessed Are The Sick

this should give you a quick lesson in early death metal. '88-'92 were death metal's finest years.

There are distinct "sounds" from each region and recording studios. Almost all American death metal bands from Florida (Death, Massacre, Obituary, Deicide, Morbid Angel) recorded at Morrisound studios, perfectly engineered and scrutinized for being over engineered. The other side of the world, mainly Stockholm Sweden, these bands recorded at the legendary Sunlight Studios. This was the birthplace of the trademark signature buzzsaw guitar tone (Entombed, Dismember, Carnage, Grave) I would strongly suggest the stuff from Entombed and Dismember to give you a real lesson in what Swedish death metal was about. That guitar tone needs to be experienced because there is nothing like it and a whole movement was built upon it.

As for black metal, its not my forte, but my recommendations would be:

Immortal: Pure Holocaust
Mayhem: De Mysteris Dom Sathanas
Emperor: In The Nightside Eclipse
Darkthrone: A Blaze In The Northern Sky
Von: Von
Burzum: Hyvis Lyset Tar Oss
Bathory: Under The Sign Of The Black Mark, Blood Fire Death, Hammerheart