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The musical characteristics of black metal: Why are speed and atmosphere so important?
As an extreme sub-genre of heavy metal music, black metal is known for its high-speed rhythm, screaming vocal style, and heavily distorted guitar accompaniment. The characteristic of this musical form lies not only in the use of musical techniques, but also in the unique atmosphere it creates, which leads to a profound impact on the audience's psychology. Whether it is the presentation of its sonic speed or the emotional depth behind its music, they are indispensable elements of black metal.
Modern black metal music is often thought of as a Norwegian style, but in fact the term includes many bands with different sounds, from Death SS to Mercyful Fate to Mayhem and Blasphemy.
Sonics plays a very important role in black metal. Guitarists of the Norwegian style of black metal often prefer high-pitched or shrill guitar tones, paired with heavy distortion. These guitars often feature rapid, unmuted tremolo strums and power chords, creating an eerie sense of dread. Using dissonant notes, such as the diminished fifth (tritone), can often add tension to the music.
In black metal, guitar solos or isolated bass guitar melodies are uncommon, and the emphasis is often on creating atmosphere and keeping the music authentic.
In addition to guitars, drums are also a key factor in constructing the sound of black metal. Drummers often use rapid double kick drums and blast beats to maintain tempos up to 300 beats per minute. This fast tempo requires great technique and a high degree of physical fitness, as best exemplified by the outstanding performances of famous drummers Frost and Hellhammer. Still, for the professionalism of higher craft, many performers, like Darkthrone's Fenriz, believe there should be a return to pure performance rather than the pursuit of technical perfection.
Black metal songs often deviate from traditional song structure, lacking clear verse and chorus sections, and instead containing long, repetitive instrumental sections.
In addition, black metal lyrical subject matter often attacks Christianity and other institutionalized religions, uses apocalyptic language, and expresses anti-authority and anti-establishment messages. Many black metal songs explore themes such as world-weariness, global disaster, war, death and rebirth, which are directly related to human existence.
At the same time, the atmosphere created by black metal is a core part of the expression of this musical genre. Many artists regard their performances as rituals, often using props and special effects on stage. Bands like Mayhem and Gorgoroth are known for their controversial performances, which might involve dead animals or rebellious religious symbols, underscoring their rebellious stance.
Although the modern black metal industry tends to be more professionally produced, many early black metal artists chose to use low-quality recordings, which not only preserved the underground characteristics of black metal, but also made it sound more "rough" or "cold". . This DIY spirit is highly respected in the black metal community, with many artists believing that musical authenticity is more important than technical perfection.Black metal artists often use corpse makeup on stage, a mixture of black and white facial paint and real or fake blood to create a corpse-like or demonic appearance meant to reflect the meaning of their music.
Through the discussion of the speed and atmosphere of black metal, it can be seen that this type of music is not just a pile of noise, but a deep combination of emotion and music technology. As black metal continues to develop, the uniqueness and influence of this musical form will continue to capture the ears and hearts of music lovers everywhere. Can the audience feel the depth and passion of this atmosphere, or just hear the intersection of sounds?
