Lancashire Loud's Top 10 Black Metal Tracks

Take a look below to see the team’s top tracks, in no particular order, or click here to go to the official Lancashire Loud Black Spotify playlist. 

Bathory - “A Fine Day to Die”

Bathory’s “A Fine Day to Die” is from the band’s 1988 album, Blood Fire Death. It is a huge record in the band’s catalogue, sitting between the raw, influential black metal sound of their earlier work and the Viking metal direction they would later explore on albums such as Hammerheart.

Frontman Quorthon was one of black metal’s most important figures, helping to shape the genre’s harsher sound and imagery during the 1980s. “A Fine Day to Die” is not the fastest song on the album, but its echoing vocals and dramatic atmosphere make it feel absolutely huge.

It is a prime example of how Bathory helped take extreme metal into more epic territory.

Emperor - “I Am the Black Wizards”

“I Am the Black Wizards” is from Emperor’s 1994 debut album, In the Nightside Eclipse. The Norwegian band quickly became one of the defining names of the second wave of black metal, combining raw guitar work with grand arrangements and a more theatrical approach.

In the Nightside Eclipse was recorded during a turbulent period for the Norwegian black metal movement, but its influence was enormous. The album showed that black metal could be ambitious and atmospheric without dialling back its intensity.

It is cold and dramatic, but the scale is undeniably impressive. It was a tough call to include it over “Ye Entrancemperium” from Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, but only one could make the list.

Blackbraid - “God of Black Blood”

“God of Black Blood” is from Blackbraid’s 2025 album, Blackbraid III. The project draws inspiration from nature and spirituality, but this track in particular helps to set an eerie atmosphere while pushing forward with relentless force.

It’s a strong example of how black metal isn’t confined to Norway, and how inspiration for it can be taken from different cultures, without compromising the raw power of the genre.

Rotting Christ - “Demonon Vrosis”

“Demonon Vrosis” comes from Rotting Christ’s 2010 album, Aealo. The Greek band formed in the late 1980s and is one of the longest-running and most influential names in black metal. Although their sound has changed considerably over the years, they are widely considered pioneers of the Hellenic black metal scene.

Aealo draws heavily from Greek history and mythology, and “Demonon Vrosis” shows just how broad black metal can be.

Satyricon - “Mother North”

“Mother North” is from Satyricon’s 1996 album, Nemesis Divina. It is one of the most recognisable songs in the band’s catalogue and helped establish them as one of black metal’s biggest names.

Led by Satyr and Frost, the band brought a more polished and commanding approach to black metal without losing its dark edge. Nemesis Divina arrived during an important period for the genre, as bands began to expand beyond its raw early sound.

Darkthrone - “Transilvanian Hunger”

Darkthrone’s “Transilvanian Hunger” is the title track from their 1994 album and one of the most influential black metal songs ever created.

The Norwegian band began as a death metal act but pivoted to black metal with 1992’s A Blaze in the Northern Sky. By the time Transilvanian Hunger arrived, they had adopted a raw production style that became integral to the second wave of black metal.

Mayhem - “Freezing Moon”

“Freezing Moon” is one of the best-known songs from Mayhem’s 1994 album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. The album is often discussed because of the tragic and controversial events surrounding it, but it remains one of the genre’s most important releases.

Mayhem formed in Oslo in 1984 and played a huge part in shaping the visual identity of Norwegian black metal. “Freezing Moon” appears in several forms across the band’s catalogue, but we have included the De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas version in this playlist.

Attila Csihar’s theatrical vocals are unsettling, making this one of the most enduring tracks in black metal history.

Behemoth - “O Father O Satan O Sun!”

“O Father O Satan O Sun!” closes Behemoth’s 2014 album, The Satanist. The Polish band had already broken through with their blackened death metal sound, but The Satanist is widely regarded as one of their strongest albums.

The record was released after Nergal’s recovery from leukaemia, which gave it more personal weight. Rather than focusing purely on aggression and speed, it uses atmosphere and huge arrangements to create a slow build with a cinematic finish.

Dissection - “Maha-Kali”

“Maha-Kali” is from Dissection’s 2006 album, Reinkaos. It was the band’s third and final album, released almost a decade after Storm of the Light’s Bane.

Choosing “Maha-Kali” over a track from Storm of the Light’s Bane may be a controversial choice, but we felt its memorable melody and intricate guitar work showed a more polished version of Dissection. 

Non Est Deus - “The Last Act”

“The Last Act” closes Non Est Deus’ 2023 album, Legacy. It is an interesting record because it imagines biblical stories without divine intervention: Noah’s Ark sinks, Jonah is not saved, and miracles fail.

Tracks like this show how black metal continues to evolve while retaining the intensity the genre is known for.

Non Est Deus is a project led by Noise, the founder of Kanonenfieber. He also runs the atmospheric and depressive black metal project Leipa.

Concluding: Lancashire Loud’s Top 10 Black Metal Tracks

These tracks show how many different paths black metal has taken since its early beginnings. Bathory laid the foundation, while Darkthrone, Mayhem, and Emperor became central to the identity of Norway’s second wave.

Rotting Christ introduced Greek mythology and ritualistic elements, while Satyricon added a distinctive edge. Behemoth pushed blackened metal onto bigger stages. Dissection and Non Est Deus show how black metal has evolved through new influences, melody, and sound.

Black metal might be associated with corpse paint and raw production, but this playlist shows there is far more to the genre than that. At its core, it is built on intensity and atmosphere, which is why it is still evolving today.

Gorgoroth, Dark Funeral, Watain, Immortal, Dimmu Borgir, and Gaerea were all in the running, but there is only so much room in a top 10.