Black metal
Black metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music.
Initially a synonym for "Satanic metal", black metal has often sparked controversy due to actions and ideologies claimed to be associated with the genre.
Many artists have been stated to express anti-Christian, misanthropic, and/or less politically correct views.
Paganism is another stated influence.
There is a stated National Socialist movement within black metal, although it has been shunned by many prominent artists. See National Socialist Black Metal.
The "first wave" included bands such as Venom, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, Hellhammer and Celtic Frost. A "second wave" arose in the early 1990s, spearheaded by Norwegian bands such as Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum, Immortal, Emperor, Satyricon and Gorgoroth. The early Norwegian black metal scene developed the style of their forebears into a distinct genre. Norwegian-inspired black metal scenes emerged throughout Europe and North America, although some other scenes developed their own styles independently. Some prominent Swedish bands spawned during this second wave, such as Marduk, Nifelheim and Dark Funeral.
