There’s no better time for the theatricality and bombast of symphonic black metal than the month of October. Even casual fans of the genre will know Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth (if you don’t, stop everything and listen to Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, Spiritual Black Dimensions, and Dusk...and Her Embrace). This list highlights some newer genre albums that you may not be familiar with along with some deeper album cuts from bands that may have passed you by. This the perfect soundtrack for a nighttime drive through the forest.
After retiring the name for nearly 20 years and moving into a more industrial bent, ...And Oceans revived their name and released one of the best records of 2020. This is built for speed, but still with the grandeur of the best symphonic black metal. New drummer Kauko Kuusisalo is a beast.
It’s been seven years since their last release, but on Vredesvävd, the band is back and darker than ever. If you’re familiar with the band and wondering if they qualify as symphonic black metal, one listen to this track will convince you. There’s still some folk elements there, but not enough to overpower the darkness.
Turning back the clock to 2003, Russia’s Forest Stream released the fantastic Tears of Mortal Solitude, which sadly flew under the radar for all but the most ardent genre fans. There’s a mysterious, enchanting feel to the album and an occasional doom influence that hits perfectly to me. Sadly, they’ve only released two records thus far, but both are well worth the time to seek out.
If you like the theatricality and story telling of King Diamond and the music of Dimmu Borgir, then Dutch band Carach Angren should be on your list. Their latest record isn’t my favorite of theirs, but it’s still worth a listen, as is their back-catalogue.
This may be a bit of a cheat, as Septicflesh are probably best described as death metal. But the symphonics are as bombastic as you’ll get and the vocals are nice and guttural. It’s been 3 years since Codex Omega, so here's hoping for a new release soon.
Some might consider Dark Fortress more of a straight black metal band, but the keyboard swells in the last half of this track make a case for being symphonic. I especially love the solo midway through this track. Great new release from the band in 2020 that was reviewed here by Eric.
We’re winding back the clock again to another band that flew under the radar for many. Diabolical Masquerade was a side project of Katatonia’s Anders Nyström with some help from the legendary Dan Swanö. Their 1998 album Nightwork is a genre classic that is well-worth hearing. The flutes add a unique element beyond the typical keyboard hits.
See Septicflesh’s entry above: everything also applies here to Italy’s Fleshgod Apocalypse, except the bombast is ratcheted up five notches. It may not be black metal in the strictest terms, but I love everything these guys do.
While we’re speaking of over-the-top, Sheffield’s Bal-Sagoth created their own fantasy mythology that they have explored over two trilogies and several published novels. This is intense stuff, both lyrically and musically, that provides the perfect soundtrack for your next conquest of your neighbor’s keep with your skeleton army.
Finnish Shade Empire have a more polished approach to symphonic black metal, similar to latter-era Dimmu Borgir, with some flourishes of melodeath that make for a unique hybrid. When the keyboards hit mid-way through this track after a brief breakdown, it feels like an epic film score climax that never fails to send chills.
Dragonlord is a side project of Testament guitarist Eric Peterson. They released two records in quick succession in the early 2000s, and then went dormant for over a decade before releasing 2018’s Dominion. Peterson’s history in Testament brings a bit of a thrash element that makes Dragonlord stand out from the typical fare.
Limbonic Art are legends of symphonic black metal: their 1996 debut Moon in the Scorpio is a genre masterpiece. However, they have continued to release music since then, including 2017’s Spectre Abysm, from which this track comes. Limbonic Art specialize in longer, epic pieces, so it’s hard to justify using 15 minutes of a 60 minute playlist on one track. I love this shorter track, which feels like the soundtrack to an old, yellowed horror film reel.
