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Top 50 Black Metal Albums


I've been listened to Black Metal since the late 2000s starting with Emperor and Dimmu Borgir. Since then, I've discover dozens of amazing bands thanks to MS and it has become one of my favourite genres, especially the more melodic/symphonic/epic bands.

So here are my favourites of the genre with my rating, its sub-genre and release year:

(Score is an average of each album's song ratings, full list located here)

If you discovered any new albums or like the same sort of black metal, be sure to give this list a thumbs-up and leave a comment so more people can find these amazing bands!

My other lists:
Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 25 EPs (also ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
Top 200 Overrated Albums (trigger warning)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)

Created by: nonZero | 19.02.2024



1. Agalloch - The Mantle
9.56/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2002
2. Caladan Brood - Echoes Of Battle
9.50/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2013
3. Dissection - Storm Of The Light's Bane
9.50/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1995
4. Emperor - Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk
9.43/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1997
5. Windir - 1184
9.38/10 · Viking Black Metal · 2001
6. Deathspell Omega - Kénôse
9.17/10 · Black Metal · 2005
7. Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse
9.13/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1994
8. Vinterland - Welcome My Last Chapter
9.06/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1996
9. Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain
9.00/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2006
10. Drudkh - Кров У Наших Криницях (Blood In Our Wells)
9.00/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2006
11. Lord Belial - Enter The Moonlight Gate
9.00/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1997
12. Vesperian Sorrow - Regenesis Creation
9.00/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 2006
13. Bathory - Hammerheart
8.93/10 · Black Metal · 1990
14. Vintersorg - Cosmic Genesis
8.89/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 2000
15. Dissection - The Somberlain
8.88/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1993
16. Batushka - Litourgiya
8.88/10 · Black Metal · 2015
17. Diabolical Masquerade - Death's Design
8.87/10 · Avantgarde Black Metal · 2001
18. Cradle Of Filth - Cruelty And The Beast
8.86/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1998
19. Acherontas - Vamachara
8.83/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 2011
20. Dimmu Borgir - Death Cult Armageddon
8.82/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 2003
21. Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini
8.81/10 · Progressive Black Metal · 2010
22. Enslaved - RIITIIR
8.81/10 · Progressive Black Metal · 2012
23. Shade Empire - Omega Arcane
8.80/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 2013
24. Shining - V - Halmstad
8.80/10 · Black Metal · 2007
25. Drudkh - Autumn Aurora
8.80/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2004
26. Darkspace - Dark Space III
8.78/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2008
27. Summoning - Stronghold
8.75/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 1999
28. Enslaved - Isa
8.75/10 · Progressive Black Metal · 2004
29. Dimmu Borgir - Enthrone Darkness Triumphant
8.75/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1997
30. Aquilus - Griseus
8.75/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2011
31. Windir - Likferd
8.75/10 · Viking Black Metal · 2003
32. Windir - Arntor
8.75/10 · Viking Black Metal · 1999
33. Gris - Il Était Une Forêt...
8.75/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2007
34. Ketzer - Satan's Boundaries Unchained
8.75/10 · Black Metal · 2009
35. Emperor - Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire & Demise
8.72/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 2001
36. Negură Bunget - OM
8.71/10 · Black Metal · 2006
37. Summoning - Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame
8.71/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2001
38. Cradle Of Filth - Dusk... And Her Embrace
8.71/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1996
39. Diabolical Masquerade - Nightwork
8.71/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1998
40. Ihsahn - After
8.69/10 · Progressive Black Metal · 2010
41. Dimmu Borgir - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia
8.67/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 2001
42. Graveworm - As The Angels Reach The Beauty
8.67/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1999
43. Sacramentum - Far Away From The Sun
8.67/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1996
44. Dawn - Slaughtersun (Crown Of The Triarchy)
8.67/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1998
45. Summoning - Oath Bound
8.64/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2006
46. Bathory - Twilight Of The Gods
8.64/10 · Black Metal · 1991
47. Samael - Passage
8.64/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1996
48. Nokturnal Mortum - The Voice of Steel
8.64/10 · Black Metal · 2009
49. The Elysian Fields - We...The Enlightened
8.61/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1999
50. Agalloch - Marrow Of The Spirit
8.60/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 2010



Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by nonZero ]



Comments

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Comments: 18   Visited by: 46 users
19.02.2024 - 14:44
nonZero
Are there any must-listens I'm missing here? I've listened to Immortal, Mgła and Mayhem - all fantastic bands but I didn't enjoy them quite enough to be on this list.

Honourable mentions
Cradle Of Filth - Vempire Or Dark Faerytales In Phallustein
Agalloch - Pale Folklore
Limbonic Art - In Abhorrence Dementia
Cradle Of Filth - Midian
Ravencult - Temples Of Torment
Ulver - Bergtatt - Et Eeventyr I 5 Capitler
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Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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19.02.2024 - 15:25
Roman Doez
Hallucigenia
Written by nonZero on 19.02.2024 at 14:44

Are there any must-listens I'm missing here? I've listened to Immortal, Mgła and Mayhem - all fantastic bands but I didn't enjoy them quite enough to be in my top 50.

I'd recommend some Burzum, Sigh, Urfaust, Ulver, Paysage d'Hiver and Ved Buens ende. There's a bunch of other stuff I'd put in my own list but those feel essential to me
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19.02.2024 - 15:46
F3ynman2000
Nocturnal Bro
Contributor
^ yeah definitely Burzum needs to be here too. And Necrophobic!!! Also, what about Cobalt and Melechesh?

But, otherwise, great list! I especially like your high placement of Acherontas and Lord Belial!
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19.02.2024 - 15:54
nonZero
Written by Roman Doez on 19.02.2024 at 15:25

Written by nonZero on 19.02.2024 at 14:44

Are there any must-listens I'm missing here? I've listened to Immortal, Mgła and Mayhem - all fantastic bands but I didn't enjoy them quite enough to be in my top 50.

I'd recommend some Burzum, Sigh, Urfaust, Ulver, Paysage d'Hiver and Ved Buens ende. There's a bunch of other stuff I'd put in my own list but those feel essential to me

Thanks for the recommendations - Sigh I have as Avantgarde Metal, and Ulver's Bergtatt is just off the list at #52. I don't like any Burzum album enough to give it more than an 8. Paysage d'Hiver and Ved Buens ende I don't think I've listened to so I'll add them to the to-listen list!

Written by F3ynman2000 on 19.02.2024 at 15:46

^ yeah definitely Burzum needs to be here too. And Necrophobic!!! Also, what about Cobalt and Melechesh?

But, otherwise, great list! I especially like your high placement of Acherontas and Lord Belial!

Thanks! Necrophobic I have as death metal so they will definitely be on a separate list (they are very slightly more death leaning than black in my books). Cobalt I found a little bit bland to be honest. Melechesh I enjoyed but need to re-listen to.
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Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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20.02.2024 - 03:11
Guib
Thrash Talker
Not the biggest Black Metal fan but I still enjoy quite a bit of it and this list is fucking good. So I'd like to recommend some stuff too.

- Blasphemy - Gods of War
- Forteresse - Métal Noir Québécois
- Csejthe - La Mort Du Prince Noir
- Panzerfaust - The Suns Of Perdition - Chapter I: War, Horrid War
- Crystal Coffin - The Starway Eternal
- Absu - The Third Storm Of Cythrául
- White Ward - False Light
- Zeal & Ardor - Stranger Fruit
- Toxic Holocaust - Evil Never Dies
- Skeletonwitch - Beyond The Permafrost
- Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales [EP]
- Celtic Frost - To Mega Therion

Not all of those are pure black metal, but I think they're all classic stuff.
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- Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff -
Guib's List Of Essential Albums
- Also Thrash Paradise
Thrash Here
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20.02.2024 - 04:05
A Real Mönkey
Seems you like Atmoblack. Perhaps some Panopticon would suit your fancy?



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"Change the world. My final message. Goodbye."

~Last words of Harambe, seconds before he was shot, according to child he shielded from gunfire
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21.02.2024 - 12:38
nonZero
Written by Guib on 20.02.2024 at 03:11

Not the biggest Black Metal fan but I still enjoy quite a bit of it and this list is fucking good. So I'd like to recommend some stuff too.

- Blasphemy - Gods of War
- Forteresse - Métal Noir Québécois
- Csejthe - La Mort Du Prince Noir
- Panzerfaust - The Suns Of Perdition - Chapter I: War, Horrid War
- Crystal Coffin - The Starway Eternal
- Absu - The Third Storm Of Cythrául
- White Ward - False Light
- Zeal & Ardor - Stranger Fruit
- Toxic Holocaust - Evil Never Dies
- Skeletonwitch - Beyond The Permafrost
- Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales [EP]
- Celtic Frost - To Mega Therion

Not all of those are pure black metal, but I think they're all classic stuff.


Written by A Real Mönkey on 20.02.2024 at 04:05

Seems you like Atmoblack. Perhaps some Panopticon would suit your fancy?


Thanks! I'll be sure to check these out
----
Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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08.03.2024 - 15:00
Dinruth
Caladan Brood ranked higher than Summoning
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08.03.2024 - 15:04
nonZero
Written by Dinruth on 08.03.2024 at 15:00

Caladan Brood ranked higher than Summoning

Ha! Yes. Summoning are objectively the better band but I just find myself returning to Echoes of Battle more than any Summoning album. For me, EoB is more consistently enjoyable, but I can fully accept that it is not an original sound in any way.
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Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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08.03.2024 - 17:10
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
Contributor
Great list, and I'm just happy to see both Caladan Brood and Summoning in your list If you like those bands you might want to give a listen to Sojourner - Empires Of Ash, they're not Tolkien themed but musically similar, and arguably just as good imo.
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08.03.2024 - 17:32
nonZero
Written by AndyMetalFreak on 08.03.2024 at 17:10

Great list, and I'm just happy to see both Caladan Brood and Summoning in your list If you like those bands you might want to give a listen to Sojourner - Empires Of Ash, they're not Tolkien themed but musically similar, and arguably just as good imo.

Thanks! Sounds great to me, I'll check it out
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Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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09.03.2024 - 06:34
Dinruth
Written by AndyMetalFreak on 08.03.2024 at 17:10

Great list, and I'm just happy to see both Caladan Brood and Summoning in your list If you like those bands you might want to give a listen to Sojourner - Empires Of Ash, they're not Tolkien themed but musically similar, and arguably just as good imo.


I was, of course, joking, because everyone's taste is different.. I also love Caladan Brood, but Stronghold is one of very few albums on which I love every song
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09.03.2024 - 19:09
nonZero
Written by Dinruth on 09.03.2024 at 06:34

I was, of course, joking, because everyone's taste is different.. I also love Caladan Brood, but Stronghold is one of very few albums on which I love every song

If I were to put together a top black metal songs list 'Long Lost To Where No Pathway Goes' would definitely be near the top.
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Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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09.03.2024 - 20:36
Dinruth
Written by nonZero on 09.03.2024 at 19:09

If I were to put together a top black metal songs list 'Long Lost To Where No Pathway Goes' would definitely be near the top.


An interesting idea for a list!
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10.03.2024 - 14:02
24emd
Theory Snob
As long as you have Aquilus I'm happy. Nice list
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"Music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks!" - Devin Townsend

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10.03.2024 - 23:15
nonZero
Written by 24emd on 10.03.2024 at 14:02

As long as you have Aquilus I'm happy. Nice list

Yes! Griseus is a fantastic album (especially the first two songs). Looking forward to hearing what he does with Bellum II.
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Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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11.03.2024 - 18:04
qnick90
I can see you like more melodic side of BM, therefore no likes such as Mgła, so I can reccomend one of my biggest discoveries of 2023 - Fluisteraars - Bloem.
Thumbs up for Aquilus!
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11.03.2024 - 18:08
nonZero
Written by qnick90 on 11.03.2024 at 18:04

I can see you like more melodic side of BM, therefore no likes such as Mgła, so I can reccomend one of my biggest discoveries of 2023 - Fluisteraars - Bloem.
Thumbs up for Aquilus!

I definitely prefer Black Metal than blends itself with something else - I appreciate bands like Mgła are very talented musicians but to me they are a little one-dimensional, which isn't sincerely a bad thing, just not my favourite.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out!
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Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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