Metal is such a versatile genre. It has plenty of ways of delivering feelings of coldness, dread, and horror. Whether it achieves this through gloomy melodies, thunderous sound production, or dreary lyricism, dark metal takes on the form of many bands under its umbrella. Said bands are capable of crafting darkness in an artistic fashion, and their means are immeasurable. From somber and quiet to loud and sinister, below are ten songs that dish out the darkness in their own manner. Click the header images to listen to their respective songs!
With a name like "Atra Mors," literally translated from Latin to "Black Death," there is no doubt a harrowing experience is well on its way. This opening track to Evoken's album of the same name proves this, what with the howling winds and ghastly singing. Ritual-like drums and slow, murky guitars overlap soon after. This continues until the song finally bursts into a chilling march of brutal instrumentation and guttural vocals, truly showing the kind of violent bleakness the album has to offer. The downright apocalyptic lyrics also make their presence known, "for it is not the singing of angels that beckons, but the feral groans of death." "Atra Mors" has haunted my eardrums since middle school, and evidence points to it doing the same for many listeners down its dark and dreary road.
“Atra Mors” was released on July 31, 2012 via Profound Lore Records.
Although darkness and gloom are often associated with ugliness and brutality, they can still be portrayed in a beautiful and emotional manner. Draconian proves this with "Seasons Apart," and most of this stems from Lisa Johansson's tear-jerking yet haunting singing. Each note cuts extremely deep, exuding an undeniable amount of power and elegance. This isn't to say the rest of the song has nothing to offer, however; On the contrary, the guitars and piano dish out equally dramatic melodies, and the aggressive low vocals alternate with Lisa's clean singing very smoothly. The song also progresses well, weaving through somber and brutal passages without losing its ghastly atmosphere. The end product is one that is both gloomy and graceful.
“Turning Season Within” was released on February 29, 2008 via Napalm Records.
Imperial Triumphant's approach to darkness is an eccentric one, if anything. Even the lyrics of "Lower World" are somewhat unorthodox, lamenting the pollution and thanklessness of underground industry ("Writhe below in stagnant exhaust, as we breath in the light of God"). It's fitting, therefore, that the song chimes in with the quiet ambience of a subway station. This ambience isn't meant to last, however, as it is soon replaced by a brutal mix of dark and twisted guitars, snarling vocals, and jazz-like drumming. Despite this chaos, however, the song builds smoothly, allowing every haunting segment to burrow deep into the audience's heads. One such section in particular involves a flurry of blast beats with a choir aggressively chanting in a chaotic yet cinematic moment. In the end, everything comes together in a bizarre yet haunting masterpiece.
“Vile Luxury” was released on July 13, 2018 via Gilead Media.
"Chalk Point," for an example, opens with a dreary soundscape with what sounds like footsteps, ghostly distortion, and radio noise. It immediately but steadily lowers the audience into a dark atmosphere, almost as if someone were exploring a deep cavern or abandoned structure (It's fitting, therefore, that the album artwork consists of a photograph of such a building, courtesy of Brian Ulrich). A slow and equally somber piano tune kicks in as the soundscape continues, further solidifying the song's bleak ambiance. Sluggish and distorted guitars enter the picture, and the track finally blooms. The drums form a weary beat while monotonous singing echoes from a distance. These vocals teem with a phantom-like ambiance, with abstract lyrics upping the unsettling factor ("The final echoes -- Ancients departing -- Total immersion"). Overall, the build-up throughout "Chalk Point" is nothing short of powerful, making for a dark, derelict, and haunting listen.
"The Clearing & The Final Epoch" on August 14, 2012 via Relapse Records.
"Caustic" is an appropriate name for an album so brazen and venomous. Right out of the gate, its opener "My Will" drops the sledgehammer on its audience. The thunderous guitars and drums pulverize very slowly, allowing each riff and hit to sink in and create a terrifying atmosphere. The sludgy vocals are equally slow but dismal, roaring about oppression, cruelty, and hatred ("My regret will burn bright, like the lump of shame that grows in your throat"). Ultimately, however, the mixing is what ties everything together, courtesy of Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, Cephalic Carnage). Every musical element sound resonant, brutal and bleak, with violent and suffocating results. Out of all the entries in this list, Primitive Man's is undoubtedly one of the most punishing.
“Caustic” was released on October 6, 2017 via Relapse Records.
"Disgusted by the Light" is exactly what it says on the tin; Ghost Brigade's entry on this list is not a very pleasant one. Similar to Draconian's outing, however, this one takes a more emotional and melodic approach to the idea of darkness and sorrow. The guitars crow melancholy melodies, accompanying the equally-low dual singing and steady drums in an already engaging track. Even in its moments of explosion (i.e. The chorus), the song's dark melodies continue to soar and chill its listeners to their very core. The lyricism gives no respite either, with the line "This is my hell, go find your own one" being particularly heart-rending. Even over a decade since its release, "Disgusted by the Light" remains a dark yet compelling hit.
"Guided by Fire" was released on September 5, 2007 via Season Of Mist.
"Gravebloom" was released on June 30, 2017 via Rise Records.
SubRosa is no band to approach if one was in search of something uplifting; "The Inheritance," one of their greatest works, The instruments move in a tired march, though this in no way means they lack energy; the absolutely somber guitars and violin churn out raw melodies that do a fantastic job of creating a haunting image of sorrow and blackness. The vocalists also sing drearily of the ills of a modern and industrialized society ("They say the meek shall inherit the earth... but all I see are the helpless, crushed by the wheel of man"), proving the song is hopeless in both sound and subject. "The Inheritance" offers not even a shred of hope, and it's no wonder why SubRosa is often referred to as one of the greats of depressive metal.
"No Help for the Mighty Ones" was released on February 11, 2011 via Profound Lore Records.
Just like how Evoken's album is titled "Atra Mors," Nightbringer's "Terra Damnata," (Meaning "Doomed Land/Earth") is not to be taken lightly. More specifically, the song "Misrule" shows anyone who stumbles across it just how dark, hellish, and terrifying metal music can be. The guitars' rapid melodies are downright petrifying, as if they came straight from some sort of cosmic nightmare. They are the highlight of this whole track, acting as the centerpiece for the song's violent brand of darkness. It doesn't help that they join forces with the rapid-fire drumming and shrieking vocals into a seemingly endless vortex. Pushing this further is the mixing, with every instrument resonating and blending into each other in an overwhelming feat. Nightbringer ultimately does its namesake justice, dragging its audience into a dark world and never letting go.
“Terra Damnata” was released on April 14, 2017 via Season Of Mist.
Shape Of Despair's "Monotony Fields" is an extremely powerful record, but atmospherically and emotionally. Its very first track, named "Reaching the Innermost," is itself proof enough of such a claim, entering with a very slow synthesizer melody; it places the audience in a very vast setting already, like a dark castle hall or the like. This quietude isn't meant to last, however, as said melody is accompanied by an explosion of equally melancholic guitars and keyboards. The drums slowly tread as well, but each hit resonates thanks to the cinematic sound production, making for a surprisingly invigorating experience. The low, deathly vocals add no levity, of course ("We could only gaze at the eager distance that would soon live within us"). Later, as the song draws to a close, a sung melody is the last layer peeled away from said track until it hits its final note, wrapping everything up in a very satisfying and emotional manner. Everything from the performance itself to the mixing to the writing mesh together into a dramatic but invigorating package.
"Monotony Fields" was released on June 15, 2015 via Season Of Mist.
From atmospheric to brutal and slow to rapid, all of these songs exemplify the different sorts of darkness many bands achieve. Musically and lyrically, they are not for the faint of heart, as they draw listeners into the shadows one way or another, yet are absolutely worthy of acclaim. Darkness can certainly be an ugly thing, but all of the bands listed above (and plenty more) wield it to their advantage, creating pieces that are artistic and compelling in their own right.
