Založení názvu tohoto hudebního stylu se pøiznává kapele Venom, konkrétnì albu Black Metal z roku 1982. Další kapelou patøící k NWOBHM, která pøispìla ke vzniku black metalu je kapela Witchfynde (skladba "wake up screaming") nebo Death SS (skladba “Murder Angels“). K dalšímu definování typických znakù stylu došlo zøejmì díky Bathory (první polovina osmdesátých let) a Celtic Frost, Hellhammer, první alba Slayer a Possessed. Z èeských blackmetalových kapel mùžeme zmínit napø. Master's Hammer, Root (druhá polovina osmdesátých let), Törr, kteøí však stále tvrdí, že hrají „jen o nìco tvrdší rock'n'roll“, èi již neexistující kapelu RITUAL, dále potom Enochian, Maniac Butcher, Infernal Heretic nebo tøeba Morrior.

Další rozmach tento styl zaznamenal v Norsku poèátkem devadesátých let v podobì tzv. druhé vlny black metalu. Tam vznikly jedny z nejvýznamnìjších kapel: Burzum, Darkthrone, Emperor, Mayhem, Satyricon, Immortal. Tyto kapely bývají oznaèovány jako True Norwegian black metal (TNBM, pravý norský black metal) nebo Pure black metal.

Na souèasné èeské scénì se pohybují kapely jako Lingam, Solfernus, Oblomov, Trollech, Heiden, Stíny plamenù, Sezarbil, Wyrm, Svardenvyrd, Hyperborean Desire, Forest, Silva Nigra, Sorath, Adultery, Born in Morgue, Anubion, Bleeding Death, Sekhmet, Inferno, Tautenauer 666, Surt, Naurrakar, a další. Pro narùstající rozmanitost subžánrù black metalu se pomalu zaèíná používat oznaèení tzv. tøetí vlny black metalu.

Black metal is an extreme subgenre and subculture of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieking (sometimes growling or both) vocal style, heavily distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, raw (lo-fi) recording, unconventional song structures, and an emphasis on atmosphere, though many other characteristics and techniques may be employed. Artists often appear in corpse paint and adopt pseudonyms.

During the 1980s, several thrash and death metal bands formed a prototype for black metal. This so-called first wave included bands such as Venom, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, Hellhammer and Celtic Frost. A second wave arose in the early 1990s, spearheaded by Norwegian bands such as Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum, Gorgoroth, Immortal and Emperor. The early Norwegian black metal scene developed the style of their forebears into a distinct genre. Norwegian-inspired black metal scenes emerged throughout Europe and North America, although some other scenes developed their own styles independently. Some prominent Swedish bands spawned during this second wave. Bands such as Marduk, Nifelheim and Dark Funeral are notable examples.

Initially a synonym for "Satanic metal," black metal is often met with hostility from mainstream culture, due to the actions and ideologies associated with it. Many artists express extreme anti-Christian and misanthropic views, advocating various forms of Satanism or ethnic paganism. In the 1990s, members of the scene were responsible for a spate of church burnings and murders. There is also a small neo-Nazi movement within black metal, although it has been shunned by many prominent artists. Generally, black metal strives to be inaccessible to the mainstream and those who are not committed.

Black Metal