The Age Old Debate: Black Metal vs Death Metal

Time Signature wrote: I prefer glam metal and nu metal, the only true types of metal!

I voted for death metal, because the only kind of black metal I tend to like is symphonic black metal, where with death metal I like symphonic, prog, tech and mdm a great deal.

TheHeavyMetalCat wrote: Some interesting comments so far, particularly from black metal's detractors. Honestly it sounds like a couple of you there are judging the entire genre based on the lo-fi necro types. That's your prerogative I guess, but it annoys the shit out of me. I could just as easily say I fucking hate death metal because of deathcore and then the shoe would be on the other foot. I don't hate death metal at all for the record, just making a point. I imagine you guys would be just as pissed at the notion of all death metal being written off because of deathcore. Here's another point: I made a simple poll. I didn't open an arena for a flame war.

^ i agree with black metal being more diverse and generally more adventurous. which band crosses with bluegrass? always interested in strange new hybrids

I love Panopticon's newest. No bluegrass there though. I'll have to listen to the older stuff soon.

I didn't elaborate on my choice before as I was in a hurry but I tend to prefer black metal for some the same reasons mentioned by others. I find that black metal serves as a great template to do almost anything with. I tend to prefer atmospheric/post black styles most of all, but also symphonic, melodic and traditional black metal bands (yes, I like Darkthrone, sue me). I don't think that all black metal is inherently atmospheric though. Some of it can be just as agressive as death metal.

I don't get the whole corpsepaint thing though, I must admit. I don't understand why newer bands do it even. I mean a lot of the early big names actually stopped using it, including Darkthrone, Emperor and even Mayhem. That's probably why I tend to associate a black metal band dropping the corpsepaint as them getting serious. Immortal are a favourite of mine, but they've always looked bloody silly!

I prefer Death by a wiiiide margin. Most Black I've heard is utter rubbish and most big fans of Black I've met are unpleasant arrogant bullies. 

I really like Carprathian Forest, Melechesch and Zyklon, but those last two are more than just pure Black. 

I don't mind a bit of Emperor now and again, and Immortal have some music I dig when friends put it on, especially Sons Of Northern Darkness... but as a whole, I consider Black Metal the hands down worst subgenre of Metal. 

Glam, Nu, Core, all the things Black fans may make fun of are infinitely better than Black to me, now and always. 

I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about how arrogant, entitled and unrealistic Black Metal fans can be, sometimes its such a troll farm, where people just get off on being ridiculous and hostile. 

Kingcrimsonprog wrote: I prefer Death by a wiiiide margin. Most Black I've heard is utter rubbish and most big fans of Black I've met are unpleasant arrogant bullies.  I really like Carprathian Forest, Melechesch and Zyklon, but those last two are more than just pure Black.  I don't mind a bit of Emperor now and again, and Immortal have some music I dig when friends put it on, especially Sons Of Northern Darkness... but as a whole, I consider Black Metal the hands down worst subgenre of Metal.  Glam, Nu, Core, all the things Black fans may make fun of are infinitely better than Black to me, now and always.  I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about how arrogant, entitled and unrealistic Black Metal fans can be, sometimes its such a troll farm, where people just get off on being ridiculous and hostile.

Sounds like your bigger problem is with internet idiots. I have to wonder what black metal bands you've tried though. Consider looking through some of the examples adg posted in this thread. He covers a good range of BM types. You liking Carpathian Forest suggests you're not as totally closed to black metal as you may think. What I've heard from then is fairly standard as the genre goes.

Zyklon are more death metal though aren't they?

adg211288 wrote: I hear you about fans, but I think every genre has a few of those. I must admit though, I once received an online death threat from a black metal fan for writing a less than positive review of Mayhem's debut (an opinion I still stand by).

Unfortuntely I can well imagine this happening.


Edited by TheHeavyMetalCat - 11 Mar 2016 at 2:47pm

TheHeavyMetalCat wrote: adg211288 wrote: I hear you about fans, but I think every genre has a few of those. I must admit though, I once received an online death threat from a black metal fan for writing a less than positive review of Mayhem's debut (an opinion I still stand by). Unfortuntely I can well imagine this happening.

Edited by adg211288 - 11 Mar 2016 at 3:09pm

Death metal. Sorry Nicole.