I'm not so much into swedish black metal myself, listened a lot to Dissection and Naglfar though. My opinion is that Dissection is the best out of these, but Mörk Gryning and Naglfar were/are producing a lot of high-class material too.

What's your favourite and why?

Dissection for me too...Im biased because they are one of the first black metal bands Ive ever listened too and their music is just timeless for me. The Somberlain and Storm of the Lights bane are obsessions for me, hes also my favorite dead artist, also I gained more appreciation for them by learning how to play their music Im starting to get into Marduk so far it look very good.

Shining should be on the list, as they're one of the nicest bands around. such uplifting tunes

in absence of the best, i vote fort the second best: watain. despite the gazillion other bands that make this kind of black metal, watain actually sounds original and fresh. even Arckanum should be on the list, instead of norsecore bands like dark funeral and marduk

Without hesitation, my vote went to Bathory. One of the original Black Metal bands in the 80's, and the albums have stood the test of time. Some of the other bands in the list are good, or at least have released some good material at some point - but they can't really hold a candle (or 13 of 'em!) to Bathory, IMO.

'Under the Sign of the Black Mark' in particular was a milestone album, and probably my favourite BM album - it's very dark and raw, and songs like 'Enter The Eternal Fire' have classic metal riffs.. It shows that this style can be catchy and 'rock', and also be drenched in sinister atmosphere at the same time. None of Bathory's albums sound particularly dated, and to this day there are still plenty of bands that are directly trying to imitate the same guitar tone and vocal style.

From List Bathory, but I just love Magog

Well its paibfull talk about this scene, ist so big and interesting and amazing, specely early scene and I use to check all bands in MA from sweden and I use to has about 1000mp3 songs from home page from bands what I like, but all gone whit my old PC so its hard to talk, so good, interesting and amazing bands gone, and I was inforem about scene werry well and I can say its good scene, maybe lil owerated, but some 50 bands was/are in my wanted list, specely 2 melo BM bands from Lulea
Good album, covers, good lyrics, good atmosfere just good scene

But well from thsoe who left I can tell Magog now Evengely are best

Watain, without doubt! I adore their first album and I fucking worship their latest album (haven't heard Casus Luciferi, yet)! Their dark Black Metal always cheers me up and gives me energy. That's what I'd call their music, very energetic and raw Black Metal. Sometimes it's beautiful, other times fast and furious and the next time slow and intense! Just so fucking great! I'll see them live in 13 days!

Bathory for sure. Quorthon helped create the black metal scene and bathory is my second favorite black metal band. They released many masterpieces. Blood Fire Death especially is a masterpiece and the atmosphere that this album had was amazing. No other band on the list can really compare to what Bathory achieved, in my opinion. Second for me is either Watain, Dissection, or Marduk.

Bathory is without a doubt the best black/thrash metal band from Sweden. I don't even know how those other bands on that list can compare to what Quorthon accomplished. Blood Fire Death is one of the best albums I've ever heard and Under the Sign of the Black Mark is another stunning release. I love Bathory's speed and atmosphere, and I especially enjoy the numerous guitar solos that are played. However, I must say I'm really only a fan of his first four albums, with maybe an exception for Blood On Ice.

Marduk, the Panzer Division album is just such a solid album. Ive heard most of those bands up there but im also most familiar with Marduk or Bathory. So Marduk it is. (sorry cant vote)

Written by Richard on 21.03.2007 at 22:07

Without hesitation, my vote went to Bathory. One of the original Black Metal bands in the 80's, and the albums have stood the test of time. Some of the other bands in the list are good, or at least have released some good material at some point - but they can't really hold a candle (or 13 of 'em!) to Bathory, IMO.

'Under the Sign of the Black Mark' in particular was a milestone album, and probably my favourite BM album - it's very dark and raw, and songs like 'Enter The Eternal Fire' have classic metal riffs.. It shows that this style can be catchy and 'rock', and also be drenched in sinister atmosphere at the same time. None of Bathory's albums sound particularly dated, and to this day there are still plenty of bands that are directly trying to imitate the same guitar tone and vocal style.

Seconded without a moment's hesitation. Bathory's albums were truly landmarks, amazing stuff that as Richard said, still remain relevant today. "The Return", "Blood Fire Death", to me, doesn't sound dated at all. I can pop it in my cd tray tonight and it still sounds great and still more powerful that almost any other metal artist who I might follow it up with.

Marduk? Meh. blazing speed. empty calories.

Naglfar? Liked "Sheol" a lot the first couple listens, but it lost it's luster on the fourth or fifth spin, and I find myself skipping most of the songs off that album when the randomizer on my MP3 player decides it's their turn in the queue (I don't even play the cd anymore)

etc. down the line.

While Dissection released a couple good albums, they still don't compare.

To me this comparison would be akin to comparing a case of beer against various four packs of wine coolers...

Written by Damnated on 21.03.2007 at 21:40

Shining should be on the list, as they're one of the nicest bands around. such uplifting tunes

Oh crap, I was going to put them there but forgot them for some reason.

bathory is winning lol

Bathory are also ampng my favourites, but sinc e they changed their style, I've chosen dark funeral. (don't argue even if you find the reason lame )

No matter how much I enjoy Watain or Dissection or Shining... I simply cannot ignore my love for Bathory.

I just checked out Watain, looks like Ive got some shopping to do

When I mention Magog actualy thay had changed name to Evangely, but nothing had realised whit such name

My vote goes for Marduk, I love their strenght and their progression. But there are some other very good bands in this poll, especially Bathory and DF.

Bathory of course. Well I really like Naglfar, Shining and Watain as well but Bathory is really the obvious choice in this particular list.

Kvarforth and his suicide squad Shining. Awesome band. They know how to make the sound dark and depresive.

I also enjoy Watain, they lates album really impressed me. Marduk can be enjoyble too.

Seems Im only oine here who dont liek Shining

Well Bathory of course. No real choice in the matter.. There are many Sweedish bands which I like but if Bathory is there in the poll, no choice..

Written by Sunioj on 27.03.2007 at 19:59

I just checked out Watain, looks like Ive got some shopping to do

Yes, I have to get some of their material at once I get some money to spare. Wery impressing as far as I have heard.

You have to check "Sanctum Sanguis" out all of you. A two man project, just a demo band yet but WERY promising according to me. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=149261572

Their best songs are not included here though. But check it out!

Like the poll says, Bathory hands down, they truly started Black Metal i think, all their albums were awesome, and would probally of made even more amazing albums if it wasent for Quorthron's passing, they were the most legendary the most important the most talented and the best.

Bathory.... Bathory... Bathory...No dout about it... This band is a legendery one! There album in 1988 Blood Fire Death is absolutely a masterpiece in the whole metal industry... I can't stop listening to this band... Even Immortal made a cover for bathory.. This means something, isn't it!

Written by DoOm MaKeR on 01.04.2007 at 18:37

Bathory.... Bathory... Bathory...No dout about it... This band is a legendery one! There album in 1988 Blood Fire Death is absolutely a masterpiece in the whole metal industry... I can't stop listening to this band... Even Immortal made a cover for bathory.. This means something, isn't it!

Immoratl made cover witch song

1) Shining
2) Abruptum
3) Ondskapt
4) Funeral Mist
5) Bathory

Marduk for me, closely followed by Dissection

as for the bands not appearing in the poll, I'd mention Diabolical Masquerade, Ancient Wisdom & (old) Siebenburgen

This one is easy: Bathory of cause... I mean Bathory is legendary band and all they staffs are great. They have done so much for the scene and give their tribute to few very popular metal subgenres, like Viking Metal...

Written by Reborn Nemesis on 05.04.2007 at 10:38



as for the bands not appearing in the poll, I'd mention Diabolical Masquerade, Ancient Wisdom & (old) Siebenburgen

Good band, realy good bands, but IMO tread are for pure BM, not melo, shympho ut I like Siebenrburger and DM, also AW great