Atmospheric Black Metal Band Debate | Lock Horns (live stream archive) 

In summation: If there is a scratchy band logo over a forest landscape on the album cover that looks like it was painted by Bob Ross then you are listening to atmospheric black metal.

Blayne convinced me to finally look into Blut Aus Nord. That front end of the discography is pure atmospheric black metal in the finest form. Anyone who looks past that band needs their head examined. Thank you for yet another wonderful recommendation, man.

Panopticon and Agalloch just do it for me...I can't explain it, they're just the best.

Very glad to see Drudkh on this list. They are great ABM band whose talent gives us awesome music like Blood In Our Wells, Forgotten Legends, and Eternal Turn of the Wheel. I'm looking forward to the new album coming out soon!

We need a DSBM branch, it has every right being on the tree as much as ABM! Xasthur, I Shalt Become, Leviathan, Krohm, Striborg! Need I say more?!

Drudkh for the win.

Sam "but i digress" Dunn

Where was Paysage D'Hiver? They deserve to be at the top with burzum

I fucking love the way you conduct the debates and the albums I discover thanks to you

I agree with burzum is the legend. Hyvss let set tar oss is the blueprint for atmospheric black metal

As Nogrim said, you should share a Spotify playlist with every episode of Lock Horns.

Blayne is the shit! So glad to see him in this debate. Also, Blut Aus Nord definitely has top tier CLASSIC ABM albums, crazy how people didn't praise them and/or vote for it. Unbelievable but oh well.

Panopticon rules

HAHAH The company I work for is called ABM. I also had no idea of the sub-genre's existence and found some fucking awesome music due to this episode. Thanks dudes!

Late to the party but my top 10 would be: *Burzum* - pretty obvious pick for being the first act to use keys "atmospherically" and not melodically *Strid* - overlooked act but still among the first to slow down the tempo to create a hazy vibe *Ulver* - perfectly fused minimal folk elements with old school BM *In the Woods* - built upon the foundation of Burzum but took it in a more progressive direction *Black Cilice* - takes the cake for creating the spookiest atmosphere on the planet *Summoning* - created the "epic" subgenre, successfully crafting a genuine medieval feeling *Blut Aus Nord* - perfect incorporation of industrial elements with heavy atmosphere *Nokturnal Mortum* - walking the fine line between symphonic and ambient BM brilliantly *Drudkh* - may have outdone Ulver when it comes to fusing folk with BM Last but not least, my personal favourite, and Burzum's most important disciple *Paysage d'Hiver* - the act that perfectly incorporates noise aesthetics as an integral part of his musical expression

How did I just find out about this channel/ segment. This is amazing lol going on a listening journey tonight. Coldworld would have been my pick if I saw this stream at the time.

Surprised no one mentioned Wodensthrone.... They weren't together long, but they got pretty big for a second and the two albums they recorded were masterpieces

Loved it! I wish Saor was mentioned.

This episode made me realize that my predominant genre is atmospheric black metal. I listened to more of these bands than any other genre. Thanks guys 😁

As a genre that focuses on nature this debate lacked those bands talking about space, which is the nature that still remains unknown and inaccessible to mankind. One can only imagen the different sonic landscapes that could origin from there, and Darkspace along with other bands try to channel this in their music. This is a truly unique take on Atmosphere, probably the purest one, and the path taken by this genre has branched out greatly on it. It would have been nice to explore more on this topic.

You guys crushed it, despite RU-vid trying to bring ya’ down. Another killer Locked Horns!

Thanks for this episode. Atmospheric black metal has a important meaning in my life, and I'm glad seeing people talking 'bout it

Really good list (although I disagree with TRoB heavily, I mean just listen to The Clockhands Groaning Circles again, that's far from atmospheric imo) and an exciting addition to finally put on the tree (at least for now). Blayne is always a joy to witness and this has been one of my favourites in a while (mostly because I actually know something about it haha).

My top and it's really hard for me to pick since i got deep into the ABM genre. Violet Cold, Celephais, Lustre, Caladan Brood, Summoning, Panopticon, Druadan Forest, Skyforest, Hermodr, Vvilderness... The music on it's own makes me travel and tells me the story (with or without a vocal)

Just recently discovered this channel, so far definetly the video with most bands i listen. I knew, my personal favs are quite a bit more atmospheric than normal, but seeing them all in this list... xD

Obsequiae I think is a very important band as far as American ABM goes. The folk element is of a medieval nature, and their album "Aria of Vernal Tombs" is an absolute masterpiece.

Fairly certain this is my favorite metal genre, thanks for doing this for us fans.

Hey Guys, thanks, a cool hour with you! But I'll appreciate a list written down and a 2nd part too with bands like Ennoven, Grift, Tardigrada, In the Woods, Paysage D'Hiver, None, Wiegedood, Fuath, Knokkelklang, Nasheim, Downfall of Nur, Turia etc. just some names... All of them are great bands! Thanks!

Fen: While they are often classed as post-black metal or blackgaze, they are highly atmospheric. Definitely the sort of band you can fall asleep to and end up accidentally astral travelling 😂 It was a pleasure to have them feature in our British black metal documentary (Shameless plug) and they had some really interesting things to say about what they try to communicate and deliver to their fans whether it be through their albums or at live shows. The two brothers were impacted by their childhood surroundings of the Fens and mentioned how being in nature would bring them into a state of creative flow, where they felt intoxicated and had an urge to capture that state. This really shows in the music because intoxicated is exactly how you feel, listening to a Fen album. It's as if you're taken through a portal from the physical world into new, hidden dimensions. Their music evokes a sense of awe, grandiosity and natural beauty all while keeping the harshness and grimness of what you would expect from a black metal band. There are many layers to every song and while there are signature phrases that hint that you're listening to Fen, they keep you on your toes, often breaking expectations of what it is to follow. They have a progressive structure to their songs and are a must listen for any atmospheric black metal lover.

"Atmospheric Black Metal is what you can fall asleep to but it still be metal"... Might I maybe suggest... Dungeonsynth? Maybe it's an ambient genre getting to that point, but its atmospherics / interior world... dark fantasy / medievalist... is the atmospherics of Metal.

I would love to see an episode on Funeral Doom and another on DSBM.

I was hesitant to watch this one, based on the pre-polling. There were so many bands suggested and polled about that simply didn't belong. Glad that the episode turned out pretty solid, you guys did a great job, especially Blayne. I would have liked to see Forteresse make the list over The Ruins of Beverast, because while they are a great band, they play Black/Doom, not Atmospheric Black metal. I also couldn't have agreed more with Blayne about Blut Aus Nord and the Memoria Vetusta albums. They definitely belonged, but oh well. You can't win 'em all.

Glad Ruins of Beverast made it. Rain Upon the Impure is such an amazing album.

Who voted down Blut Aus Nord? Should definitely be there.

My favourite atmospheric black metal band is probably Woods of Desolation. So beautiful...also Harakiri for the Sky is wonderful

Where do you get the magnets? I want to do something similar myself on my refrigerator. Thanks

Xasthur and Leviathan. Seriously 2 of the most influential atmospheric black metal bands ever. And DARKSPACE! Their music is practically ALL atmosphere!

23:24 That’s hilarious - my wife fell asleep on a bench in the venue when we saw Wolves in the Throne Room in Austin once

Love that Agolloch is on here I'm from portland oregon!

I was prepared to be a little bored, but Blayne makes everything more fun lol. Props for the Panopticon add.

I love this genre of metal!! Soothing and relaxing to me!!!🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

That Summoning clip is Pure Moods 5, Black Metal Edition Also, surprised to not see Fleurety or In the Woods mentioned. Maybe they'd fit on an avant-garde black metal episode, if we get a season 3, but they could definitely fit here as well. They have the black metal base, the gauzy and hazy atmosphere, and the folk elements.

I'm someone who probably disagrees with Blayne politically on a few things, but the way he brought trolls into the conversation was a cool moment for me. Funny and not dickish. Super great job no. 1 Blayne!

Nice list! However, where is the Mesarthim, Lustre, Saor, Aquilus, Darkspace, Eldamar, Elderwind, Evilfeast, Coldworld, Melankoli? Some of these bands are far more representative of ABM than some of the bands on this list.

Does anybody know the difference between atmospheric BM and ambient BM? or are they both the same thing?

I fuckn love this dude and this fuckn chanel ! keep fuckn killing it !!!

Walknut should have been mentioned just for their pure ABM sound, Gravesforests and Thier Shodows is a masterpiece.

Hey I just subscribed to the channel I really enjoyed this video and I’m sure I’ll enjoy many more topic videos you cover here. Would be cool to have a segment going into the history of the classic German thrash metal. Focus on Sodom, Destruction, Kreator, and maybe touch on tankard as well. Destruction is my personal favorite thrash metal band, their 80s albums had so many unique riffs and songs!!

Burzum -Hvis Lyset Tar Oss is the first album in atmospheric Black Metal. there wasn't anyone else doing it before that

Is there a list of all the bands? Can't read the logos on most.

In the corner of North East India, there is a Man who play Atmospheric black metal,his name is Maxroyte..from the state of Mizoram, u wont believe it, he was a badass....🇮🇳🤘🏼

Leviathan should have been on this list. One man band, and uses some unorthodox instrumentation to create a very haunting, atmospheric sound.

Hvis Lyset Tar Oss was probably the first atmospheric black metal album back in 1992, Bergtatt in 1994 as well.

BEHERIT - Drawing Down The Moon 93. Atmospheric BM for sure, and legendary band and album anyways.

Whats that album to the middle left of the woman? Cant remember the name :/

Another nice show!

Yeah I would say Myrkur is more Blackened Folk-Metal. Not atmospheric at all. She sounds like she was inspired by 80's Dead Can Dance music then added black metal elements to her songs. / Earth & Pillars are a newer ABM group worth checking out. Their label Advantgarde Music releases a lot of good acts IMO.

Blunt-aus-Nord ...Thank you.. I was slightly taken back by the folk direction they went in. When atmosphere black metal spreads among many other areas. So I was glad to see more doomish options, The feeling of the sound creates an atmosphere. Thantifaxath World Narcosis Hundred Year Old Man Amenra Altar of Plagues Chrch

I tried to get the guys' attention about Negura Bunget, just couldn't. It is a shame that you haven't included them on the list.

Great show!

do you guys put these lists up anywhere? I would love to go back and check all the must listens from different genres

Paysage d'Hiver would have rounded out the top 10 nicely. Oh well :/

Perfect sleeping music. Like the nature and fantasy themed ones- Elderwind, Caladan Brood, Galdur, etc.

You need to make an episode in blackened crust... and southern metal, funeral doom, crust punk, crustgrind, pornogrind, Christian metal, pirate metal, a cappella metal, traditional doom metal, epic doom metal, and others. Yes, it’s still a hell of a long way to go.

Weakling's Dead as Dreams has been my go-to nap and bedtime record for almost 2 decades.

Does anyone know the band/song they play at 36:33?

Aaah... The last of the Banger Hanger genre-Lock Horns. The best setting! And going out with Blayne whom I love!

What's the Summoning song at 18:59?

I think you guys should include the bands that made the cut in the description box with a link to where we can purchase their stuff and band website.

CALADAN BROOD-ELDAMAR-ETERNAL VALLEY

Marrow of the spirit is my favorite Agalloch album.

Could anyone please tell me the name of the Forteresse song at 40:40?

Arx Atrata and Germ for epicness... Seems everyone missed them... For me Arx Atrata's album called "Sipiritus in Terra" is a masterpeace and Germ's album "Grief" blew my mind... I can sleep to death with those albums whenever I feel deep down depressed...They are like painkillers for me... Additionally check Kalmankantaja, Les Discrets (well, a bit different), Lustre, Sojourner, Thy Light and may be Violet Cold...

Blut Aus Nord is a good band from France...I was in contact with this guy. I believe he did a label velvet creations and a side band called THE EYE

For a music themed channel, you would think they could fix the audio for these videos. Either mix the mics better or replace them!

I would like to see a discussion about virtuoso guitar players. Or whatever you want to call them. I'm thinking of Satriani, Vai, Becker, Malmsteen, Buckethead or Gilbert... They have some heavy stuff and to some point they are influential to the genre.

Best Winterfylleth album to check out first?

Definitely check out Zuriaake! Pretty unknown stuff I think, due to being from China, but damn, that's some really fine stuff with which is clearly inspired by but often up's what Burzum did. Really a lot like the best of Burzum, just with Chinese roots/influence.

Imperium Dekadenz very good Atmospheric Black Metal from Germany

High praise for Blayne for the high praise for the Memoria Vetusta albums.

Definitely need to do one on DSBM with Blane.

no Darkspace :(

46:05 Blayne (taking about Summoning): “…the bands that influence everybody- the biggest bands are the ones that you don’t have to decipher and read three books to get into” Lord of the Rings trilogy: 👀

wolves in the Throne Room is awesome

Fen, Spectral Lore, Midnight Odyssey, Austere, Blut Aus Nord, Skyforest, Alcest, Wolves in the Throne Room, Krallice, Panopticon, Agolloch, Mgla

How about Walknut's "Graveforests and their Shadows?" I'm not sure if everyone would consider it atmospheric black metal (I think the artists consider it ABM) so there's that. Absolutely crushing sound. Very evocative of what one might imagine to be a very dark Russian winter.

lol that summoning logo , as a fan i didnt notice either

Name of the music in 19:00 plis!

Some basic points missed: ABM is not only about nature, it more about a 'soundscape' but goes in different envirnoments: it embodies evil/demons (Ruins of Beverast), unknown (Negura Bunget, Paysage D hiver) and horror in space (Darkspace) and a fringe band I personally like (Alrakis) who are less metal but blend metal with space ambient

Time to start shouting IRON MAIDEN five minutes into every broadcast and see how quick chat shuts down

What was that band at 36:30?

The fact that Coldworld from Germany didn't get a mention.....OUCH! Its a one man abm band with a lot of ambient influences and guest artists from other sides of music. Coldworld got everything you need in abm! "The stars are dead now" is maybe more a dsbm/abm record (what a thin line tho between those two subgenres). "Melancholie2" is maybe the most atmospheric black metal record ever! And his comeback with "Autumn" is purely insane....one of the most welcrafted pieces of art in music history! We can ignore his latest work because that is pure Ambient.... Before I forget one of my biggest points why Coldworld is the best abm band ever: It still has pure raw black metal as ingredient No°1 😊🤘

THE most fantastic athmospheric BM track, all fans must hear is : Nazxul : 'Oath Fides Resurrection'.. They only have few of these slower tracks. Listening to that song is an experience!!

Having a DSBM band debate is very very very very very necessary, and the legend should be either xasthur or shining IMO

Cosmic Church is perhaps my favorite "new" atmospheric BM band.

Canadians looking so fucking uncomfortable talking about Burzum ...hilarious.

Ohhhh can't believe I missed this!

Man, why don't you guys upload the final list ever?

Wow. We really see another side of Blayne's analysis in this one. Don't get me wrong, I really like it when he's goofing all around, but I really like how he's throwing around criteria and cantegories. And Blut Aus Nord rules! :)

I came to learn. :) I know almost nothing of Black Metal, and absolutely nothing of it's subgenres, except perhaps blackend death metal, and "viking??". Cheers, Sam and Blayne. Sad I missed the live transmission ... Was at a work meeting. :(