Top 10 Black Metal Albums of All Time

From Norway’s frozen forests to underground legends, these are the Top 10 Black Metal Albums Ever.

01. Mayhem – De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994)

“De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is the debut studio album by Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. Songwriting began in 1987 but due to the suicide of vocalist Per “Dead” Ohlin and the murder of guitarist Øystein “Euronymous” Aarseth the album release was delayed.

The title “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is a broken Latin phrase often interpreted as “The Mysteries of Lord Satan”. More accurately, it can mean “Lord Satan’s Mysteries” or “Secret Rites” with Sathanas being a medieval spelling of Satanas.

02. Darkthrone – A Blaze in the Northern Sky (1992)

“A Blaze in the Northern Sky” is the second studio album by the Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone. Features the band first official black metal recordings and is regarded as a classic within the genre. It was included in the National Library of Norway permanent exhibition due to its significance to Norwegian culture and its role as a foundational work in Norwegian black metal.

The album opens with “Kathaarian Life Code” and includes the iconic “In the Shadow of the Horns” while tracks like “Where Cold Winds Blow” and “The Pagan Winter” capture the raw and cold essence of early Norwegian black metal.

03. Emperor – In the Nightside Eclipse (1994)

“In the Nightside Eclipse” is the debut studio album by Norwegian black metal band Emperor. Considered a landmark in the black metal scene, the album has been ranked by critics as one of the most influential albums of the genre. “In the Nightside Eclipse” has often been referred to as a pioneering influence in symphonic black metal.

The album features epic tracks like “Into the Infinity of Thoughts” and “Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times” while “I Am the Black Wizards” and “Inno a Satana” stand out as defining anthems of symphonic black metal.

04. Burzum – Hvis Lyset Tar Oss (1994)

“Hvis lyset tar oss” (Norwegian for “If the Light Takes Us”) is the third studio album by Norwegian black metal solo project Burzum. Vikernes dedicated the album to Fenriz of fellow Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone and Demonaz from Norwegian black metal band Immortal.

The album is dominated by long, atmospheric tracks such as “Det Som En Gang Var” and “Inn i Slottet fra Droemmen” with the haunting “Tomhet” closing as an ambient reflection of Burzum minimalist black metal style.

05. Immortal – At the Heart of Winter (1999)

“At the Heart of Winter” is the fifth studio album by Norwegian black metal band Immortal. The album marks a shift in Immortal’s musical sound, towards a black metal and thrash metal fusion.

The album features powerful tracks like “Withstand the Fall of Time” and “Tragedies Blows at Horizon”. While the title track “At the Heart of Winter” and “Solarfall” shows Immortal epic blend of black and thrash metal.

06. Bathory – Under the Sign of the Black Mark (1987)

“Under the Sign of the Black Mark” is the third studio album by Swedish extreme metal band Bathory. It was a key album in the development of the black metal genre and greatly influenced the Norwegian black metal scene. In 2003, “Under the Sign of the Black Mark” was named one of “The Best 25 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time”.

“Woman of Dark Desires” pays tribute to Elizabeth Báthory, “Enter the Eternal Fire” marks the band first epic about a pact with the Devil. “Equimanthorn” references Hell and Norse mythology, including Odin steed Sleipnir.

07. Gorgoroth – Pentagram (1994)

“Pentagram” is the debut studio album by Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. It was the only album to feature Samoth on bass and Goat Pervertor on drums.

The album includes raw tracks like “Begravelsesnatt” and “Ritual”. While songs such as “Crushing the Scepter” and “Maaneskyggens Slave” capture Gorgoroth cold and uncompromising black metal sound.

08. Enslaved – Frost (1994)

“Frost” is the second studio album by Norwegian extreme metal band Enslaved. This would be the last album to feature drummer Trym Torson before he joined Emperor. AllMusic called the album “an important release for the extreme music subgenre of Viking metal“.

The album features powerful songs like “Loke” and “Fenris” while “Yggdrasill” and “Isöders dronning” highlight Enslaved blend of black metal with Norse mythology and Viking themes.

09. Satyricon – Nemesis Divina (1996)

“Nemesis Divina” (Latin for ‘divine nemesis’) is the third studio album by Norwegian black metal band Satyricon. The band have described the album as “darker” and “more aggressive” than their previous work. Is generally considered a classic of the black metal genre.

The album includes the classic “Mother North” alongside tracks like “The Dawn of a New Age” and “Immortality Passion” which shows Satyricon cold and majestic black metal style.

10. Dissection – Storm of the Light’s Bane (1995)

“Storm of the Light’s Bane” is the second full-length studio album by Swedish black metal band Dissection. Several publications have called the album a “masterpiece” and “one of the best black metal albums ever written”. The album is notable for being one of the earliest and most successful examples of a band combining black metal with the melodic death metal.

The album features iconic tracks like “Night’s Blood” and “Where Dead Angels Lie” while songs such as “Unhallowed”. And “Soulreaper” define Dissection cold and melodic black metal sound.

Cast your vote for up to three of the albums above or tell us your personal Top 10 black metal albums in the comments below – we’d love to see your picks!