This is an article containing my best atmospheric black metal bands. It’s a diverse genre featuring many different types of bands. If you’re more interested in blackgaze, there’s also an article about that genre. Please comment if you have an atmospheric black metal band I should check out, or if I’m missing an awesome band.
About the author
I’m Stefan Nordström, an aspiring musician and content creator. This is one of the ways I promote Soliloquium, my progressive death/doom metal band. If you’re searching for new music in the style, it would be awesome if you listened to my stuff on:
Agalloch
Origin: United States
Recommended album: Ashes Against the Grain (2006)
Agalloch mixes a variety of dark metal styles, but atmospheric black metal is the dominating tag. The band has a bunch of acclaimed albums in its discography. “Ashes Against the Grain” is probably my favorite.
Bloodbark
Origin: Unknown
Recommended album: Bonebranches (2018)
Bloodbark is a fresh band on the scene, delivering quality atmospheric black metal. They have a slight Summoning influence, minus the fantasy associations, that matches up very well with the more traditional atmospheric black metal approach.
Burzum
Origin: Norway
Recommended album: Hvis lyset tar oss (1994)
I’m personally not that much of a Burzum fan, but their impact on the atmospheric black metal genre is undeniable.
Caladan Brood
Origin: United States
Recommended album: Echoes of Battle (2013)
American Summoning worshippers that are strong enough to stand on their own merit.
Dordeduh
Origin: Romania
Recommended album: Dar de duh (2012)
From the ashes of Negură Bunget comes Dordeduh. After witnessing the band live by chance at Metaldays 2017 I started liking the 2012 album a lot. Definitely worth checking out for fans of the folkier side of atmoblack.
Elderwind
Origin: Russia
Recommended album: Чем холоднее ночь (The Colder the Night) (2018)
Fen
Origin: United Kingdom
Recommended album: Winter (2017)
I enjoy Fen’s album “Winter”, but the super long songs made it hard for me truly get into it. Still a quality band in the style worth checking out.
Negură Bunget
Origin: Romania
Recommended album: OM (2014)
Paara
Origin: Finland
Recommended album: Riitti (2018)
Paara plays a pretty epic form of black metal with long songs and mixed musical dynamics. 2018’s “Riitti” is quite a unique experience worth checking out.
Pure Wrath
Origin: Indonesia
Recommended album: Ascetic Eventide (2017)
Quality atmospheric black metal. I enjoy 2017’s “Ascetic Eventide” as well as 2018’s “Sempiternal Wisdom”.
Summoning
These Tolkien-crazed Austrians form one of the most famous atmospheric black metal bands. Very unique electronics and guitar leads.
Origin: Austria
Recommended album: Stronghold (1999)
The Ruins of Beverast
Somewhere between black/doom and atmospheric black, The Ruins of Beverast produces truly dark music. A very big and unique sound.
Origin: Germany
Recommended album: Exuvia (2017)
Vallendusk
Origin: Indonesia
Recommended album: Homeward Path (2015)
An atmospheric black metal band from Jakarta, Indonesia of all places. Solid songwriting and atmosphere while lacking the originality to truly make it something special. There’s also a slight Primordial influence in places.
Veldes
Origin: Slovenia
Recommended album: To Drown In Bleeding Hope (2013)
Wolves in the Throne Room
Origin: United States
Recommended album: Thrice Woven (2017)
One of the most popular atmospheric black metal. Garners a lot of polarizing opinions just like Deafheaven. Most of their music is above average for me, and I particularly enjoy the guest spots from Anna von Hausswolff on the latest album.
Read more:
10 essential death/doom metal bands ->
50 best melodic death metal bands ->
My doom metal band Soliloquium ->
The best blackgaze bands ->
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