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Unblack metal 

Unblack metal
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins
Early 1990s Scandinavia
Typical instruments
Mainstream popularity Underground, low
Other topics
Christian music
Christian music
Stylistic origins
A variety of genres evolving from Jesus music.
Cultural origins
Typical instruments
Mainstream popularity Continuous from 1990s
Subgenres
Christian alternative rock · Christian hardcore · Christian hip hop · Christian metal · Unblack metal · Christian punk · Christian rock · Contemporary Christian music
Other topics
Christian media · Contemporary worship music

Unblack metal (also known as Christian black metal) is the Christian variant of black metal.[1] It is a controversial genre, because black metal itself was developed with the intention of encouraging anti-Christian sentiment, both musically and socially. It is sometimes referred to as "Holy Unblack Metal", a term originally used by the genre-founder Horde on its influential 1994 album Hellig Usvart.[2]

Christian black metal started in 1991, Norway, when Antestor released its demo The Defeat of Satan. The band's 1998 release on Cacophonous Records label, The Return of the Black Death, proved influential on the movement. Modern unblack metal was led by groups such as Lengsel, Vaakevandring, Crimson Moonlight and Sanctifica. The Christian lyrical themes of unblack metal are usually melded with the common black metal imagery, regularly providing a Christian take on subject matter.

Contents

Characteristics

Sonically, unblack metal incorporates black metal's heavily-distorted guitars, high-pitched shrieking vocals, fast-paced rhythms and melodies, and unconventional song structures. The style varies from the grittier, minimal and raw lo-fi style of Horde to the folk influenced Viking unblack metal of Antestor and Arvinger to the polished, keyboard-driven and symphonic styles of Vaakevandring and Vardøger to the more technical style of Drottnar.

Lyrical development

Lyrically, during the early 1990s as an opposition to the early Norwegian black metal scene, the genre-founder Horde popularized the aggressive, "anti-satanic" and "crusade mentality" themes that attacked the anti-Christian thematics with ideas such as "Invert the Inverted Cross" and "Crush the Bloodied Horns of the Goat".[3] This was a dominant theme during most of the 1990s in unblack metal. Horde was so influential both musically and lyrically that several groups have copied the band's style, such as Brazil's Poems of Shadows on its album Nocturnal Blasphemous Chanting.[4]

In late 1990s, the Scandinavian groups Antestor, Crimson Moonlight and Vaakevandring set a new direction: anti-satanic lyrics were replaced with themes dealing with philosophical and ideological content. These vary from the poetic Scandinavian winter metaphors of Crimson Moonlight to the sorrowful, insightful and introspective themes of Antestor and Lengsel to Vaakevandring's themes of conversion, salvation, struggle with faith, and Bible quotes such as "Lord's Prayer".[5]

History

Emergence (early 1990s)

One of the first known bands that would later be associated with unblack metal was a Norwegian group called Antestor, who in the beginning played death/doom metal and released their first demo tape The Defeat of Satan in 1991 (at the time they were playing under the name "Crush Evil"), a second demo titled Despair in 1993, and their first full-length album Martyrium in 1994. Crush Evil appeared in the Norwegian scene during the time when the second wave of black metal was developing significantly and churches were burning. The group was quickly noticed by the leading forces of the movement, and eventually Euronymous of Mayhem was planning to force Crush Evil to split up.[6] However, Euronymous was murdered by Varg Vikernes in 1993. Crush Evil changed their name to Antestor the same year. Antestor played a brand of metal they labeled "sorrow metal" and wrote dark lyrics. Soon, Torodd Fuglesteg, head of the infamous Arctic Serenade Records, himself was impressed by the band and had Antestor record Martyrium, but problems occurred and another label called Morphine Records ended up releasing only 50 copies.[7]

Music samples:

"Invert the Inverted Cross"

Sample of "Invert the Inverted Cross" by Horde, from the album Hellig Usvart (1994). Horde's lyrical themes were known to be anti-satanic, and the music represents the older school of unblack metal.
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Joining the fray was Horde, who released their first album Hellig Usvart in 1994 on Nuclear Blast Records, one of the biggest metal music record labels. The album caused great controversy in the black metal scene, and death threats were sent to Nuclear Blast Records headquarters demanding them to release the members' names.[8] The only actual member was the Australian former Mortification/Paramaecium drummer Jayson Sherlock. The term "unblack metal" was derived from "holy unblack metal", which was a wordplay on the Norwegian band Darkthrone's "unholy black metal" term.[2] Media became interested in Horde's controversy; For example, in June 6, 1995, the Norwegian weekly newspaper Morgenbladet published an article about the phenomenon of Christian black metal, and in the article Horde's album was called "an abrupt satire of the norwegian black metal movement" and Antestor was interviewed, with the vocalist Kjetil Molnes saying "We identify ourselves as black metal as a music style, not black metal as an ideology or belief."[9][10]

Despite Horde's quick disappearance, many bands would soon rise up to take their place. The Swedish band, Admonish, was formed around 1994 or 1995, and was the first Christian black metal band in Sweden.[11] They gained notoriety for calling their style "Christian black metal" on their website.[11] This caused some debate in the metal underground and soon an anti-Admonish website was started.[11] While the band didn't release anything until 2005, the magazine Metal Hammer called Admonish "One of the leading Christian black metal bands" in a 1990s issue which focused on black metal.[11]

Modern Christian black metal (1995-)

After 1995, influenced by Horde, Christian black metal bands started releasing their first demos. The Indonesian groups Kekal and Beliah soon became associated with the movement.[12] Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic wrote that "Kekal are one of the first heavy metal bands from Jakarta, Indonesia, to make international inroads, and they may just be the first to profess Christian beliefs while performing black metal."[13] Around 1996 began appearing such early groups of Christian black metal as the Norwegian bands Lengsel, Vardøger, Arvinger, Drottnar, Vaakevandring and Stronghold, Swedish acts Sanctifica, Belzidum, and Crimson Moonlight, in Brazil, Azbuk and in Armenia Blood Covenant who are known as one of the original Christian black metal bands there. The Finnish group Mordecai was another influential Christian black metal band with their progressive touch, influencing other bands in the movement such as Lengsel. Vardoger and especially Arvinger pursued a more folk-influenced viking black metal direction as did Antestor, Drottnar and Vaakevandring.

Music samples:

"A Sovereign Fortress"

Sample of "A Sovereign Fortress" by Antestor, from the album The Return of the Black Death (1998). This sample represents Antestor's "sorrow metal" style: a mixture of viking metal and doom metal.
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Antestor's 1998 release of The Return of the Black Death proved highly influential for the Christian black metal movement. The album was released on the British Cacophonous Records -- One of the biggest labels focusing on black metal and had released records from such successful groups as Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir.[14] It became the only Christian black metal album besides Horde's Hellig Usvart to be released on a secular label in the 1990s.[15] The established British magazines Kerrang! and Terrorizer both gave the album 4 points out of 5.[16][17][18]

Vaakevandring's selftitled EP was produced by Stian Aarstad, the keyboard player of Dimmu Borgir.[19] The release achieved worldwide attention and later became recognized a "classic" in the Christian black metal scene.[20]

In 1998 Samuel Durling began running the Swedish underground label Endtime Productions that helped the scene.[21] The label also released Vardoger's 1997 songs on Whitefrozen EP in 2001. In Norway, a label called Momentum Scandinavia was set up to release Scandinavian extreme metal as well.[22]

Merger (2000s)

The Norwegian group Drottnar live at Elements of Rock, Switzerland in 2008.
The Norwegian group Drottnar live at Elements of Rock, Switzerland in 2008.

In 2000, Lengsel released its notable album Solace on Endtime Productions and it was licensed through Solid State Records in United States and Black Sun Records in Germany. Antestor also began work with Endtime Productions despite still having a valid record deal with Cacophonous, and Endtime released Martyrium. Sanctifica released Spirit of Purity on both Little Rose Productions and Rivel Records. Afterwards the band was hailed as one of the biggest names in modern Christian black metal. Crimson Moonlight also released its first studio album titled The Covenant Progress on Rivel Records, and sold over 3000 copies. The Norwegian group Vitality had changed their name to Drottnar by this point, and released its demos on an album titled Spiritual Battle on Plankton Records. This album earned Drottnar its status in the elite of Scandinavian underground.[23] Drottnar became one of the leading unblack metal bands and In 2002 released the EP Anamorphosis on Momentum Scandinavia label. In 2007, Norwegian Viking metal band Arvinger was formed and achieved notable popularity for its songs on mp3.com and eventually released these songs on an album titled Helgards Fall in 2002.[24]

Eventually both Christian and non-Christian black metal bands began to stray away from the traditional sound to a different style. Sanctifica began playing progressive metal and released the album Negative B, which received a mixed reception, and split up in 2003. Kekal began playing avant-garde metal and released the album in this 1000 Thoughts of Violence. Crimson Moonlight's style shifted to grindcore-influenced death/black metal on Veil of Remembrance (2005). Antestor changed their style to a more modern, artistic and power metal influenced dark metal.[25] Jan Axel Blomberg of Mayhem played drums on Antestor's 2005 album The Forsaken. Lengsel also strayed away from its original sound to a hybrid mixture of garage rock, hardcore punk and post-punk on the album The Kiss, The Hope 2006. During the same year, Drottnar released the full-length album titled Welterwerk, which introduced a technical extreme metal output.

Other regional scenes

Next to Scandinavia, Christian black metal has developed regional scenes prominently in the USA, South America, and Central Europe.

The Kansas City-based Frost Like Ashes is an acclaimed band in the USA.[26] Currently in the USA there is an unblack movement consisting of groups that represent raw and non-polished sound production, including Light Shall Prevail, Flaskavsae, and several others that have a record deal with labels strictly focused in the style such as Sneeuwstorm Produkties and EEE Recordings.

The South American unblack scene is known for its serious and highly radical, anti-Satanic attitude.[27] Groups such as Exousia and Deborah have performed concerts in Europe.[28] Sorrowstorm is an acclaimed band from Panama, and they were nominated for the Panamarock hard music Grammys of 2003.[29] Poems of Shadows is an example of a typical South American unblack metal band that has taken the anti-satanic concept of Horde and the radical imagery of black metal to the extreme, blurring the distinction between the styles.[4] Their music video for "Covenant Chalice of Blood" serves as an example for the radical style[30] The Brazilian group Cerimonial Sacred has achieved some attention also in the US and European scenes.[31]

In Poland, the notable groups include Abdijah, Fire Throne, and Elgibbor. The latter was featured on a short Polish-based documentary that focused on unblack metal.[32] The Netherlands has groups such as Dormant and Slechtvalk. Although the latter does not currently consider themselves as a "Christian band,"[33] their early material was openly Christian. Slechtvalk is also an acclaimed and prominent band in the Dutch metal scene, achieving some local metal chart success.[34] Holy Blood is a successful folk/unblack group from Ukraine.[35]

Other countries include some Christian black metal bands as well but have not necessarily developed a scene. For example, Fearscape is a prominent band in Australia, and Russia has groups such as Unevil Hopes.[36]

Popularity and media appeal

Frosthardr live at Immortal Metal Fest 2005, Finland. The group appeared on the Murder Music - Black Metal documentary, and has performed at the American Cornerstone Festival.
Frosthardr live at Immortal Metal Fest 2005, Finland. The group appeared on the Murder Music - Black Metal documentary, and has performed at the American Cornerstone Festival.

While black and unblack metal bands rarely achieve mainstream succes in the music world, some bands, including Antestor and Crimson Moonlight, have played at Cornerstone Festival, one of the largest Christian musical festivals in the world. The festival is held annually in Bushnell, Illinois.

In 2006 Admonish achieved wider notice when twins Emil (guitar) and Jonas Karlsson (bass) both appeared on the MTV Europe show Pimp My Ride International on October 6. On that show, in which their car was modified, the twins advertised their band and Admonish's music was played.[37][38] Horde also played its only live show ever in Nordic Fest, Oslo, Norway in November 2006. Sherlock wore a hood during the show and played both drums and sang vocals. It is rumored that the guitarists accompanying him during this were from the band Drottnar. A live album and live DVD was released from the show in 2007.

In 2007, the Norwegian band Frosthardr appeared on the documentary feature film Murder Music: A History of Black Metal (2007). They were interviewed for a minute and represented the Christian point of view in black metal music, with vocalist Daniel Ravn Fufjord saying "It is difficult to find musicians that are interested in this kind of music and share our point of view."[39]

In March 13, 2008, Blabbermouth.net reported that a documentary film on Christian black metal entitled Light in Darkness – Nemesis Divina is in production. The documentary working crew included recent Mayhem documentary producer Stefan Rydehed and David Nilsson, who will focus particularly on the Scandinavian Christian scene and groups such as Crimson Moonlight, Admonish, and Frosthardr.[40] The document premiered on late May and was shown at film and music festivals throughout the world during the summer of 2008.[41] Certain indie magazines noted the document for dealig with "The most obscure genre out of all heavy metal music styles."[42]

Controversies

Certain critics, such as Jussi Lahtonen of the Finnish indie-rock magazine Sue, have argued that separating the Christian equivalent of the style from black metal with different terms "feels rather pointless".[43] However, the early groups, Horde and Antestor, refused to call their music "black metal" because they felt that the style was strongly associated with satanism. Horde called its music "holy unblack metal," and Antestor preferred to call their music "sorrow metal" instead.[15] Currently, the Swedish groups Crimson Moonlight and Admonish are known to label their music themselves simply as "black metal." Crimson Moonlight's vocalist Simon Rosén has argued that it is justified stating:

“ We believe that all kinds of music are now neutral. I mean, a music genre cannot be “evil” itself. It all depends on the purpose: why you’re doing it and what the lyrics are about. I will use an illustration to explain: a knife in the hands of a murderer can kill life, but a knife in the hands of a doctor can save life. Now is the knife evil itself? No, it depends on how you use it. The power is in our hands to decide what we want to use music for. I know that many black metal fans react badly when we use the words “black metal” to describe our music, and we are sorry if we make people upset for that. But for us, BM is a musical genre. Listen to Veil of Remembrance and tell me what kind of music it is. I know that all BM from the beginning was all satanic and occult metal bands. But today even the secular scene says something else, because there are a lot of bands with satanic and occult lyrics (Deicide, Morbid Angel, God Among Insects) who are not called “black metal” and why is that? BM has grown and changed. We also believe that God created all tones and forms of harmonies and even styles of music. Humankind can use these gifts in different ways and styles. ”

—Simon Rosén, Crimson Moonlight in an interview with Ultimate Metal zine, 2005 [44])

On the other side, many in the black metal scene see "Christian black metal" as an impossible oxymoron: on the British black metal documentary feature film Murder Music: A History of Black Metal (2007), which was produced by Shash Media and Rockworld TV, all interviewed musicians stated when asked about the matter that black metal cannot be Christian.[39] The term "Christian black metal" drew confused replies from the black metal musicians, for example Martin Walkyier of the English metal band Sabbat commented: "'Christian black metal?' What do they do? Do they build churches? Do they repair them? (laughs)"[39] Jonathan Selzer, editor of the British metal magazine Terrorizer tells about his experiences and thoughts on the matter in the documentary:

“ "We had a debate in the [magazine's] last pages that went on for 6 weeks about whether or not you can play Christian black metal, and it all started out of a review [of a Christian black metal album] and the editor just did not know what to make of it. How can you have a religion that of which basic point is Redemption. That is one the most anti-ethical themes to black metal there is. Black metal is not about giving people over to God. Maybe there are some aspects in Christianity, maybe some Old Testament 'hang 'em high' kind of wrath that might actually find parallel with black metal. In a way that, they are not a black metal band but, 16 Horsepower, they use a very old form of Christianity which is pretty much about God's wrath. ”

—Jonathan Selzer, editor of Terrorizer in Murder Music documentary.[39]

Some of the original Norwegian black metal musicians support the idea, that black metal does not need to hold any ideologies. For example, Jan Axel Blomberg of Mayhem has said in an interview with Metal Library on January 7, 2007: "In my opinion, black metal today is just music. I will tell you that neither I nor other members of Mayhem never really were against religion or something else. We are primarily interested in music."[45] Although rejecting the idea of "Christian black metal", Satyricon's vocalist Sigurd Wongraven said in the Murder Music document that:

“ It [black metal] doesn't necessarily have to be all satanic as long as it's dark. ”

—Sigurd Wongraven, Satyricon on Murder Music documentary.[39]

List of bands

References

Notes

  1. ^ Kapelovitz, Dan (February 2001). "Heavy Metal Jesus Freaks - Headbanging for Christ". Mean Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-09-06. “And where secular Black Metal thrived, so did its Christian counterpart, Unblack Metal, with names like Satanicide, Neversatan, and Satan's Doom.” 
  2. ^ a b Erasmus, Horde Interview retrieved 2007-10-23
  3. ^ "So the album was created with a prophetic, free, submissive, obedient, reverent, anti-Satan and Christian mindset." – Horde: Interview with Son Of Man Records (retrieved 2007-11-30)
  4. ^ a b Morrow, Matt. Poems of Shadows - Nocturnal Blasphemous Chanting. The Whipping Post. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
  5. ^ "Our songs deal with personal challenges as well as on spiritual struggles." -Pål Dæhlen Interview with CrossOver
  6. ^ Eithun, Bård G. "Faust" (1990-1993, correct date unknown). "mayhem Interview". Orcustus zine. Blackmetal.nu. Retrieved on 2007-08-29.
  7. ^ Fuglested, Torudd, Arctic Serenades, retrieved 2007-10-25
  8. ^ Waters, Scott, Horde, Retrieved 2007-10-23
  9. ^ "MusikkOpp-ned oppnedkors!" (in Norwegian). Morgenbladet. Oslonett (1995-02-06). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  10. ^ EvilVasp. "Horde - Hellig Usvart". Necromancy. Open Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  11. ^ a b c d Morrow, Matt (2005-05-26). "Admonish Interview". The Whipping Post. Open Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-09-09.
  12. ^ TCU zine (2001), Kekal Interview, "We're most definitely a metal band. We don't really mind what people call us: black metal, unblack metal, white metal, black/white metal. As long as it's metal we're ok with it. Though we prefer to call our music extreme metal." (Jeff Arwadi)
  13. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Kekal". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
  14. ^ Allmusic ,Antestor - The Return of the Black Death. retrieved 2007-10-25
  15. ^ a b Morrow, Matt (2001). "Antestor - The Return of the Black Death". The Whipping Post. Open Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-08-29.
  16. ^ "Antestor interview". Art for the Ears. Open Publishing (1998-12-12). Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  17. ^ Morrow, Matt (2001). "Antestor - Det Tapte Liv Death". The Whipping Post. Open Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-08-29.
  18. ^ "Antestor Interview". The Christian Underground Zine Issue 4. Open Publishing (2000). Retrieved on 2007-08-29. Quote= Interviewer: "However, you had a record deal with Cacophonous Records (ex - Cradle of Filth, Bal-Sagoth). What kind of experiences did you get from that?" Antestor: "Pretty bad, actually. I can't say they did anything else than publish the album. No money, no royalties, nothing." Interviewer: Did the record company set any demands concerning your image?" Antestor: "Nothing like that, they just said that it's not recommendable for us go absolutely everywhere announcing that we're a Christian band and they censored the words "Lord" and "Jesus" from our lyrics sheet. We ourselves removed few texts because we didn't want to provoke." (translated from Finnish)
  19. ^ Vaakevandring, (German) CrossOver. Retrieved 2007-12-2
  20. ^ Morrow, Matt: Vaakevandring - demo 98/99 retrieved 2007-10-25
  21. ^ Jonsson, Johannes: Christian Metal History "Endtime Productions: This was also the year when Samuel Durling from Mental Destruction chose to start up the new Christian metal label Endtime Productions in Sweden. This cool label has released albums with great bands like Extol, Antestor, Anaemia and many more and the label is still active to this day." retrieved 2007-10-25
  22. ^ Jonsson, Johannes: Christian Metal History "Momentum Scandinavia: The folks behind Nordic Mission and Nordicfest felt the need to pursue and help Extreme Christian Metal bands in Scandinavia, so they started up the label Momentum Scandinavia. Through the years they have released albums with great bands like Antestor" retrieved 2007-10-25
  23. ^ "Drottnar". Info-Black.com - The Ultimate Black Metal Informative Site. Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
  24. ^ Morrow, Matt Arvinger - Helgards Fall. retrieved 2007-10-25
  25. ^ Ryhänen, Pekka (2004-04-29). "Antestor - Det Tapte Liv". Imperiumi.net. Open Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-08-29. (in Finnish). Translated quote: "[Their] old dark and slow sorrow metal has changed into more modern, artistic and fast dark metal."
  26. ^ "Frost Like Ashes Signs With Sullen Records - Mar. 13, 2008". Blabbermouth.net. Open Publishing (2008-03-13). Retrieved on 2008-03-15. “The follow-up to the group's 2006 acclaimed album "Tophet" will be issued this May and will be available as a limited release, with only 250 units to be produced.”
  27. ^ Black Metal Primer Redux Heaven’s Metal #67 2-3/07
  28. ^ Deborah (MEX) at Finlands Underground Festival 2005; Exousia (MEX) at Finlands Underground Festival
  29. ^ Sorrowstorm Biography at PureVolume
  30. ^ Poems of Shadows - Covenant Chalise of Blood. Youtube
  31. ^ Cerimonial Sacred - Our War Is Only Against Hell, The Whipping Post
  32. ^ Unblack metal - raj document ch.1. Youtube
  33. ^ Slechtvalk Metal Message
  34. ^ Slectvalk. Lords of Metal interview; Slechtvalk, Klokradio.nl
  35. ^ Morrow, Matt, (2006-01-18) Bombworks Records interview,"David: Without a question, Holy Blood has been our top seller. Waves Are Dancing has been the best seller, but The Wanderer has certainly been no slouch.", The Whipping Post, retrieved 2007-10-20.
  36. ^ Unevil Hopes Chronicles of Chaos.
  37. ^ Jansson, AnnaMaria.(2006-09-15) Rishögen blev lyxbil. Aftonbladet (Swedish). retrieved 2007-10-25.
  38. ^ Agency: Pimp My Ride på svenska (Swedish). retrieved 2007-10-25.
  39. ^ a b c d e Shash Media & Rockwrold TV, Murder Music – Black Metal document. Inverviews: Luscious Rene. Interviewees: Mantas (Venom), Dani Filth, Sabbat, Satyricon, Black Widow, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, and Immortal. Retrieved 2007-10-23 2007
  40. ^ "New Black Metal Documentary In Production: 'Light In Darkness - Nemesis Divina'". Blabbermouth. Roadrunner Records (2008-03-13). Retrieved on 2008-03-13.
  41. ^ "Christian Black Metal Documentary 'Light In Darkness' To Receive World Premiere Tomorrow". Blabbermouth. Roadrunner Records (2008-05-28). Retrieved on 2008-06-01.
  42. ^ Suezine / Suomi Finland Perkele Metal Magazine #119. Page 31. News section.
  43. ^ Lahtonen, Jussi (2005-10-25). "White Metal" (in Finnish). Sue Rock Punk Metal Zine. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. “Jotkut ovat vaivautuneet kikkailemaan semanttisesti nimeämällä tyylit uudestaan life metaliksi ja Anti-black metaliksi, mikä tuntuu melko turhalta. (Some [Christian metal fans] have bothered to come up with semantical gimmicks and rename the genres [death metal and black metal] as life metal and Anti-black metal, which feels rather pointless.”
  44. ^ Jordan, Jason (2005). "Crimson Moonlight - At Their Most Brutal". Ultimate Metal webzine. Ultimatemetal.com. Retrieved on 2005-05-15-05-15.
  45. ^ Skogtroll (2007-01-07). "Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg):"I just have wonderful memories of your country!"" (in Russian (google-translated to English)). Metal Library. Open Publishing. Retrieved on 2008-06-24.

External links

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