Symphonic Black Metal

Symphonic black metal is a subgenre of black metal characterized by its grandiose fusion of extreme metal with classical music elements. Defining features include intricate orchestral arrangements, operatic vocals, and sweeping keyboard passages, often juxtaposed with aggressive, blast-beat driven rhythms and shrieking, growling vocals. Emerging in the mid-1990s, this style drew from the atmospheric and introspective qualities of Norwegian black metal, integrating elements of classical music and gothic rock to create a dramatic, cinematic sound. At its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s, symphonic black metal became a staple of the extreme metal scene, captivating audiences with its bombastic, atmospheric soundscapes and themes of darkness, mysticism, and romanticism. While drawing from the same dark, introspective wellspring as traditional black metal, symphonic black metal's incorporation of classical and gothic elements sets it apart, creating a unique, theatrical experience that blends the raw intensity of extreme metal with the majesty of classical music.

Latest Symphonic Black Metal Release
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Branngrav
Single - Released March 7, 2025

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Absu
Acherontas
Alastis
Ancient
Anorexia Nervosa
Arcturus
Ashenfell
Bishop Of Hexen
Black Winter
CHTHONIC
Carach Angren
Carpathian Forest
Crimson Moonlight
Darzamat
Death & Rebirth
Demonaz
Diabolical Masquerade
Dimmu Borgir
Dismal Euphony
Einherjer
Emperor
Enslavement Of Beauty
FROZEN BLOOD
Funeral Pile
Graveland
Graveworm
Hecate Enthroned
Hertug Zweihander
Hesperia
Hojarasca
Ihsahn
Immaterium
Kampfar
Keep Of Kalessin
Kveld
LUCIFERANDEVIL
Leviatan
Liar Of Golgotha
Limbonic Art
Melechesh
Moon Devoured
Moonsorrow
Naglfar
Nocturnal Wrath
Nyrak
October Tide
Old Man's Child
Opera IX
Primordial
Rotting Christ
Satyricon
Septicflesh
Setherial
Sorrowseed
Stormlord
Summoning
Temple Of Discord
The Jötunn
The Kovenant
The Sins Of Thy Beloved
Therion
Thulcandra
Thyrfing
Tiamat
Uada
Varathron
Vesania
Vintersorg
Vígundr
Wolvencrown
Dimmu Borgir
Therion
Rotting Christ
Kveld
Septicflesh
Satyricon
Emperor
Tiamat
Summoning
Carach Angren
Ihsahn
Carpathian Forest
Old Man's Child
Moonsorrow
Primordial
Melechesh
CHTHONIC
Uada
The Kovenant
Graveworm
Absu
Naglfar
Arcturus
Vintersorg
Kampfar
Graveland
Einherjer
Thyrfing
Varathron
October Tide
The Sins Of Thy Beloved
Leviatan
Keep Of Kalessin
Hecate Enthroned
Anorexia Nervosa
Ancient
Diabolical Masquerade
Limbonic Art
Stormlord
Crimson Moonlight
Ashenfell
Opera IX
Death & Rebirth
Hesperia
Vígundr
Thulcandra
Black Winter
Acherontas
Dismal Euphony
Darzamat
Bishop Of Hexen
Demonaz
Vesania
Setherial
Enslavement Of Beauty
LUCIFERANDEVIL
Wolvencrown
The Jötunn
Alastis
Funeral Pile
Nyrak
Temple Of Discord
Moon Devoured
Liar Of Golgotha
Sorrowseed
Hertug Zweihander
Immaterium
FROZEN BLOOD
Hojarasca
Nocturnal Wrath