Dolorian

Dolorian is a Finnish band that plays a mix of Doom and Black with a twist of Ambient thrown in the mix. Exploring the spritual themes of depression and loss, Dolorian is not a band to be taken lightly (TURBOPUNS OMG). With a heavy sound that can be deep and sorrowful as well as torn and filled with BM style misery, I don't recommend that you listen to Dolorian unless you truly wish to understand sorrow and sadness epitomized in music.

When All The Laughter Has Gone (1999)
Dolorian (2001)
Voidwards (2006)

Agalloch

Following the trend of posting bands whos genres are hard to describe is the posting of Agalloch, an extremely influential American band whos combination of Black, Doom and Folk elements make them a tireless and indispensable addition to any metal listeners collection. Taste them and enjoy the fruits of their labors.

Pale Folklore (1999)
The Mantle (2002)
Ashes Against The Grain (2006)
The White EP (2008) [Thanks to Boozer, we have it]!

Alcest

Alcest is the (now) solo project of French musician Neige. Originally a hyper-depressive BM outfit, Alcest now has a softer (shoe-gaze) sound that more exemplifies Niege's aim of portraying an imaginary world that he once traveled to as a child. In either expression, Alcest is perhaps what some would argue to be the definitive of the French BM style. It can, at times, be hard to disagree.
*Personal Meditations: The difference in production quality between newer and older Alcest may come as a turn-off to some. I enjoy both thoroughly, each with its own distinctive voice. I encourage you to try both.*

Tristesse Hivernale[Demo](2001)
Le Secret [EP](2005)
Souvenirs d'un autre monde (2007)

Primordial

Primordial is a Black/Folk band from Ireland. Utilizing a lot of pagan imagery in their lyrics, Primordials songs have a tendency to become epic tales of woe and war. A powerful band with a very moving style, particularly vocal-wise. Another band to put on in the dark, to let the sounds carry you to another world.
*Personal Meditations: Primordial can be a very hit and miss band with me. When they do it, they do it right all the way, but if a song doesn't hit me right, it feels like a complete failure. I encourage you to listen to all this band has to offer and decide for yourself what they've done right and wrong.*

Spirit The Earth Aflame (2000)
The Gathering Wilderness (2005)
To The Nameless Dead (2007)

Funeral Mourning

Funeral Mourning is a Black/Funeral Doom band from the island continent of Australia. Their sound is one of a very complementary nature, as surprisingly enough the oft grating and frightening sound of BM mixes very well with the plodding, sorrowful nature of Funeral Doom. Their general sound (as one might expect) is one of a very depressive nature, similar to Forgotten Tomb. Fans of that band, and of Funeral Doom, will find a very good listen with this band.
*Personal Meditations/Disclaimer: This band has become one of my staple listens over the past few months. A highly recommended listen FOR LISTENERS OF FUNERAL DOOM. If you don't enjoy Funeral Doom, I warn you against this band, as the stereotypical beefs with the genre are very apparent with this release.*

Drown In Solitude (2006)

Bishop Of Hexen

Bishop of Hexen is a Symphonic Black Metal group hailing from Israel. Playing a style that I feel is very underrated, Bishop of Hexen blends haunting melody into their powerful BM style. To truly experience this band, crank it up and turn off the lights, and let the music take you to a darker world of magic and fear.
*Personal Meditations : I have nothing bad to say about this band at all, everything impresses me. Standout tracks include "The Somber Grounds Of Truth" from The Nightmarish Compositions, and "Lure My Spelled Emotions" from Archives o/a Enchanted Philosophy.*

Archives Of An Enchanted Philosophy (1997)
The Nightmarish Compositions (2006)

Holy Blood

Hailing from Keiv in the Ukraine are the Christian Folk/Black Metal outfit Holy Blood. Yet another band who shouldn't be looked over because of their spiritual beliefs. If you are a fan of bands like Korpiklaani, Finntroll or Ensiferum you should give these dudes a serious listen. They've got a style that has been done before (Hence the similar bands listed) so I won't go too much longer on them. I highly suggest giving them a thorough listen, you'll thank me for this advice someday.

2004 Waves are Dancing

Crimson Moonlight

Crimson Moonlight is a Christian Black Metal band from Sweden. Originally formed to record one demo and play one show they have evolved into one of the best "unblack" metal bands out there today. With Veil of Remembrance onward they have shifted toward a more blackened death metal style with fast grinding parts and have tossed out the keyboards completely. Definitely one of the best (of many others) out on the scene today playing a typically Satanic style and injecting their own faith into their music without being preachy and "Stryper-esque". Do not pass these guys up because they're a Christian band or you'll be making a huge mistake.

2003 The Covenant Progress
2004 Veil of Remembrance

Wolves in the Throne Room

Wolves in the Throne Room is a Black Metal band from Washington state. Taken from AllMusicGuide: "Wolves in the Throne Room compose haunting black metal inspired by fog-draped forests and long, dreary, dark winters. But the imaginatively named trio is not your everyday, pagan-worshipping, blood-sucking, corpse-paint-donning black metal band, either; but rather residents of a self-sufficient commune situated outside of Olympia, WA, where frugal living conditions help dictate the band's focus on music -- not dressing up like it's Halloween all year-round."

2005 Diadem of 12 Stars

Forgotten Tomb

Forgotten Tomb is a Doom/Black Metal band hailing from Italy. With an extremely depressive and atmospheric sound, they fuse the heaviness of Doom with the bleak beauty of Black in an amazing way. Their music explores the concepts of depression and suicide with remarkable precision. Very artistic, and beautiful in a dark way. If you enjoy depressingly heavy music, you should already have Forgotten Tomb in your library.





Songs To Leave (2002)








Springtime Depression (2003)









Love's Burial Ground *Pt.1* (2004)
Love's Burial Ground *Pt.2*







Negative Megalomania (2007)

Skeletonwitch

Hailing from Athens, Ohio Skeletonwitch play a hybrid brand of Black/Death/Bay Area thrash metal. They are a band you've got to listen to and once you hear them you will be hooked. These guys tour regularly so it would behoove you to go see their show. You will re-live the glory days of thrash and the deal is sweetened by a blackened death metal twist that will have you pumping your fists long after their last riff ends.

2007 Beyond the Permafrost