Hey there, I am artist and I draw a lot late in evenings. Can you suggest some metal that I can listen to when sitting for hours? Something that plays in the background and don't draw attention? To replace background noise and annoying family members etc.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions, thanks!

I never go out of my way to listen to background music, but I find a lot of atmospheric stuff works rather well. Pretty much any post-metal/atmospheric sludge band and atmospheric black metal band will work, and a lot of melodic death metal as well.

Funeral doom and progressive metal work well too, even though funeral doom is good for its repetition and lack of variation while prog is good for its unnecessary technicality.

Try Moonsorrow, especially the album "V: Hävitetty". It's fairly ambient and generally not invasive, so it makes for good background music.

Here, perfect for background music.

http://www.metalstorm.net/forum/topic.php?topic_id=28080

Ambient works well, same with drone.


Try Sunn O))) and Earth.

Thanks everyone, I'll check it out later.

This is ridicilously vague, you know. Anything that you consider pleasant and unobtrusive can work as background music, so it's pretty dependant on person. I've always found 2nd wave black metal to be a nice mood setter, but others would cringe at it. What kind of sounds do you consider pleasant or relaxing, and what kind of music do you enjoy in general?

Aphex Twin
Carbon Based Lifeforms
Steve Roach

Devin Townsend's Ghost is recommended too.

You should try some post-black, blackgaze or black/ambient. I'd recommend Cold Body Radiation, Lantlôs and ColdWorld. You can also try some astral black metal bands like Darkspace, Alrakis, Sun Of The Blind and Chaos Moon. Those bands try to create a good ambient spacey atmosphere that isn't distracting and inspiring at the same time. If you're trying to draw something sinister, you should listen to Reverorum Ib Malacht or some industrial stuff by Blut Aus Nord.

Usually if I'm drawing or in need of some background music for something similar, I usually listen to (and recommend, if you like it):

- Riverside: Second Life Syndrome, Out of Myself and their latest Memories In My Head.
- King Crimson: any.
- Dream Theater - A Change of Seasons, Falling Into Infinity etc.
- Dol Theeta
- Ulver
- Anathema

Otherwise movie soundtracks or other non-metal tunes etc.

Try everything "atmospheric". It will be useful as it creates a good atmosphere (if it's good).

Hmmm... Summoning and Moonsorrow; long albums, no change of pace and nice atmospheres.. Shoegaze also sets a nice "artistic inspiration" vibe.

Ghost by the Devin Townsend Project and Repose by Omit.

I agree with IronAngel, depends on your tastes, and I daresay what you consider good "background" music would be something you would also enjoy if you were to focus on that music. In other words "background" music would depend upon your tastes in "foreground" music, if you know what I mean. Personally though nothing works better than Ozric Tentacles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVZxpoq166Q

Download Screamer Radio, go to Presets -> By Category -> Downtempo and Lounge (1-50) -> di.fm Ambient / di.fm Lounge / di.fm. Chillout.

Perfect for audio relaxation and long working hours.

If you specifically want metal/rock, try insturmental post- or sludge music. God Is An Astronaut, Tides of Nebula, Explosions in the Sky, Long Distance Calling, Year of No Light, etc. Devin Townsend has a couple of sweet downtempo/ambient albums.

Also, you could try Bonobo or Blockhead, the latter being fantastic instumental-chillout-lounge hip hop artist. And I do mean artist, the stuff that man pulls off with his beats.

Written by M C Vice on 15.06.2012 at 15:30

Ghost by the Devin Townsend Project and Repose by Omit.

Both albums are perfect background music

Thanks everyone. So many bands, I have whole weekend to explore them. I already listened to some of them and Moonsorrow with Summoning kicks ass.

Written by R'Vannith on 15.06.2012 at 16:55

Ozric Tentacles

Lol, nice! This band has been around forever! I first discovered them thru a Rush fanzine in the early '90s. Awesome rec!

Written by Spellsword95 on 15.06.2012 at 21:25

Thanks everyone. So many bands, I have whole weekend to explore them. I already listened to some of them and Moonsorrow with Summoning kicks ass.

I've found Alcest and Agalloch are generally good choices for when I'm making art. I've also found Opeth's 'Damnation' is really good for just concentrating and having background stuff going on, it's very nerve-calming.

Ixion's To The Void. I forgot about it.

Written by tea[m]ster on 15.06.2012 at 21:55


Lol, nice! This band has been around forever! I first discovered them thru a Rush fanzine in the early '90s. Awesome rec!

Yeah they're an oldie, been around since the late 80's I think. Great spacey stuff to chill out to or have playing while I'm reading, writing a paper or something along those lines. I imagine it might inspire some artistic folks as well.

Written by dougver1 on 17.06.2012 at 00:47

I've found Alcest and Agalloch are generally good choices.

totaly agreed...

Opeth- Blackwater Park (haunting, dark, and beautiful)/ Morningrise (melancholy beauty)

Spaces - Nothing Exists But Atoms and The Void
Shells - Plains of the Purple Buffalo

prog rock/metal!

The new Burzum is a nice background album as well

Porcupine Tree is pretty ambient, it's not metal or rock, it's just in between.

Written by Bonna on 22.06.2012 at 17:11
The new Burzum is a nice background album as well

And coincidentally a great album to kill yourself to.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 23.06.2012 at 00:07

Written by Bonna on 22.06.2012 at 17:11
The new Burzum is a nice background album as well

And coincidentally a great album to kill yourself to.

I was waiting for that

King Crimson.

Wolves in the throne room