This is a list of black metal (and blackened metal) albums based on their artwork (in reverse alphabetical order). It includes iconic cover art from classic albums as well as fascinating work from more recent releases.
There is a saying that "you should not judge a book by its cover", which is of course also true in the case of music albums. However, the artwork can complement the production and give a visual introduction to the musical theme and atmosphere. More than for any other kind of music, this may be true for metal.

(Updated 02.10.2023)

1.Zeal & Ardor - Zeal & Ardor

2.Yoth Iria - As The Flame Withers

3.Watain - Lawless Darkness

4.Vreid - Lifehunger

5.Venom - Black Metal

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My top albums from 2015, in list are those I have heard more then 3 times.
First 3 are in order, 4-11 also in some order as I like. rest no, just add them , because those what I have played and remember most from 2015
O yes what sucked. Virgin Steele, Iron maiden, WASP, Dis Pater listed in last 4, those last 4 places sucked big time , don't know what more, hmmm VS I think

1.Draconian - Sovran

2.Nightwish - Endless Forms Most Beautiful

3.Moonspell - Extinct

4.My Dying Bride - Feel The Misery

5.Ereb Altor - Nattramn

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2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2010

1.Finsterforst - Mach Dich Frei

2.A Secret Revealed - The Bleakness

3.Wolfheart - Shadow World

4.My Sleeping Karma - Moksha

5.Ereb Altor - Nattramn

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1.Sulphur Aeon - Gateway To The Antisphere

2.

3.Thy Art Is Murder - Holy War

4.George Kollias - Invictus

5.

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A list of my favorite 2015 albums. Also with my favorite tracks.

1.A Forest Of Stars - Beware The Sword You Cannot See

2.Shape Of Despair - Monotony Fields

3.Cattle Decapitation - The Anthropocene Extinction

4.Gloryhammer - Space 1992: Rise Of The Chaos Wizards

5.Misþyrming - Söngvar Elds Og Óreiðu

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1.Steve Von Till - A Life Unto Itself

2.Lana Del Rey - Honeymoon

3.Sunn O))) - Kannon

4.Avatarium - The Girl With The Raven Mask

5.Mgła - Exercises In Futility

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1.Arcturus - Arcturian

2.Corpo-Mente - Corpo-Mente

3.A Forest Of Stars - Beware The Sword You Cannot See

4.Baldrs Draumar - Aldgillissoan

5.Ragnaröek - Dornig

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1.Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase.

2.Arcturus - Arcturian

3.Symphony X - Underworld

4.Leprous - The Congregation

5.Soilwork - The Ride Majestic

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All the albums I've listened to in 2015, from favorite to least favorite, and a small summary.

1.Shape Of Despair - Monotony Fields

2.Swallow The Sun - Songs From The North I, II & III

3.Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase.

4.Leviathan - Scar Sighted

5.Ahab - The Boats Of The Glen Carrig

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Cos by this point it's almost mandatory. I've made a pretty slow start to the year but hopefully I'll start catching up soon enough.

1.A Forest Of Stars - Beware The Sword You Cannot See

2.Maladie - ...Still...

3.Dekadent - Veritas

4.Sylosis - Dormant Heart

5.Marriages - Salome

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Before to rate, I listen the albums at least four or five times (sometimes more).

1.Amorphis - Under The Red Cloud

2.Melechesh - Enki

3.Lindemann - Skills In Pills

4.Paradise Lost - The Plague Within

5.Cradle Of Filth - Hammer Of The Witches

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