READERS CHOICE: THE PSYCHEDELIC BLACK METAL EDITION

Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 1:45pm by

oranssi pazuzuIf 2006 Vince Neilstein could glimpse into the future to see 2010 Vince Neilstein’s playlist, he’d be shocked and mortified at the amount of black metal therein. But what can I say? There’s so much great black metal making the rounds right now, and so much of it is unsigned. Here are three recent reader submissions deserving of your attention.

  • Deafheaven: Psychedelic black metal in the vein of Woe, Amesoeurs, and even a bit of Wolves in the Throne Room (but with better production). Digging the four songs they’ve got posted at their Soundcloud page. I could really get behind a full album of this if all the songs were as good as these, as opposed to a band like Krallice whose albums I find boring but I dig live. [George C]
  • Skagos: Way more raw and less epic than the above… more akin to early Nachtmystium or something like that. This is the kind of black metal I’d want on my iPod if I were to be alone in the woods for any extended period of time. But that might just frighten me. [Travis D]
  • Oranssi Pazuzu: Says diehard Suckalo Alex P, “A quick site search has revealed that the only mention that Finnish psychonauts Oranssi Pazuzu have received on your website is a 15th best album of 2009 mention from the dashing Satan Rosenbloom. I recognize that you may not have agreed with him, but it’s also possible that you’ve never read that post, and are thus unaware of the band that should be the soundtrack to your drug trips. Thus, here’s a couple songs, and a myspace. Enjoy.” Agreed on all counts, Alex. Thanks!

-VN

  • Alex_P

    “If 2006 Vince Neilstein could glimpse into the future to see 2010 Vince Neilstein’s playlist…”

    I know the feeling. Two years ago I didn’t listen to any black metal. Now it’s almost all I listen to.

    Thanks, man. Definitely appreciate it.

  • http://heavystreet.com Sat

    The track “Daedalus” just splays. Grinding and blasphemous…a winning combination.

  • vagoo

    It’s just not the same knowing that this isn’t really Vince Neilstein posting, but just some computer. SO INHUMAN!!!

  • vagoo

    But seriously folks, I’m with the computer… I didn’t listen to much black metal (or doom for that matter) a few years ago, and now it’s mostly black metal and doom, and I suppose by association sludge and stoner etc etc… I guess it all comes around on itself anyways….

    • jackattack

      Truth. Diving into Immortal’s history changed my life.

  • sea_of_ice

    Or how we all finally got over the embarrassment of the early Immortal videos and learned to love Black Metal

    • Alex_P

      How we all figured out that Immortal are like Kiss, but better.

  • byrd36

    I not only didn’t listen to Black Metal but couldn’t stand to hear it, now it takes up the most space on my ipod, Oh the changes in one’s self in 20 years, or the changes and increased variety of Black Metal!

  • Ørsæth

    Thanks Vince. I’ve been looking for some new BM. Just what the witch doctor ordered

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Travis-Leon-Dreher/605590543 Travis Leon Dreher

    Skagos is one of my favourite bands. I emailed you about them like a month ago.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Travis-Leon-Dreher/605590543 Travis Leon Dreher

      Wait, that’s me you thanked. Disregard the last sentence.

  • CtrlZ

    Oranssi Pazuzu is unlike anything i’ve ever heard, very cool.
    all those links are awesome thanks!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kim-Kelly/10515129 Kim Kelly

    Deafheaven is pretty cool, though I have to add that Woe, Amesoeurs, and Wolves in the Throne Room all sound completely different.

  • Dysenteric

    I didn’t used to listen to a lot of black metal… and I still don’t, although I have been (very) slowly getting into it. I can’t stand this psychedelic stuff however.

  • Jo

    I already have two out of those three bands’ albums. Am I cool yet? (And yes they’re amazing. OP have been described as “Black Floyd” which is amusing and has a grain of truth to it, while Skagos are just beautiful. I’ll be looking up the other band, Deafhaven, pronto!)

  • Vinsanity

    Interesting choice of bands. im still not really big on black metal cuz i get tired of the double bass always pounding but these guys are way more versatile than say satyricon. you guys are all about the stoner metal, its like 90% of the bands i checked out cuz you guys suggested em is really psychedelic and atmospheric. its cool but sometimes just not aggressive enough for me. and the vox never changes for any of those bands really