Ok, this is a hard topic to search for, due to the staggering amount of variations that could be used in the title. So if this topic exists, please just link me to it. So lately my go to bands have been Enslaved, Ne Obliviscaris, and Persefone, Maudlin of the Well, Unexpect, as well as the obvious one - Opeth. I've fallen in love with the mix of soft, clean passages and harsh metal sections, and I was just wondering if you could point me in the direction of some really awesome ones. I don't mind if it's got more of a death or black slant, or even doom slant, as I love all of those genres.

Solefald. Can't recommend this band enough. Avant-Garde (close enough to progressive I suppose ) black metal with harsh and cleans mixed everywhere.

From their 2010 album "Norrøn Livskunst" (video plays the song twice)


From their 2008 album "Black For Death"


From their 2001 album "Pills Against The Ageless Ills"

Written by Guest on 16.06.2013 at 00:02

Solefald. Can't recommend this band enough. Avant-Garde (close enough to progressive I suppose ) black metal with harsh and cleans mixed everywhere.

From their 2010 album "Norrøn Livskunst" (video plays the song twice)


From their 2008 album "Black For Death"


From their 2001 album "Pills Against The Ageless Ills"

Nice recommendation there! I thoroughly enjoyed those songs and I shall be looking more into this band. Thanks!

I'd mainly recommend Ihsahn's solo albums. His later work (the last two albums) is magnificent.



There are other similar threads open but for black metal only... check if you can get something out these two:
http://www.metalstorm.net/forum/topic.php?topic_id=26073
http://www.metalstorm.net/forum/topic.php?topic_id=24809

I'd second Ihsahn. It was an acquired taste for me, but once acquired is one of my favorites. Of course, it doesn't get any more extreme or progressive than Necrophagist, or the mighty Obscura.

My brother isn't a metal fan, he's more into punk, but he like Solefald. Now I'm finally beginning to see what's so great about them.

I third Ihsahn.

Ihsahn, Arcturus, and Borknagar.

Pretty good chance you already know this band, but on the off-chance you don't: Negura Bunget - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-SCyXecLZg There aren't too many vocal passages that are "clean" exactly, but I think anyone who digs Enslaved is bound to like them.