Black Metal
Everything published on Viyolens under Black Metal — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
The Best Black Metal Songs Right Now
Not chart hits, but the individual tracks that actually defined this sound at every stage of its history. Here are the essential ones.
Black Metal Subgenres, Explained
One narrow Norwegian template splintered into a whole family tree of sounds. Here's every branch, plainly explained, with a reference artist for each.
The Best Black Metal Artists to Know
A handful of bands actually shaped how black metal sounds and looks. Here's who they are, and why they matter, no gatekeeping required.
Essential Black Metal Albums Explained
Twelve records, three decades, and a dozen different ideas about what this genre could sound like. Here's the essential run, in order.
A Beginner's Guide to Black Metal
Corpse paint, blast beats and a genuinely tangled history: here's what actually defines black metal, and how it splintered into everything it is today.
The History of Black Metal
From a Venom album title to a small, notorious Norwegian scene and on into a truly global genre, here's how black metal actually unfolded.
Black Metal for Newcomers: Where to Start
You don't need to know the lore to start. Here's exactly where to begin listening to black metal, in the order that actually works.
