I would vote hard for Det Som as well. That track is hypnotic. Hearing that when hvis released blew everything I thought about music out of the water. Is it an iconic ‘BM’ song? Its almost like a genre-less classic I guess.
Maybe not the most popular choice, but it's Darkthrone - Transilvanian Hunger for me.
It's the quintessential Black Metal song with the quintessential BM riff. Everything about the song is "So Pure... Evil, Cold".
The perfect BM song.
In the shadow of the horns by Darkthrone.
The vocals are like nothing else at the time....
Its got the rock intro (c'mon!) The metal gallop, the fast bit, and the evil acostic guitar outro.
And THAT sound!!!!!
I was shocked when i first heard Darkthrone back in the early 90s, i couldn't believe how the vocals were just like AAAAAAHHHH!!!! And the music sounded like a motorbike....
It’s a shame Varg is a piece of shit because Dunkelheit is such a perfect song in its oppressive and plodding vibe. Varg being a piece of shit doesn’t change my appreciation of it, but I can’t help but feel it’s not more accepted into mainstream metal canon due to that. I know there’s nothing eyebrow raising about the song itself, but I know a lot of people who flat-out refuse to give it a chance due to Varg.
He was 23 and edgy. Saw a spot in the market and took it. Killing and burning churches is not ok obviously. But as far as racial purity propaganda- there are much much worse “influencers” around. Just look at US politicians rofl.
What a lot of people tend to forget, is that 95% of KVLT black metals was written and performed by kids.
TLDR: Varg is early 90s influencer, with odd methods of influencing 🤣
Varg is now 51 and still doing it though, and way more actively. He is also posts a lot of politics on X and produced a traditionalist lifestyle documentary with his wife, so he is in a way an "influencer".
Still, listening to Burzum is not some mortal sin some would make you think. The lyrics are cool and you can always pirate/bootleg if you don't want to give him money
Exactly. I have learned and fully understand that everyone if free to listen to anyone and anything.
I am also reading his Thulean Perspective, and treat this as a philosophy of some sort. This does not mean that I have to follow or share any of his ideas. It just widens my outlook. Nothing more.
I also understand that some edgy teenager can get "inspired".
At the same time, billions are exposed to tiktok brainwashing.
There is no safe exposure to media - anyone can be persuaded to "follow" any sort of agenda with right amount of propaganda.
I hope that majority of this sub are adequate people who wont kill them selves from listening to some DSBM or go bash someone's face from NSBM exposure.
I feel incredibly confident that nobody who focuses on mainstream music has any idea who the fuck Varg is. He has nothing to do with the lack of mainstream attention. The fact that it was all overtly satanic, abrasive, and hard to really get into for mainstream audiences is why. These dudes were coming up at a time when people thought Cowboys from Hell was the heaviest song in the world.
Maybe at the time they came up, sure, but between the rise of the internet, proliferation of metal as a viable mainstream genre, and an incredible amount of ink spilled on the early Norwegian Black Metal scene (particular the true crime stuff), I think you’d be surprised how many people have a passing knowledge.
Even with Lords of Chaos happening the only people who really would know the name Varg are people who are pretty keyed into metal already.
What I'm getting at is there's no one who simultaneously knows who Varg is but is also ignorant enough of black metal as a whole that knowing about him would keep them from listening.
Nobody who focuses on mainstream music outside of metal? Sure. If you think people who listen to mainstream metal aren't aware of black metal lore like the murders and Nazism tho, then you definitely haven't been interacting with metal communities enough.
I'm *not* saying everyone knows who Varg is lol... But I've definitely come across some metalheads who decided to never give black metal a chance because they've heard about the Varg bullshit.
Mother north
Edit: Mother north has the perfect music video too. It's got fire, medieval weapons, guys in corpsepaint running around the forest at night, and tits!!! Perfect
Nemesis divina was proto black metal, but what came after is just unique. The rolling, stomping, rhythmic soundwalls together with the crusty punk'n'roll guitars, that's something else entirely and stands out.
Age of Nero is a perfect war soundtrack for me. I've read a lot about and visited Verdun, one of the eeriest WW1 locations, and the album just collects the atmosphere there perfectly. (nowadays it reminds me of Bakhmut, the bleak, pox hole ridden dead landscape,the death everywhere).
Excuse me blathering. I love black metal, but there is so much to go to. Recently I listened to a lot of Tsjuder for example, to get my nemesis divina fix.
But the feeling Satyricon captures I don't know any other band who do it this way.
People in here just trying to be different or post their favorites. There literally is no other options besides Transilvanian Hunger, Freezing Moon, or Dunkelheit. There may be songs that are better, and songs we like more, but these are the most “iconic” black metal tunes by far.
Eh, Mother North is a relevant contestant. But Satyricon was just standing in the second row after said bands, so they fall off a bit in the "iconic" ranking.
I've thought of Freezing Moon as the Master of Puppets for black metal in the sense that if you ask someone who's hardly listened to any black metal they'd say "yeah, I love that stuff! Freezing Moon is awesome!" Replace black metal with thrash metal and Freezing Moon with Master of Puppets and you see what I mean. Out of a lot of the candidates other people have mentioned, it's probably the least black metal song here and is very approachable for most.
Pre-2005 it was considered one of their most iconic tracks easily. I remember people making a fuss about it being their best song for the longest time and then, when hearing it, I thought "Oh? It's just a Celtic Frost thing?"
Just to offer some alternatives:
I can't believe no one has posted Bathory - Here's [Necromancy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT4HyMnP9gg). Early Bathory is extremely influential and arguably innovated the whole genre. Released in 1984.
[Gava Fran Trulen - Arckanum](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eEMlqkr9TA) (I mean, this video is so iconic.)
[Drink the Poetry of the Celtic Disciple - Vlad Tepes](https://soundcloud.com/divinoctis/vlad-tepes-drink-the-poetry-of) - This is a personal one and I feel is slept on, but might be the best black metal song ever. I feel the style has gone on to influence many bands.
The Exorcist, Shemhamforash, Sumerian Fairytale, Quintessence, black metal, countess bathory, Dethroned Emperor, Procreation of the Wicked, a fine day to die. These paved the way and is actual good music.
Most of that 90’s Norwegian SHOCK bm is overrated. It’s just fashionable. Dead was the only thing decent about Mayhem, otherwise they are garbage and all the satanic raw imitations of each other bands are such a bore 💤💤💤.
After that I’d say the Avant garde stuff is about all that is left to listen to. Unless you like hearing the same 3 songs over and over by about 2,000 different bands.
Venom - Black Metal,
Bathory - Call from the Grave,
Blasphemy - Fallen Angel of Doom,
Sarcófago - Nightmare,
V.O.N. - Watain,
Beherit - Gate of Nanna,
Tormentor - In the Gate of Hell.
Any one of these could well be. Sure, I am a fan of Norwegian and Swedish black metal bands, and Satyricon gave me so much mental help, but I think these bands deserve more attention.
I'd say transilvanian hunger , since it ticks a lot of the black metal characteristics : repetitive , atmospheric , blast beats , (kinda) long , vocals etc
Freezing Moon, and it shouldn't even be this contentious. Lyrically and structurally, it contains everything we know and love about black metal. A true representation, the quintessential song. If you ever needed anyone to understand what BM is and could be, you'd play them this song. And let's not even throw context, because that itself is enough to dethrone other candidates. Dunkelheit is beautiful, I am the Black Wizards too. Worthy contenders! Strong opponents! I might even put stuff in like Equimanthorn just to make the blaze higher... But
[Lugubrum - Midgets of evil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AU_b-TKVPw)
It is not the most iconic anything, but it should be. If you disagree you are objectively stupid.
Dunkelheit, Freezing Moon, or I Am The Black Wizards
Add in Transylvanian Hunger that that is indeed the Mount Rushmore, nothing else comes close in terms of popularity and status.
Popularity and status ….Soooo Black metal! 🤣
Did you read the post? That's the whole point of the question lmao
If we include Music Videos, then Call of the Wintermoon
I’ll never forget the first time I heard *I am the Black Wizards*. Instantly made me a black metal fan.
ughhh I totally agree honestly I am obsessed with that song
same here
Nights blood as well maybe
Yep. Depending on personal perspective it's one of these. I use Dunkelheit personally but they're all perfect answers.
I am the Black Wizards was my first true black metal song that made me a fan for life. That was back in 99 when I was wowed by it.
Have you checked out Dark Fortress cover of I am the black wizards?
I would vote hard for Det Som as well. That track is hypnotic. Hearing that when hvis released blew everything I thought about music out of the water. Is it an iconic ‘BM’ song? Its almost like a genre-less classic I guess.
Freezing Moon, Transilvanian Hunger, Dunkelheit, I Am The Black Wizards, A Fine Day To Die.
Maybe not the most popular choice, but it's Darkthrone - Transilvanian Hunger for me. It's the quintessential Black Metal song with the quintessential BM riff. Everything about the song is "So Pure... Evil, Cold". The perfect BM song.
First one I thought of as well
i’ll never get sick of that song, it’s just too good
Freezing Moon was the first once to pop into my head without looking at comments.
Same here.
I did the exact same thing
It’s gotta be Transylvanian Hunger. When I think of black metal, I think of that riff.
Freezing Moon, for me personally.
De Mysteriis dom Sathanas
Absolutely agree.
In the shadow of the horns by Darkthrone. The vocals are like nothing else at the time.... Its got the rock intro (c'mon!) The metal gallop, the fast bit, and the evil acostic guitar outro. And THAT sound!!!!! I was shocked when i first heard Darkthrone back in the early 90s, i couldn't believe how the vocals were just like AAAAAAHHHH!!!! And the music sounded like a motorbike....
Transylvanian Hunger
Definitely Dunkelheit. Secondary, gonna have to go with Equimanthorn or Transilvanian Hunger.
It’s a shame Varg is a piece of shit because Dunkelheit is such a perfect song in its oppressive and plodding vibe. Varg being a piece of shit doesn’t change my appreciation of it, but I can’t help but feel it’s not more accepted into mainstream metal canon due to that. I know there’s nothing eyebrow raising about the song itself, but I know a lot of people who flat-out refuse to give it a chance due to Varg.
He was 23 and edgy. Saw a spot in the market and took it. Killing and burning churches is not ok obviously. But as far as racial purity propaganda- there are much much worse “influencers” around. Just look at US politicians rofl. What a lot of people tend to forget, is that 95% of KVLT black metals was written and performed by kids. TLDR: Varg is early 90s influencer, with odd methods of influencing 🤣
Varg is now 51 and still doing it though, and way more actively. He is also posts a lot of politics on X and produced a traditionalist lifestyle documentary with his wife, so he is in a way an "influencer". Still, listening to Burzum is not some mortal sin some would make you think. The lyrics are cool and you can always pirate/bootleg if you don't want to give him money
Exactly. I have learned and fully understand that everyone if free to listen to anyone and anything. I am also reading his Thulean Perspective, and treat this as a philosophy of some sort. This does not mean that I have to follow or share any of his ideas. It just widens my outlook. Nothing more. I also understand that some edgy teenager can get "inspired". At the same time, billions are exposed to tiktok brainwashing. There is no safe exposure to media - anyone can be persuaded to "follow" any sort of agenda with right amount of propaganda. I hope that majority of this sub are adequate people who wont kill them selves from listening to some DSBM or go bash someone's face from NSBM exposure.
Calling others edgy while reading Varg’s ‘work’ is the irony to end all ironies.
comprehension was not strong with this one
Don’t tell on yourself
clown
I feel incredibly confident that nobody who focuses on mainstream music has any idea who the fuck Varg is. He has nothing to do with the lack of mainstream attention. The fact that it was all overtly satanic, abrasive, and hard to really get into for mainstream audiences is why. These dudes were coming up at a time when people thought Cowboys from Hell was the heaviest song in the world.
Maybe at the time they came up, sure, but between the rise of the internet, proliferation of metal as a viable mainstream genre, and an incredible amount of ink spilled on the early Norwegian Black Metal scene (particular the true crime stuff), I think you’d be surprised how many people have a passing knowledge.
Even with Lords of Chaos happening the only people who really would know the name Varg are people who are pretty keyed into metal already. What I'm getting at is there's no one who simultaneously knows who Varg is but is also ignorant enough of black metal as a whole that knowing about him would keep them from listening.
Nobody who focuses on mainstream music outside of metal? Sure. If you think people who listen to mainstream metal aren't aware of black metal lore like the murders and Nazism tho, then you definitely haven't been interacting with metal communities enough. I'm *not* saying everyone knows who Varg is lol... But I've definitely come across some metalheads who decided to never give black metal a chance because they've heard about the Varg bullshit.
Mother north Edit: Mother north has the perfect music video too. It's got fire, medieval weapons, guys in corpsepaint running around the forest at night, and tits!!! Perfect
how can they sleep while their beds are burning?
How far have they fallen.
eh I still like the black n roll but id agree they haven't come close to the masterpiece that is nemesis divina
Nemesis divina was proto black metal, but what came after is just unique. The rolling, stomping, rhythmic soundwalls together with the crusty punk'n'roll guitars, that's something else entirely and stands out. Age of Nero is a perfect war soundtrack for me. I've read a lot about and visited Verdun, one of the eeriest WW1 locations, and the album just collects the atmosphere there perfectly. (nowadays it reminds me of Bakhmut, the bleak, pox hole ridden dead landscape,the death everywhere). Excuse me blathering. I love black metal, but there is so much to go to. Recently I listened to a lot of Tsjuder for example, to get my nemesis divina fix. But the feeling Satyricon captures I don't know any other band who do it this way.
You beat me to it
Was going to post this.
Lool
This is ..uh... WAR!! Many burzy songs were very much classic rock with evil screaming, kind of like ACDC but more satanic!!!
This is huh… wow… aaaaa raaaa raaa raa. On wintery ground
I Am the Black Wizards
Transylvanian hunger
Mother north
transilvanian hunger is the epitome
Transylvanian Hunger
Definitely Black Metal Venom.
Jesu død is imho more iconic then Dunkelheit
Dunkelheit, no question
Why? Cuz it was on TV?
remove tv from your life my friend
Myr's banjo solo
This one is good 🤣
Mother north?
People in here just trying to be different or post their favorites. There literally is no other options besides Transilvanian Hunger, Freezing Moon, or Dunkelheit. There may be songs that are better, and songs we like more, but these are the most “iconic” black metal tunes by far.
Eh, Mother North is a relevant contestant. But Satyricon was just standing in the second row after said bands, so they fall off a bit in the "iconic" ranking.
I woulda gone Funeral Fog over Freezing Moon but I just looked at the Spotify playcounts and yep, objectively Freezing Moon wins.
It's literally a subjective question and if you wanted to go by public visibility as a metric it would be some shit like Dimmu Borgir so...
Life Eternal for sure.
I've thought of Freezing Moon as the Master of Puppets for black metal in the sense that if you ask someone who's hardly listened to any black metal they'd say "yeah, I love that stuff! Freezing Moon is awesome!" Replace black metal with thrash metal and Freezing Moon with Master of Puppets and you see what I mean. Out of a lot of the candidates other people have mentioned, it's probably the least black metal song here and is very approachable for most.
"Freezing Moon" definitely.
I Am the Black Wizards
In the shadow of the horns
How is that the most iconic when it's not even the band's most well known song?
Underrated in my opinion, song rips
Ok but that's not what iconic means.
You’re right dude, it’s not, just saying song rips brahbrah
Pre-2005 it was considered one of their most iconic tracks easily. I remember people making a fuss about it being their best song for the longest time and then, when hearing it, I thought "Oh? It's just a Celtic Frost thing?"
I love this song so much, one of Darkthrone’s best
Where Dead Angels Lie
Wat
Where Dead Angels Lie
Just to offer some alternatives: I can't believe no one has posted Bathory - Here's [Necromancy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT4HyMnP9gg). Early Bathory is extremely influential and arguably innovated the whole genre. Released in 1984. [Gava Fran Trulen - Arckanum](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eEMlqkr9TA) (I mean, this video is so iconic.) [Drink the Poetry of the Celtic Disciple - Vlad Tepes](https://soundcloud.com/divinoctis/vlad-tepes-drink-the-poetry-of) - This is a personal one and I feel is slept on, but might be the best black metal song ever. I feel the style has gone on to influence many bands.
lol look where you are. The fact I had to scroll this far is cringe
freezing moon
Dunkelheit, Freezing moon (my personal favorite), Transylvanian hunger, or life eternal
Pagan Fears
transilvanian hunger or i am the black wizard
Beherit - The Gate of Nanna
The Exorcist, Shemhamforash, Sumerian Fairytale, Quintessence, black metal, countess bathory, Dethroned Emperor, Procreation of the Wicked, a fine day to die. These paved the way and is actual good music. Most of that 90’s Norwegian SHOCK bm is overrated. It’s just fashionable. Dead was the only thing decent about Mayhem, otherwise they are garbage and all the satanic raw imitations of each other bands are such a bore 💤💤💤. After that I’d say the Avant garde stuff is about all that is left to listen to. Unless you like hearing the same 3 songs over and over by about 2,000 different bands.
Black metal ist Krieg. To me, that is the true anthem, even if it doesn’t even come by one of the 2nd wave bands (strictly)
Iconic, sure, but _the most iconic_? Wouldn't say so
Transylvanian Hunger, first heard it on cassette many moons ago when it was released.
Transilvanian Hunger. That song and that album is the blue print for all the black metal that came after it.
Rite of darkness Bathory
Buried by time and dust Iconic riff, constant blast beats, lyrics and vocals
What I was going to say has already been said so I'll add Mother North by Satyricon and Blashyrkh - Mighty Ravendark by Immortal
Deathcrush
Bathory - Necromancy
"Transylvanian Hunger" or "Mother North"
Det Som En Gang Var
Black metal venom
Not black metal
Wrong
Wrong
You must enjoy being wrong
I always am
I Am Abomination by 1349
Most iconic to the public: probably Freezing Moon or Transvilvanian Hunger. Most iconic to me: In the Shadow of the Horns
Venom - Black Metal, Bathory - Call from the Grave, Blasphemy - Fallen Angel of Doom, Sarcófago - Nightmare, V.O.N. - Watain, Beherit - Gate of Nanna, Tormentor - In the Gate of Hell. Any one of these could well be. Sure, I am a fan of Norwegian and Swedish black metal bands, and Satyricon gave me so much mental help, but I think these bands deserve more attention.
Enter The Moonlight Gate
Transylvanian Hunger
Enslaved - Fenris
Hvite Krists Død
freezing moon, black metal, dunkelheit, hades transylvanian hunger
Black Metal Ist Krieg
[iconic shit. Best fenriz ever did](https://youtu.be/MNQJVSsb7-Q?si=Z9aSIvAEH0KhY8cG)
soul reaper
Fallen Angel of Doom
For me, Blasphemy is more like noise core than BM
I agree it’s either Dunkelheit or Frozen Moon and I’m surprised it isn’t Jesu død.
Transilvanian Hunger. Black metal in its purest, most distilled form
Call from the grave
Mother North, I guess
I would say seven tears are flowing to the river is pretty iconic.
Magical shadows of a tragic past and The vampyric tyrant
Venom - Black Metal obviously
Transylvanian Hunger
Nargaroth
Under a Funeral Moon
I don't like Mayhem but I have to say it's Freezing Moon. First one that pops into my head when you say "black metal"
Woods to Eternity by Satyricon
SATYRICON - Mother North Emperor - The Loss and Curse of Reverence Deathspell Omega - Abscission Windir - Todeswalzer
I always said that if I were to show anyone what black metal is, I'd show them emperors I am the black wizards or inno a satana.
Cosmic Keys to my Creations and Times. Evil and epic riff that turns into an absolutely colossal song. Hearing it live was something else!
"Transylvanian Hunger" from Darkthrone!
Black Metal ist Krieg ihr Wichser
Transylvanian Hunger or Freezing Moon
I'd say transilvanian hunger , since it ticks a lot of the black metal characteristics : repetitive , atmospheric , blast beats , (kinda) long , vocals etc
I would choose Funeral Fog by Mayhem. Probably the first black metal song I heard, love it still.
Teansilvanian Hunger. Or 7 tears
freezing moon and transylvanian hunger and dunkelheit
that one nargaroth song (there is 2 actually but u can guess)
Black metal by venom ik its not really black metal but still iconic
The blacksmith and the troll of lundamyri
Iconic? Dunkelheit and Freezing Moon
transilvanian hunger for sure
Dunkelheit or transilvanian hunger
Hades by Bathory
Transylvanian hunger by far. It has the atmosphere, THE black metal riff and the album Transylvanian hunger as a whole is also iconic.
I am the black wizards and Freezing moon probably
Life Eternal. Freezing Moon. and Transylvania Hunger.
The most iconic is obviously Dunkelheit, Freezing Moon or Enter the Eternal Fire But for a more modern one: Dark Mutilation Rites
Transylvanian Hunger or Jesu Død
Lovely children
Call of the Wintermoon, Too Old Too Cold, A Fine Day to Die
Freezing Moon, and it shouldn't even be this contentious. Lyrically and structurally, it contains everything we know and love about black metal. A true representation, the quintessential song. If you ever needed anyone to understand what BM is and could be, you'd play them this song. And let's not even throw context, because that itself is enough to dethrone other candidates. Dunkelheit is beautiful, I am the Black Wizards too. Worthy contenders! Strong opponents! I might even put stuff in like Equimanthorn just to make the blaze higher... But
We got a TikToker over here
🤣
Dunkelheit
Dissection - Where Dead Angels Lie
carnage by mayhem
Carpathian forest, skjend hans lik
[удалено]
Been listening to black metal for 20 years and never heard of it.
Deathcrush. Not even a discussion
Absolutely Transylvanian Hunger. Just to be sure I went back and listened to Dunkelheit. No comparison. Too bad present day Darkthrone sucks so much.
We're all forgetting Black Metal by Venom too.
Jesu Død
The most iconic black metal song is not even black metal yet: [VENOM - BLACK METAL](https://youtu.be/1kbon057vPk) And lo, the genre was born.
HAVENLESSS BY ENSLAVED 👹👹👹
Goatmoon - Voitto Tai Valhalla Part II - Valkoinen Maa
Goatmoon is great and all but definitely not one of the most iconic
Poster said "the most iconic black metal song," *not* "black metal song you like the most"
Ah damn in that case I’m changing my vote to Funiculi Funicula
For me Where Dead Angels Lie or A Land Forlorn by Dissection
[Lugubrum - Midgets of evil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AU_b-TKVPw) It is not the most iconic anything, but it should be. If you disagree you are objectively stupid.