When people think about first wave black metal, they often think about Hellhammer, Bathory and Venom. Quite often though, they forget about Root, which is one of the best metal bands in the world. They've got a bit of a following nowadays, but I don't find people who know about them on any kind of a regular basis.

They took a more refined approach to first wave bm, relying more on heavy metal and less on thrash and thus creating a less primitive kind of music. It's actually really good, even if I wouldn't call their later material black metal.

Try Kvist. they made only one album and then they got disbanded. If you ask me they are one of the best nineties Norwegian BM bands.

Try NAER MATARON (GREECE) & AVATAR (BELGIUM)

Written by ForeverDarkWoods on 05.05.2009 at 20:17

When people think about first wave black metal, they often think about Hellhammer, Bathory and Venom. Quite often though, they forget about Root, which is one of the best metal bands in the world. They've got a bit of a following nowadays, but I don't find people who know about them on any kind of a regular basis.

They took a more refined approach to first wave bm, relying more on heavy metal and less on thrash and thus creating a less primitive kind of music. It's actually really good, even if I wouldn't call their later material black metal.

I wouldn't really lump Root in with the first wave since they only started around 1988 or so and relased their debut in 1990. I would call them more transitional really, just like Master's Hammer (who also never became really well-known, though their first two are superiro to anything Root have ever done)

If any of the Czech bands could be classified as first wave, it would have to be Törr, being formed in as early as 1977 (iirc), and generally being regarded as the founders of Czech metal scene. Although they took about ten years to release their first demo, and released their first album also in 1990, they still formed before Venom, Hellhammer and Bathory, so I think they could be considered
first wave, although I'm not sure how serious they were in the beginning, when it took them so long to get to the first demo.

Also I agree with Marcel that Master's Hammer were better than Root, I like both bands though.

Written by [user id=23267] on 05.05.2009 at 22:02

If any of the Czech bands could be classified as first wave, it would have to be Törr, being formed in as early as 1977 (iirc), and generally being regarded as the founders of Czech metal scene. Although they took about ten years to release their first demo, and released their first album also in 1990, they still formed before Venom, Hellhammer and Bathory, so I think they could be considered
first wave, although I'm not sure how serious they were in the beginning, when it took them so long to get to the first demo.

Also I agree with Marcel that Master's Hammer were better than Root, I like both bands though.

Problem with bands forming 10 years prior to their first demo is that it is hard to check what sort of music they played before the recording of the demo. Usually they played totally different music than what is recorded later on (case in point being Overkill)

Strid. These guys were pioneers for depressive black metal, years ahead of their time. To bad they are no longer togther.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 05.05.2009 at 22:08


Problem with bands forming 10 years prior to their first demo is that it is hard to check what sort of music they played before the recording of the demo. Usually they played totally different music than what is recorded later on (case in point being Overkill)

Yes, that was also what I was thinking, that's why I wrote in a more or less hesitant style, with all the "could be's" etc. Just wanted to say, that if any of the Czech bands could be considered first wave, it would maybe be Törr.

Funnily enough, I just checked their official site:

"Torr appeared on the metal scene in 1986 as the East European answer to West European black metal music, and has been the only band in former Czechoslovakia who brought uncompromising raw music style to the communistic society. Torr showed and paved the way for bands like Master's Hammer, Root and a few more, released 10 full length albums, 2 singles and numerous demos in the time period of 1990-2005."

Given that M-A lists 1977 as their forming date, maybe they didn't play metal when they started out (assuming that the forming date at M-A is correct).

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 05.05.2009 at 22:08

Problem with bands forming 10 years prior to their first demo is that it is hard to check what sort of music they played before the recording of the demo. Usually they played totally different music than what is recorded later on (case in point being Overkill)

There is a way to check what Törr used to be though. There was a pre-Törr band called 666 which released a demo in 83. It's been re-released in a Törr boxed set. Basically it's heavily Venom-inspired stuff.

http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=12816

And yes, maybe first wave bm was a bit of a misnomer for Root, but the early stuff had a lot of the first wave sound, although in a more refined way. Perhaps pre-second wave would be a better description.

I guess Windir was never well known...and that band succumb to a tragic ending...

Its a sacrilege that leader and historic bands like Necromantia and Varathron have not active profiles

Check Raise Hell (Sweden).Their first album "Holy Target" is totally awesome.You listen to it and then you tell yourself:Yes!this is black metal and this is how black metal was supposed to be played.

Mirkwood - atmospheric black from USA
Astaarth - folk black from France
Fear Of Eternity - atmospheric black from Italy

great bands, but i guess only a few people ever heard about...

Of course this Dude was searching bands from the early 90s that didn't get known, but what about the bands that are beyond the standards without recognition?

This is all about your sick black metal thing! Going to it's synagogues....you're living in the fucking Past!

Von.

Criminally overshadowed by Beherit, Blasphemy and Sarcofago.

Demonic. Norwegian Black Metal band that only released one full length album(Empire of Agony).

Highly recommended(especially if you are into TNBM).

Golden Dawn. The best BM band I know but probably you have never heard of them!

Written by VaronoZz on 09.06.2009 at 22:28

Its a sacrilege that leader and historic bands like Necromantia and Varathron have not active profiles

That is so true...
Thanks for mentionning

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 04:02

Golden Dawn. The best BM band I know but probably you have never heard of them!

Golden Dawn are not really BM imo, it's Gothic Metal, but yeah, they are pretty cool (and they are from Austria )

Written by Diabolos on 14.08.2009 at 14:19

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 04:02

Golden Dawn. The best BM band I know but probably you have never heard of them!

Golden Dawn are not really BM imo, it's Gothic Metal, but yeah, they are pretty cool (and they are from Austria )

gothic black or extreme gothic, maybe experimental.. i don't really care.
do you have any news about them?? they have disappeared some years ago their status is 'unknown' in metal archieves :S

Written by Diabolos on 14.08.2009 at 14:19

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 04:02

Golden Dawn. The best BM band I know but probably you have never heard of them!

Golden Dawn are not really BM imo, it's Gothic Metal, but yeah, they are pretty cool (and they are from Austria )

I think that there is more black metal sound in their songs than gothic...however, I check some of their stuff on MySpace site and there some quite good songs...

Written by Abattoir on 14.08.2009 at 15:58

Written by Diabolos on 14.08.2009 at 14:19

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 04:02

Golden Dawn. The best BM band I know but probably you have never heard of them!

Golden Dawn are not really BM imo, it's Gothic Metal, but yeah, they are pretty cool (and they are from Austria )

I think that there is more black metal sound in their songs than gothic...however, I check some of their stuff on MySpace site and there some quite good songs...

i don't know why but it seemed they put up their worst songs on myspace

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 15:43

Written by Diabolos on 14.08.2009 at 14:19

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 04:02

Golden Dawn. The best BM band I know but probably you have never heard of them!

Golden Dawn are not really BM imo, it's Gothic Metal, but yeah, they are pretty cool (and they are from Austria )

gothic black or extreme gothic, maybe experimental.. i don't really care.
do you have any news about them?? they have disappeared some years ago their status is 'unknown' in metal archieves :S

Yeah, I also don't really care . Unfortunately I haven't heard any news about them, but I think they probably won't do anything in the future.

Written by Diabolos on 15.08.2009 at 00:49

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 15:43

Written by Diabolos on 14.08.2009 at 14:19

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 04:02

Golden Dawn. The best BM band I know but probably you have never heard of them!

Golden Dawn are not really BM imo, it's Gothic Metal, but yeah, they are pretty cool (and they are from Austria )

gothic black or extreme gothic, maybe experimental.. i don't really care.
do you have any news about them?? they have disappeared some years ago their status is 'unknown' in metal archieves :S

Yeah, I also don't really care . Unfortunately I haven't heard any news about them, but I think they probably won't do anything in the future.

that would be sad. I really liked their stuff..

Dawn - Slaughtersun - For all Dissection fans out there. In my Humble opinion their even better.

Now who of you, guys, knows Sombres Forets?

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 04:02

Golden Dawn. The best BM band I know but probably you have never heard of them!

I fucking LOVE Dalriada! Cheers! ... and Golden Dawn is cool, too.

Written by DJ Mythos on 09.03.2012 at 23:43

Written by Janne on 14.08.2009 at 04:02

Golden Dawn. The best BM band I know but probably you have never heard of them!

I fucking LOVE Dalriada! Cheers! ... and Golden Dawn is cool, too.

nice. cheers!

Written by Ellrohir on 04.08.2009 at 10:28

Mirkwood - atmospheric black from USA
Astaarth - folk black from France
Fear Of Eternity - atmospheric black from Italy

great bands, but i guess only a few people ever heard about...

Wow Mirkwood is outstanding. What are these guys doing? Its been several years since their demo tapes were released.

Oh how cool it is to find a band that almost no one else heard about and claim that they were so great.

Almost all of you guys fall into the same trap. You seem to think that some well known bands got their fame undeservedly while there were so many other bands that vanished into oblivion without due recognition. Well guess what, this is the case with every aspect of human activity throughout history everywhere in the world. Black metal is no exception.