Black Metal Proper vs. First Wave Black Metal

Attribute	Black Metal Proper	First Wave Black Metal
Origin	Norway, Sweden, Finland	England
Year of Origin	1990s	1980s
Themes	Satanism, Paganism, Nature	Satanism, Occultism
Musical Style	Raw, Atmospheric, Symphonic	Raw, Aggressive
Influences	Second Wave Black Metal, Death Metal	Punk, Heavy Metal

Origins

Black Metal Proper, also known as Second Wave Black Metal, emerged in the early 1990s as a response to the First Wave Black Metal movement of the 1980s. First Wave Black Metal, on the other hand, originated in the early 1980s with bands like Venom, Bathory, and Hellhammer paving the way for the genre. While First Wave Black Metal was characterized by a raw and primitive sound, Black Metal Proper introduced more complex song structures and production techniques.

Musical Style

First Wave Black Metal was known for its aggressive and abrasive sound, often featuring fast tempos, distorted guitars, and harsh vocals. Black Metal Proper, on the other hand, incorporated elements of melody and atmosphere into the music, creating a more dynamic and immersive listening experience. While both subgenres share a focus on darkness and occult themes, Black Metal Proper tends to explore these themes in a more nuanced and introspective way.

Lyrics

Lyrically, First Wave Black Metal often focused on themes of Satanism, blasphemy, and anti-Christian sentiment. Black Metal Proper, on the other hand, delved into a wider range of topics, including nature, mythology, and existential philosophy. While both subgenres use extreme and provocative imagery in their lyrics, Black Metal Proper tends to approach these themes with a more poetic and philosophical sensibility.

Visual Aesthetics

First Wave Black Metal bands were known for their DIY aesthetic, often using crude and lo-fi imagery in their album artwork and promotional materials. Black Metal Proper, on the other hand, embraced a more polished and professional visual style, with elaborate album covers and theatrical stage performances. While both subgenres utilize dark and occult imagery, Black Metal Proper tends to present these visuals in a more sophisticated and artistic manner.

Influence

First Wave Black Metal had a significant impact on the development of extreme metal genres, inspiring bands like Mayhem, Darkthrone, and Emperor to push the boundaries of the genre. Black Metal Proper, on the other hand, expanded the sonic palette of black metal, incorporating elements of folk, ambient, and progressive music into the genre. While both subgenres continue to influence a wide range of metal bands, Black Metal Proper has been credited with bringing a new level of musical sophistication and experimentation to the genre.