As for the genre of black metal, there have been different categories of bands, and because I have always been fond of atmospheric/symphonic style I discovered some outstanding black metal bands like Arkhtinn, Olio Tähtien Takana, Escumergäment, and Embryonic Slumber. The old-fashioned black metal bands like Darkthrone, Cult of Eibon, and Archgoat delivered great outputs, among my favorite releases of 2021 came from the rising black metal band Ninkharsag, and Thulcandra whose quality matches bands like Dissection, the Ukrainian brigade 1914 new album became one my favorite albums.

For fantasy and melodic black metal, the U.S. formation Stormkeep’s first full-length album was the fan’s favorite by this genre. The perfect comeback this year was from the French symphonic/melodic black metal masters Seth. The surprising return of the Finnish black metal outfit Darkwoods My Betrothed was quite thrilling their songs exert massive symphonic weight and anthemic black metal melodies. Other releases from the black metal act like Spectral Wound, Arkhtinn, and Wolves In The Throne Room have been more impressive than what I anticipated. Among the year’s surprises came from the former member Proscriptor of the U.S. black/thrash metal band Absu who launched his new band under the banner of Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû.

This is my complete list of favorite black metal albums, if you think you have missed something you can always refer to my list.

1. Thulcandra – A Dying Wish (Review)
2. Wolves In The Throne Room – Primordial Arcana (Review)
3. Arkhtinn – 二度目の災害 (Review)
4. Archgoat – Worship The Eternal Darkness (Review)
5. Funeral Mist – Deiform (Review)
6. Escumergamënt – ni degu fazentz escumergamënt e mesorga (Review)
7. Stormkeep – Tales of Othertime (Review)
8. The Ruins Of Beverast – The Thule Grimoires (Review)
9. Darkwoods My Betrothed – Angel Of Carnage Unleashed (Review)
10. Olio Tähtien Takana – Spectral Katharsis (Review)
11. Ninkharsag – The Dread March of Solemn Gods (Review)
12. Cult of Eibon – Black Flame Dominion (Review)
13. Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû – Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû (Review)
14. 1914 – Where Fear and Weapons Meet (Review)
15. Spectral Wound – A Diabolic Thirst (Review)
16. Craven Idol – Forked Tongues (Review)
17. Darkthrone – Eternal Hails…… (Review)
18. Forhist – Forhist (Review)
19. Bekëth Nexëhmü – De Fornas Likgaldrar (Review)
20. Paysage d’Hiver – Geister (Review)
21. Misotheist – For The Glory of Your Redeemer (Review)
22. Mānbryne – O Udręce Ciała I Tułaczce Duszy (Review)
23. Embyonic Slumber – In Worship Our Blood is Buried (Review)
24. Chamber of Unlight – Realm of the Night (Review)
25. Warmoon Lord – Battlespells (Review)

So, let’s begin now with my overall top 10 albums on the next page…