My metal bretheren and sisterhood need no introduction to this. For the uninitiated, black metal is one of the most recognizable, most notorious sub-genres in the world of extreme metal. Whereas death and gore metal focus more on speed, technicality, and low-end brutality (with lyrics focused on everything from ick and murder to larger social concerns)... black metal is considerably more misanthropic.

The lyrics can range from satanism to depressive self-loathing to black magic to epic battling in the mountains to Medievalism. The sound can be anywhere from epic and orchestral (Dimmu Borgir) to minimalist and filthy (Darkthrone). Imagery usually centers around forests, snowscapes, abandoned buildings, sadomasochism (and are traditionally very black-and-white in nature).

The most classic musician garb involves corpsepaint and leather/spikes/armor of some kind, although dressing down works too. These are the guys that kill themselves, each other, and occasionally outsiders. They are the church burners, the torturers, and the haters of most things. The vibe is nihilistic, endlessly bleak, and most of all... cold.

This is music for winter, ladies and gents. And while I don't typically indulge in lists/reports like this... I find that this is a fun way to get through the winter (and impart some useless knowledge) by sharing what I enjoy listening to during the darkest and most chilling time of year. More to come soon...

- Jeffrey

Photo credit: Toria Stringer