So, it is a simple question. Which of these two iconic French BM bands you prefer and why?
You might want two specify the answer of these two questions:
1- Which band is more important and has had greater impact on extreme metal?
2- Which band you personally enjoy more?
While there seem to be less enthusiasm about Blut Aus Nord Than Deathspell Omega in underground, I personally would go for BaN.
PS: before the others point out, I confess that I have just heard DsO's trilogy.

It would be good if there would be both , because I cant choos,e both are good, well maybe not my fav, but I can listen and its not possible to me to choose from those two

Well musically I don't think the two can really be compared so much, but creatively BaN absolutely trounce DsO. I think DsO's peak has past now and have descended into sterile technicality. They've lost the organic edge that they once had (and that made them great). They're certainly the more consistent band but they're too overproduced and too focused on dizzying technical bravado to the point that their songwriting has suffered.

BaN, despite being extremely inconsistent with their style, still demonstrate that they create relevant and unique music. Yeah, not gonna bleat too much about them as I'm pretty sure everyone knows how I feel about this band by now.

I'm with Joe.

BaN is fantastic. I've never liked DsO at all.

Written by Bad English on 01.06.2013 at 21:47

It would be good if there would be both , because I cant choos,e both are good, well maybe not my fav, but I can listen and its not possible to me to choose from those two

That would be an obvious choice and most of users would go for that and in conclusion, the poll would be spoiled

Written by [user id=4365] on 01.06.2013 at 22:42

Well musically I don't think the two can really be compared so much, but creatively BaN absolutely trounce DsO. I think DsO's peak has past now and have descended into sterile technicality. They've lost the organic edge that they once had (and that made them great). They're certainly the more consistent band but they're too overproduced and too focused on dizzying technical bravado to the point that their songwriting has suffered.

BaN, despite being extremely inconsistent with their style, still demonstrate that they create relevant and unique music. Yeah, not gonna bleat too much about them as I'm pretty sure everyone knows how I feel about this band by now.

I agree that musically they cannot be compared:while DsO seems to be into an ultra technical form of metal, Vinsdval has clearly stated that he is not a fan of technical approach. Needless to say that there are not much industrial twists in DsO's sound but these two are mentioned everywhere as the most influential Frecn BM bands and both seem to be rely on dissonant music.
I agree with your words about DsO, even the trilogy has a downward slope toward its end. Also, BaN, while changing their style frequently, has put out high quality music in different styles. We both prefer BaN over DsO but you omitted one of my questions: which one had greater impact on extreme metal and have more followers? I personally cannot answer this question since my knowledge on extreme metal is not that deep.

Written by Boxcar Willy on 01.06.2013 at 22:48

I'm with Joe.

BaN is fantastic. I've never liked DsO at all.

You did not even enjoyed Si Monumentum ?

Written by mz on 02.06.2013 at 08:57

Written by Bad English on 01.06.2013 at 21:47

It would be good if there would be both , because I cant choos,e both are good, well maybe not my fav, but I can listen and its not possible to me to choose from those two

That would be an obvious choice and most of users would go for that and in conclusion, the poll would be spoiled

I cant, but JOOE jas good point here

Written by mz on 02.06.2013 at 09:09

We both prefer BaN over DsO but you omitted one of my questions: which one had greater impact on extreme metal and have more followers? I personally cannot answer this question since my knowledge on extreme metal is not that deep.

I would say that DsO has had the greater impact on black metal, despite being the less creative of the two bands, but that's mostly because of its popularity (I would say they're definitely the band with more fans). After all, there's a few DsO-like bands around, but I've yet to encounter a BaN like-band.

I'd say DsO are the better known band for two reasons:

Their aesthetic: DsO, like a lot of black metal bands, are still predicated on a Satanic theme, which is the initial attraction for many to black metal. Admittedly they bring it to new levels of "intelligence" which appeal to many people who like to think they're listening to something out of the norm and more cerebral, which certainly gives it a bit of a hipster element to my mind. I say "intelligent" because personally I find DsO's lyrics to be complex worded nonsense and gobbledygook. People often cite them as being more clever than most bands but I've yet to see some good analysis on their lyrics. I think people take one glance at the lyrics and assume it's something higher and better than other bands just because the words used are flashy. BaN's lyric and thematic styling is far more vague and tends to orient itself around philosophy. I just don't think BaN have enough of a certain kind of image for people to latch onto unlike DsO who are still fundamentally very black metal.

The other reason I believe DsO are better known is because of the music itself, though the nature of it is still pretty similar to my other point. Deathspell Omega's music, despite being pretty avant garde and technical, is still black metal, or at least very metal. It's obviously derived from it and while the later releases aren't especially black metal they're still heavily based on technical structures of metal (probably closer to death metal really with a heavy "post" metal vibe). BaN's music, while starting out as black metal often shifts away from it altogether and metallers don't like that (MoRT's reception for example). Pretty much why the early black metal albums and MV:II are generally the most praised.

And now for the bit that'll probably piss off a lot of people: I think many metallers like to think themselves as fans and champions of forward thinking music because it gives them an air of superiority, but at the same time they have a hard time actually enjoying things which fall out of their comfort zone. Deathspell Omega are the perfect band for this. At the heart they have all the necessary conventions of a black metal band but they have enough bells and whistles added onto their image and music to elevate them above their peers. Frankly BaN's genre-hopping style and ambiguous and esoteric themes just don't appeal to metallers, and are branded as pretentious by many.

I choose DsO. I loved every single thing they've put out after "Si Momumentum..." (including those fantastic 20 min song EPs), and I have yet to check the older stuff. And I hope it's not for the reasons Joe mentioned I really dig what these guys do musically and haven't had the pleasure to listen to other black metal acts making so much sense out of dissonance.
Then again, from BaN I only heard (and liked) the 777 trilogy, and tried the first MV and TWTTG and couldn't stand a full listen. Didn't like how they sound at all.

My opinion could change after listening to what I am missing from both parts

Oh, and regarding the effect they have in extreme metal in general... probably DsO has more impact since they make a lot of noise in the underground (and now not so underground). But I think of BaN as more of an inspiration to step out of the box. In short, I see DsO encouraging copycats while BaN might as well inspire a few transgressors.

DsO seem to have gotten quite sure of themselves, or rather, their technical/avant-garde sound as of late. They're afraid to get out of their comfort zone and do something relevant or new again. BaN, on the other hand, is constantly changing and reforming its sound (though that's also the reason why they aren't as favored as DsO, as mentioned before).

Written by [user id=4365] on 02.06.2013 at 15:36

And now for the bit that'll probably piss off a lot of people: I think many metallers like to think themselves as fans and champions of forward thinking music because it gives them an air of superiority, but at the same time they have a hard time actually enjoying things which fall out of their comfort zone. Deathspell Omega are the perfect band for this. At the heart they have all the necessary conventions of a black metal band but they have enough bells and whistles added onto their image and music to elevate them above their peers. Frankly BaN's genre-hopping style and ambiguous and esoteric themes just don't appeal to metallers, and are branded as pretentious by many.

You speak the truth my friend, you speak the truth.

I regard the first two albums of the trilogy and the Kenose EP as some of the finest pieces of Modern BM and I do acknowledge their massive influence on the genre but I think BaN crushes DsO in terms of creativity and though you cited them as "inconsistent in style" I think they're the more consistent band and that's in the trems of creativity. Aside from the debut, even their least experimental efforts (the MVs) are still nowhere near conventional.

Written by Demerzel on 03.06.2013 at 00:37

DsO seem to have gotten quite sure of themselves, or rather, their technical/avant-garde sound as of late. They're afraid to get out of their comfort zone and do something relevant or new again.

I don't remember where I read that all the music released since "Si Monumentum..." up to their latest EP are all related to the main trilogy. If that's the case and "Drought" is the last piece, I wouldn't be surprised if they feel free to go for a significantly different sound now.
If they do want to keep making music, that is.

Quote:

Written by [user id=4365] on 02.06.2013 at 15:36

I would say that DsO has had the greater impact on black metal, despite being the less creative of the two bands, but that's mostly because of its popularity (I would say they're definitely the band with more fans). After all, there's a few DsO-like bands around, but I've yet to encounter a BaN like-band.

I'd say DsO are the better known band for two reasons:

Their aesthetic: DsO, like a lot of black metal bands, are still predicated on a Satanic theme, which is the initial attraction for many to black metal. Admittedly they bring it to new levels of "intelligence" which appeal to many people who like to think they're listening to something out of the norm and more cerebral, which certainly gives it a bit of a hipster element to my mind. I say "intelligent" because personally I find DsO's lyrics to be complex worded nonsense and gobbledygook. People often cite them as being more clever than most bands but I've yet to see some good analysis on their lyrics. I think people take one glance at the lyrics and assume it's something higher and better than other bands just because the words used are flashy. BaN's lyric and thematic styling is far more vague and tends to orient itself around philosophy. I just don't think BaN have enough of a certain kind of image for people to latch onto unlike DsO who are still fundamentally very black metal.

The other reason I believe DsO are better known is because of the music itself, though the nature of it is still pretty similar to my other point. Deathspell Omega's music, despite being pretty avant garde and technical, is still black metal, or at least very metal. It's obviously derived from it and while the later releases aren't especially black metal they're still heavily based on technical structures of metal (probably closer to death metal really with a heavy "post" metal vibe). BaN's music, while starting out as black metal often shifts away from it altogether and metallers don't like that (MoRT's reception for example). Pretty much why the early black metal albums and MV:II are generally the most praised.

And now for the bit that'll probably piss off a lot of people: I think many metallers like to think themselves as fans and champions of forward thinking music because it gives them an air of superiority, but at the same time they have a hard time actually enjoying things which fall out of their comfort zone. Deathspell Omega are the perfect band for this. At the heart they have all the necessary conventions of a black metal band but they have enough bells and whistles added onto their image and music to elevate them above their peers. Frankly BaN's genre-hopping style and ambiguous and esoteric themes just don't appeal to metallers, and are branded as pretentious by many.

Very sound analysis and I cannot disagree with words. I once read some of DsO's lyrics and they remind me the attempt of prog metal bands to seem more intelligent. I might be wrong and perhaps this band has some depth in its concepts but the whole tried hardness of being more "technical" or "intellectual" annoys me these days (although I admit that 3 years ago I was blindly searching for these kings of music).

Written by Unhealer on 02.06.2013 at 17:30

I choose DsO. I loved every single thing they've put out after "Si Momumentum..." (including those fantastic 20 min song EPs), and I have yet to check the older stuff. And I hope it's not for the reasons Joe mentioned I really dig what these guys do musically and haven't had the pleasure to listen to other black metal acts making so much sense out of dissonance.
Then again, from BaN I only heard (and liked) the 777 trilogy, and tried the first MV and TWTTG and couldn't stand a full listen. Didn't like how they sound at all.

My opinion could change after listening to what I am missing from both parts

Oh, and regarding the effect they have in extreme metal in general... probably DsO has more impact since they make a lot of noise in the underground (and now not so underground). But I think of BaN as more of an inspiration to step out of the box. In short, I see DsO encouraging copycats while BaN might as well inspire a few transgressors.

Go for LiberII EP by BaN. This EP, despite being a little difficult and inaccessible, is truly excellent and still easier than MoRT. I have personally not listened to MV yet.

Very different bands, wouldn't compare them.... but if I have to, I'd go with BaN. Like everyhting they do, though sometimes more and others less, always being enjoyable. The 777 trilogy was utterly stunning.
DSO on the other hand have been getting progressively better, their current incarnation of absolute chaotic mess with a certain control being awesome... Paracletus is probably the highlight for me.

Written by [user id=4365] on 02.06.2013 at 15:36
After all, there's a few DsO-like bands around, but I've yet to encounter a BaN like-band.

But that isn't the being all and end all of the question about being influential. I agree with Unhealer when he wrote: "I see DsO encouraging copycats while BaN might as well inspire a few transgressors."
I'd go with BaN... I absolutely love both bands but lately Deathspell Omega has let me down a bit.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 04.06.2013 at 00:15

But that isn't the being all and end all of the question about being influential. I agree with Unhealer when he wrote: "I see DsO encouraging copycats while BaN might as well inspire a few transgressors."
I'd go with BaN... I absolutely love both bands but lately Deathspell Omega has let me down a bit.

It's possible we haven't really seen the extent of BaN's influence. Perhaps it's had more of an effect on industrial black metal than I realised.

BAN > rest of the World

Written by Paz on 04.06.2013 at 22:01

BAN > rest of the World

a little fanboyish, but I can not disagree

DSO has better musicianship, though I love BAN's dark and chilling atmosphere. Hard choice. Went with DSO.

Blut Aus Nord so damn hard. DSOs mittle period is fantastic, Kenose is one of the best EPs ever and Si Monumentum is one of the best pieces of black metal I've ever heard but the direction they took on their last offerings wasnt really anything to brag about. Too much technical stuff and too little soul.

Blut Aus Nords songwriting abilities are much stronger in my point of view.

Written by [user id=160508] on 27.07.2016 at 17:22

Blut Aus Nord so damn hard. DSOs mittle period is fantastic, Kenose is one of the best EPs ever and Si Monumentum is one of the best pieces of black metal I've ever heard but the direction they took on their last offerings wasnt really anything to brag about. Too much technical stuff and too little soul.

Blut Aus Nords songwriting abilities are much stronger in my point of view.

Mind, is that you? Get back in my head and stop leaving without telling me.

But yeah. I wonder what has even become of DsO at this point. Hoping they come back and do something wow-worthy again.

Written by [user id=4365] on 27.07.2016 at 17:25

Written by [user id=160508] on 27.07.2016 at 17:22

Blut Aus Nord so damn hard. DSOs mittle period is fantastic, Kenose is one of the best EPs ever and Si Monumentum is one of the best pieces of black metal I've ever heard but the direction they took on their last offerings wasnt really anything to brag about. Too much technical stuff and too little soul.

Blut Aus Nords songwriting abilities are much stronger in my point of view.

Mind, is that you? Get back in my head and stop leaving without telling me.

But yeah. I wonder what has even become of DsO at this point. Hoping they come back and do something wow-worthy again.

Well I quite enjoy Paracletus sometimes, but only If I'm in special mood. Most of the time, it seems just a bit too much to take in. The Drought Ep though, was a complete failure, I dont even know what they were thinking at this point.

I'm always baffled to see that are actually a lot of people that prefer their newer post-black stuff over their middle era. Doesnt make sense to me at all.

Satanists vs hipsters?

Ill go for DSO anyday. Evil and experimental is the best combo. And I love the technical period as well.

Written by [user id=160508] on 27.07.2016 at 17:40




Well I quite enjoy Paracletus sometimes, but only If I'm in special mood. Most of the time, it seems just a bit too much to take in. The Drought Ep though, was a complete failure, I dont even know what they were thinking at this point.

I'm always baffled to see that are actually a lot of people that prefer their newer post-black stuff over their middle era. Doesnt make sense to me at all.

Paracletus certainly had its moments. The final track in particular. Drought though. No thanks. I need at least a little bit of songwriting to work with, rather than pure technical bravado.

Yeah it's middle-era for me, and Inquisitors of Satan every now and then.

Hmm, "Evil and experimental" are probably the last 2 words I would use to describe DsO to be honest. Religious and evolutionary more like. Ban I would describe as philosophical and experimental.

DSO end of discussion.

DSO easily. They have more quality stuff than BAN

Now, I simply cannot choose... Love them both to death.

Too bad, BaN isnt leading anymore