Weakling - Dead as Dreams

One of the best USMB albums ever, IMO.

I have very mixed feelings about USBM, it always kind of bothered me that my band is based in America, mostly because I don't like the States that much but, when it comes to Canada I think the best BM comes out of Quebec - the most hated province in the country.

There is one thing I can say about USBM, they are some really good DSBM bands. Aside from that, it seems like the US is filled with BM bands that live in the city, try too hard and are too arrogant without the right ideology, experiance and history within the culture...then again, that's pretty typical of most Americans. Sorry to the American members here, I know not all of you are like this, it's mostly a product of American government, US media, the history of the country and the over the top patriotic citizens of your nation... I've an American wife, lived in the US for over four years and may be making my second "tour" there soon again, and I've met some Americans that are fuckin' great people/friends.

Written by Bitter Dawn on 23.10.2009 at 11:57

it seems like the US is filled with BM bands that live in the city, try too hard and are too arrogant without the right ideology, experiance and history within the culture...then again, that's pretty typical of most Americans. Sorry to the American members here, I know not all of you are like this, it's mostly a product of American government, US media, the history of the country and the over the top patriotic citizens of your nation...

Black metal is a genre of music like any other form of music one might desire to play. It doesn't require its participants to have certainly personality traits (humility?) or live in a rural setting (!?!?).

Of course if you prefer BM bands that come from isolated Norwegian villages, eschew modern conveniences, and adhere to whatever ideological rigors you've established for them, then that's your right. But you shouldn't let your prejudices about a country get in the way of enjoying good music.

I guess being a maple-syrup eating, Tragically Hip-listening, socialist pansy with hockey hair you wouldn't know that.

(And of course I didn't mean any of that last sentence, just trying to show that stereotypes work both ways.)

Written by Hexenmeister on 24.10.2009 at 03:02

Written by Bitter Dawn on 23.10.2009 at 11:57

it seems like the US is filled with BM bands that live in the city, try too hard and are too arrogant without the right ideology, experiance and history within the culture...then again, that's pretty typical of most Americans. Sorry to the American members here, I know not all of you are like this, it's mostly a product of American government, US media, the history of the country and the over the top patriotic citizens of your nation...

Black metal is a genre of music like any other form of music one might desire to play. It doesn't require its participants to have certainly personality traits (humility?) or live in a rural setting (!?!?).

Of course if you prefer BM bands that come from isolated Norwegian villages, eschew modern conveniences, and adhere to whatever ideological rigors you've established for them, then that's your right. But you shouldn't let your prejudices about a country get in the way of enjoying good music.

I guess being a maple-syrup eating, Tragically Hip-listening, socialist pansy with hockey hair you wouldn't know that.

(And of course I didn't mean any of that last sentence, just trying to show that stereotypes work both ways.)

lol fuck man..do I hate the Tragically Hip, funny you mention them because, my younger brother is so "normal" we'll say, that he thought Fenriz's "Red Planet" sounds like the Hip.

I will thank-you for reminding me of Weakling though, I can recall seeing their name mentioned a few times on here throughout the years but never look into them until yesterday and, what a fucking phenomal album it is indeed.A huge shame they're no longer recording music.

Besides, I said my good bits about the US in general :p it's just most of the BM from the States that is sub-par, and I'll say it again, they've some pretty good DSBM bands.

I actually agree with you that most USBM isn't that good.

I think it's more to do with BM not being very popular here. A lot of acts just try to copy what they hear from Scandinavia rather than do their own thing because it's all they know.

Written by Hexenmeister on 25.10.2009 at 03:11

I actually agree with you that most USBM isn't that good.

I think it's more to do with BM not being very popular here. A lot of acts just try to copy what they hear from Scandinavia rather than do their own thing because it's all they know.

I can see how you would think that man, it bothers me how Wolves In The Throne Room are one of the better known active bands from the US. Don't care for them myself, fairly talented musicians but, after living in the same town as them I got a chance to see through the bullshit of their music.
It doesn't make any sense I know but, I just don't think some thing clicks with American musicians and BM. A genre obviously isn't nationally defined or limited to a certain area but, they're a severe lack of good BM bands from the US that or, there are way more shitty ones that come out and disappear, then replaced by equally shitty ones. Americans are great at thrash, hard rock, blues and death metal, they seem to have a nichè for those genres best. Maybe a few gems like Weakling will pop up every handful of years as time goes on, here's hoping at least.

Written by Hexenmeister on 25.10.2009 at 03:11

I actually agree with you that most USBM isn't that good.

I think it's more to do with BM not being very popular here. A lot of acts just try to copy what they hear from Scandinavia rather than do their own thing because it's all they know.

as far as mediocrity goes, i think that extends well beyond the US. i would imagine it's actually WORSE in places where BM is popular. popularity <> quality. if anything, the more popular, the more diluted the talent pool.

and it extends well beyond just BM as well.

i also think the US is a difficult country to compare against other countries when discussing musical genres and movements, as a result of population and geography. we have states as large as european countries. (Arizona is almost the size of either Norway or Finnland).

with everything so spread out, it's much more difficult for any kind of national scene or movement to coalesce. it's in pockets - and whereas you can drive from one end of Norway to the other in an evening to gather with like-minded people, that's much less an option in the US.

we have a national identity as a whole, but the way of life, personal philosophies, etc are wildly different from area to area.

finally, unlike Europe, which has had a long history (compared to us), and unique national identities based upon heritage, we are just a melting pot... we take bits and pieces of other cultures/identities and assimilate it.

anything we do will either be unique on it's own or if imported from elsewhere just a bastardized version of what was brought in.

Hæthen

I thought this may interest some. Just a band I found searching around MA. They released their debut demo just last year and it's up in full on their myspace (above) and it sounds pretty good. They're kind of going for the mystical/nihilist thing, but regardless, it's better than a lot of USBM I've heard. May also get this thread re-awakened too. Any other newer USBM acts people have heard recently?

I think the one of the few, is not only, BM band from US is Mirkwood...oh - and Wolves In The Throne Room, obviously...

but overall USA isnt the country for black metal...as well as "viking" and "pagan" metal outta there sounds often weird...

Vrolok.
Njiqahdda.
Fanisk and Eldrig (as long as the NSBM aesthetic doesn't bother you)
Velvet Cacoon.
Lurker of Chalice.
Judas Iscariot.

Pooh-poohing all black metal from such a large country for what seems to be no real reason is stupid. There is quite a lot of mediocrity in "USBM" but there are certainly good bands too.

Written by Inlé on 18.01.2010 at 14:26

(as long as the NSBM aesthetic doesn't bother you)

it depends...if it is "NSBM" like Temnozor or Nokturnal Mortum, then not at all...if it are like "Aryan Kapmf 88" or "Waffen SS" bands, then i would really consider it...

Written by Ellrohir on 18.01.2010 at 15:44

Written by Inlé on 18.01.2010 at 14:26

(as long as the NSBM aesthetic doesn't bother you)

it depends...if it is "NSBM" like Temnozor or Nokturnal Mortum, then not at all...if it are like "Aryan Kapmf 88" or "Waffen SS" bands, then i would really consider it...

It is indeed closer to the Nokturnal Mortum family in that sai themes are more resigned and less prominent in the music. The music itself is extremely majstic and grandiose soundwise, as well, which obviously isn't dissimilar from a lot of the Ukrainian sect.

It's certainly not like Waffen SS, that sort of stuff is utter tripe.

I will definitely check Eldrig...and Fanisk maybe too, if i find some stuff

Written by Inlé on 18.01.2010 at 14:26

Fanisk and Eldrig (as long as the NSBM aesthetic doesn't bother you)

Fanisk are awesome. I can't say I'm familiar with Eldrig, do you mind recommending me anything by them?

Both projects are by the same guy.

It's not a complete forgone conclusion that liking one would mean liking the other by default, but there's obviously a lot of similarities between the two. I'd start with "Everlasting War Divinity" or "Mysterion" when it comes to Eldrig.

I prefer Fanisk, but both projects are definitely good.

Written by Ellrohir on 18.01.2010 at 15:44

Written by Inlé on 18.01.2010 at 14:26

(as long as the NSBM aesthetic doesn't bother you)

it depends...if it is "NSBM" like Temnozor or Nokturnal Mortum, then not at all...if it are like "Aryan Kapmf 88" or "Waffen SS" bands, then i would really consider it...

In US has NSBM bnand sbut there more popular NS Skinheads movement who's in war whit KKK , groops like Nazie Lowriders, WAR Skins or others they have own muisc who's has NS lyrics like Eternal Heitred and guyw hit name Mick Mocke or waht it calls damn Nat Geo HD is good channel, Biker Wars, American skin Heads, KKK Nowdays was good documentaries to more understand how stupid such people can be
Now im looking true MA USA bands and saving those waht I shood listen and letter E from A-E I dont rermeber any NSBM band from USA maybe there was but id ont remeber

Wolves in the Throne Room - all albums
Weakling
Agalloch (if it's classified as BM)
Xasthur
Krallice

Malefic of Xasthur says he will no longer make music under the name of Xasthur due to lack of inspiration. I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of happy about all of this http://xasthurnews.blogspot.com/2010/03/out-now-and-ending-now.html

Written by Bitter Dawn on 23.10.2009 at 11:57

when it comes to Canada I think the best BM comes out of Quebec - the most hated province in the country.

It's funny how Canadians hate us...EXCEPT when a referendum comes around : then they suddenly love us! The hypocrisy!

Regardless of politics, I am definitely a USBM fan. Some of the stuff coming out of the States these days is just so interesting...and diverse! The diversity is really interesting.

A few bands that I am really into these days :

Gravespawn :http://www.myspace.com/gravespawn
Lake of Blood : http://www.myspace.com/thedarkestpath

Written by SilentScream on 31.03.2010 at 16:36

Written by Bitter Dawn on 23.10.2009 at 11:57

when it comes to Canada I think the best BM comes out of Quebec - the most hated province in the country.

It's funny how Canadians hate us...EXCEPT when a referendum comes around : then they suddenly love us! The hypocrisy!

Regardless of politics, I am definitely a USBM fan. Some of the stuff coming out of the States these days is just so interesting...and diverse! The diversity is really interesting.

A few bands that I am really into these days :

Gravespawn :http://www.myspace.com/gravespawn
Lake of Blood : http://www.myspace.com/thedarkestpath

Eh, I'm still rather unsure about USBM. As unblack as Nachtmystium's latest release may be, I still like them a good deal. I actually found the two bands you linked to be a bit unoriginal and some what bland though man, Lake Of Blood being the better of the two. However, your band Phosphorus seems much more original and interesting, plenty of diversity in guitar riffs, good bass lines (congrats) and your drummer is quite good. Thus, when it comes to bm from North America, Quebec takes the cake, a city I'll have to visit some day.

Written by Bitter Dawn on 08.04.2010 at 01:22

Written by SilentScream on 31.03.2010 at 16:36

Written by Bitter Dawn on 23.10.2009 at 11:57

when it comes to Canada I think the best BM comes out of Quebec - the most hated province in the country.

It's funny how Canadians hate us...EXCEPT when a referendum comes around : then they suddenly love us! The hypocrisy!

Regardless of politics, I am definitely a USBM fan. Some of the stuff coming out of the States these days is just so interesting...and diverse! The diversity is really interesting.

A few bands that I am really into these days :

Gravespawn :http://www.myspace.com/gravespawn
Lake of Blood : http://www.myspace.com/thedarkestpath

Eh, I'm still rather unsure about USBM. As unblack as Nachtmystium's latest release may be, I still like them a good deal. I actually found the two bands you linked to be a bit unoriginal and some what bland though man, Lake Of Blood being the better of the two. However, your band Phosphorus seems much more original and interesting, plenty of diversity in guitar riffs, good bass lines (congrats) and your drummer is quite good. Thus, when it comes to bm from North America, Quebec takes the cake, a city I'll have to visit some day.

Cool! Thanks man! I am glad to see that some people here like our stuff.

I am straying off topic here, but most people really like Quebec City when they visit. The old city has a very european feel to it, it is very neat. Where are you from?

Addressing a few posts from a while back, I think that by and large, black metal wherever it may originate has become painfully watered-down thanks to the influx of bands stemming from the communities created around it, relative ease of performing the genre, and the "me too" attitude that many have. Personally, I think that the current state of the music would be in better shape if the creators gave their creation a thorough, critical examination before showering the internet with it.

Granted, I do have some stake in the band since I am currently the one releasing their material, but IMYNVOKAD is definitely a USBM band worth hearing. Innovative, and highly captivating occult black metal.

Latest release: Ad Ordines Descendens 7" (forgive the large size of the picture)


Song sample.

And a review of it: Contaminated Tones

I don't know if this band has been mentioned here (forgive me for being lazy), but I have recently been quite impressed by a band Serpent Lord. They (well, he, it's a one-man band, how very tr00 that is) have only one Demo entitled "The Order of The Snake". Actually, I don't know why is it a Demo, it has 8 songs and it's around 50 minutes long. Sounds like a full-length to me. Anyway, I think it's pretty awesome indeed. And the song "Warcult of One" is quite probably one of the most brilliant songs I've ever heard. Such an incredible and well-measured mix of rawness and melody is something I rarely get chance to hear. You have it all on YouTube, so I urge you to check at least that song out. The rest pale in comparison, but are quite good nonetheless.

^^ Woah Serpent Lord is amazing!

Most of the BM bands that spawn from the US are mediocre however that does not apply to all of them. A few examples Weakling, Wolves in the Throne Room, Nachtmystium, Absu, Averse Sefira, Judas Iscariot, Leviathan, Havohej, Von, Kult ov Azazel, Krieg, Xasthur and many more. Even though there are only a few above average albums among the many, I think that BM belongs to the US.

You think that Black Metal belongs to the US? Am I seeing things or did you just say that?

It's been said before but like every other country it has some great bands but also many average and awful ones, so discussing which country has the best scene is pretty much a moot point. Remember though that Xasthur, Weakling, Von (or at least haven't done anything in modern history) and Judas Iscariot are no more and Nachtmystium don't really make black metal now.

I definitely don't think Black metal belongs to the USA. We're in the fortunate situation that in this current day and age, there are many countries with strong, original and creative scenes. And we'll always have the past, as well. That's what I like about the future. There'll be more past works to enjoy

All that said, Weakling's fucking genius.

Of the few US black metal bands I've listened to, Demoncy has impressed me the most, with Joined in Darkness. I also like Necrovore (if we count them as black metal), Von, Absu and Grand Belial's Key but I feel like something is missing from their music, I don't get this "fuck! everything here makes perfect sense" feeling when listening to these bands.

The songs I've listened to from Negative Plane and Fanisk have also impressed me on some levels, although I think I should listen to their albums from start to finish in order to properly evaluate them.

Well, what's the alternative to USBM?

Because to say that a genre MUST be confined to one country is wrong. Think of the origins of black metal itself! Venom from the UK, Hellhammer from Switzerland, Bathory from Sweden and Mercyful Fate from Denmark...yes, they're all from Europe, but none of them are from one country in particular.

Let black metalists rise from wherever they may, and may the best ones dominate!