I've been digging in the crates for black metal a lot recently. Cloaked equally in stylistic innovation and grisly controversy, it is an intriguing genre. Of all metal genres, I think it has the most consistent and richly developed visual aesthetic accompanying its musical one. This is part of what makes it so interesting, along with its pagan and nihilistic philosophies. In honor of this genre, I'm starting a series of personal black metal "Top 5's," focusing mainly on the Norwegian second wave (apologies to all the Venom and Bathory fans out there; the second wave is the movement I'm most familiar with, though I am a big Quorthon fan). As of now, I plan to make this the first arc in a larger series of metal rankings under the title Metal Mondays.
So to kick it off, here are my top 5 black metal vocalists:
5. Satyr of Satyricon
A great rasping snarl. Check out Satyricon's albums from Dark Medieval Times through Nemesis Divina.
4. Ihsahn of Emperor
His shrieks resound with howling torment. In the Nightside Eclipse and Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk are classics.
3. Grutle Kjellson of Enslaved
His guttural rasps light up every Enslaved album. The protracted groan at the start of Frost's "Svarte Vidder" always gets me going.
2. Hat of Gorgoroth
High-pitched and hateful, just the way I like it. He was Gorgoroth's first vocalist and deserves more recognition, as he is little-known. Check out their first album Pentagram; it's a hidden gem.
1. Varg Vikernes (a.k.a. Count Grishnackh) of Burzum
Varg certainly has his worshipers and his haters, and he really deserves neither. However, I think he is a great artist who does deserve musical praise. The screams on his early recordings (I'm thinking of his first album through Hvis lyset tar oss) are the epitome of nihilistic despair. Good stuff.
Now, I'm sure you all have furious contentions and disagreements, so let me know what you think of this list and who you would put in your top 5.
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