Black Metal vs. Second Wave Black Metal

Attribute	Black Metal	Second Wave Black Metal
Origins	Norway, late 1980s	Norway, early 1990s
Sound	Raw, lo-fi production, shrieked vocals, fast tempos	More polished production, still retains rawness, blast beats, tremolo picking
Lyrics	Satanism, paganism, anti-Christian themes	Similar themes as Black Metal, but with more focus on nature, folklore, and Norse mythology
Influence	Influenced by first wave Black Metal bands like Venom and Bathory	Influenced by Black Metal bands like Mayhem, Darkthrone, and Burzum
Impact	Controversial, sparked church burnings and murders in Norway	Helped popularize Black Metal globally, influenced many bands in the genre

Origins

Black Metal originated in the early 1980s in Europe, with bands like Venom and Bathory paving the way for the genre. Known for its dark and aggressive sound, Black Metal often incorporates themes of Satanism, paganism, and anti-Christianity. Second Wave Black Metal emerged in the early 1990s, primarily in Norway, with bands like Mayhem, Burzum, and Darkthrone leading the charge. This subgenre of Black Metal focused more on creating a raw and lo-fi sound, with lyrics often centered around Norse mythology and nature.

Musical Style

Black Metal is characterized by its fast tempos, shrieked vocals, and tremolo-picked guitar riffs. The production quality is often intentionally lo-fi, giving the music a raw and chaotic feel. Second Wave Black Metal took this rawness to the extreme, with even lower production quality and a more aggressive sound. Blast beats and dissonant chords are common in both subgenres, creating a sense of chaos and aggression in the music.

Lyrical Themes

Black Metal lyrics often focus on themes of darkness, evil, and the occult. Satanism and anti-Christianity are common topics, with some bands even incorporating themes of violence and misanthropy. Second Wave Black Metal shifted the focus to Norse mythology, nature, and the concept of "True Norwegian Black Metal." Lyrics in this subgenre often celebrate the beauty of the natural world and pay homage to ancient Norse gods and traditions.

Visual Aesthetics

Black Metal is known for its dark and often controversial visual aesthetics. Corpse paint, spikes, and leather are common elements of the Black Metal look, with bands often using imagery of death and decay in their album art and promotional materials. Second Wave Black Metal took this aesthetic to a new level, with bands like Mayhem and Gorgoroth incorporating more extreme and provocative imagery in their stage shows and music videos.

Influence

Black Metal has had a significant influence on the broader metal scene, with bands like Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, and Behemoth incorporating elements of Black Metal into their music. Second Wave Black Metal, in particular, has had a lasting impact on the genre, inspiring countless bands to embrace a more raw and aggressive sound. The DIY ethos of Second Wave Black Metal has also influenced the underground metal scene, with many bands opting for lo-fi production and a more DIY approach to recording and releasing music.

Legacy

Black Metal and Second Wave Black Metal have left a lasting legacy on the metal scene, with both subgenres continuing to inspire new generations of musicians. While Black Metal remains a diverse and evolving genre, Second Wave Black Metal is often seen as a defining moment in the history of the genre. The raw and aggressive sound of Second Wave Black Metal has become a hallmark of the genre, influencing countless bands and shaping the sound of modern Black Metal.