{"id":7862,"date":"2025-06-20T06:15:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T04:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metalverseforum.com\/news\/11-bands-who-started-out-as-black-metal-but-arent-anymore"},"modified":"2025-06-20T06:15:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T04:15:48","slug":"11-bands-who-started-out-as-black-metal-but-arent-anymore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metalverseforum.com\/news\/11-bands-who-started-out-as-black-metal-but-arent-anymore","title":{"rendered":"11 BANDS WHO STARTED OUT AS BLACK METAL BUT AREN\u2019T ANYMORE"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>2. Enslaved<\/h2>\n<p>Enslaved, another band hailing from Norway, initially gained recognition for their Viking-themed black metal. Albums like <em>Vikingligr Veldi<\/em> and <em>Eld<\/em> showcased their black metal roots with epic, long-form compositions. However, by the late 90s, Enslaved began incorporating progressive rock and psychedelic elements, showcased in albums like <em>Isa<\/em> and <em>Vertebrae<\/em>. This evolution has made them a staple in the progressive metal scene.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Dimmu Borgir<\/h2>\n<p>Dimmu Borgir started as a straightforward black metal band, heavily influenced by the second wave of black metal. Their early work, such as <em>For All Tid<\/em> and <em>Stormbl\u00e5st<\/em>, was raw and atmospheric. As their career progressed, they began integrating symphonic elements and complex orchestrations, resulting in a more polished and grandiose sound. This shift is evident in albums like <em>Death Cult Armageddon<\/em> and <em>Abrahadabra<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Samael<\/h2>\n<p>Originating from Switzerland, Samael&#8217;s early work was characterized by its dark, black metal aesthetic. Their first album, <em>Worship Him<\/em>, is a raw black metal classic. However, Samael soon ventured into industrial metal with the release of <em>Passage<\/em>, incorporating electronic beats and synthesizers. This transition has defined their subsequent releases, making them pioneers in blending black metal with industrial sounds.<\/p>\n<h2>5. Borknagar<\/h2>\n<p>Borknagar began as a black metal band with a strong focus on the natural world and Norse mythology. Their self-titled debut was a quintessential black metal album. However, as the band matured, they began incorporating elements of progressive and folk music. Albums like <em>Empiricism<\/em> and <em>Winter Thrice<\/em> showcase their evolution into a more progressive and melodic sound, with clean vocals and intricate compositions.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Satyricon<\/h2>\n<p>Satyricon, renowned for their early black metal releases like <em>Dark Medieval Times<\/em> and <em>The Shadowthrone<\/em>, have significantly evolved their sound over the years. The band has gradually incorporated more rock-oriented elements, leading to a more accessible and mainstream sound. Albums like <em>Now, Diabolical<\/em> and <em>The Age of Nero<\/em> highlight this transformation, blending black metal with rock and roll influences.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Arcturus<\/h2>\n<p>Arcturus began as a black metal side project but quickly developed into a band known for its avant-garde and experimental approach. Their debut album, <em>Aspera Hiems Symfonia<\/em>, combined black metal with symphonic elements. Over time, Arcturus shifted towards a more theatrical and eclectic sound, incorporating avant-garde metal, progressive rock, and even elements of opera, as seen in albums like <em>The Sham Mirrors<\/em> and <em>Sideshow Symphonies<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Emperor<\/h2>\n<p>Emperor, one of the most iconic names in black metal, initially defined the genre with their groundbreaking releases like <em>In the Nightside Eclipse<\/em>. Known for their complex compositions and symphonic elements, Emperor gradually incorporated more progressive and diverse influences into their music. Their final studio album, <em>Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire &amp; Demise<\/em>, exemplifies this evolution, featuring intricate arrangements and a broader musical palette.<\/p>\n<h2>9. Ulcerate<\/h2>\n<p>Hailing from New Zealand, Ulcerate initially embraced a more death metal-influenced black metal sound. However, they soon began incorporating elements of technical death metal and post-metal into their music. Albums like <em>The Destroyers of All<\/em> and <em>Stare Into Death and Be Still<\/em> highlight this progression, showcasing their complex, atmospheric, and technically proficient sound that transcends traditional genre boundaries.<\/p>\n<h2>10. Alcest<\/h2>\n<p>Alcest began as a black metal project with strong shoegaze influences, spearheaded by French musician Neige. Their early work, such as <em>Le Secret<\/em>, was steeped in black metal aesthetics. However, Alcest soon became pioneers of the &#8220;blackgaze&#8221; genre, blending black metal with shoegaze and post-rock. Albums like <em>\u00c9cailles de Lune<\/em> and <em>Shelter<\/em> are celebrated for their ethereal soundscapes and emotional depth.<\/p>\n<h2>11. Agalloch<\/h2>\n<p>Agalloch, an American band, initially drew from black metal influences, with their debut album <em>Pale Folklore<\/em> reflecting this style. However, Agalloch&#8217;s music quickly evolved to incorporate elements of folk, doom, and post-rock. Their subsequent albums, such as <em>The Mantle<\/em> and <em>Ashes Against the Grain<\/em>, showcase their unique blend of atmospheric and melodic metal, earning them a dedicated following across various musical communities.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>The bands mentioned above exemplify the dynamic nature of music and artistic evolution. While they all started in the black metal genre, each has embarked on a unique journey, exploring new sounds and influences. This willingness to experiment and push boundaries has not only broadened their appeal but also enriched the musical landscape as a whole. As these artists continue to innovate, they remind us that music is a living, breathing art form, capable of endless transformation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2. Enslaved Enslaved, another band hailing from Norway, initially gained recognition for their Viking-themed black metal. Albums like Vikingligr Veldi and Eld showcased their black metal roots with epic, long-form compositions. However, by the late 90s, Enslaved began incorporating progressive rock and psychedelic elements, showcased in albums like Isa and Vertebrae. This evolution has made them a staple in the progressive metal scene. 3. Dimmu Borgir Dimmu Borgir started as a straightforward black metal band,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>11 BANDS WHO STARTED OUT AS BLACK METAL BUT AREN\u2019T ANYMORE<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"2. Enslaved Enslaved, another band hailing from Norway, initially gained recognition for their Viking-themed black metal. 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