Hello and welcome! If you're reading this, you are probably new here and might be a bit overwhelmed with all of the great music out there.
Blackgaze has a lot of variety within the genre and the Wiki has some pages that go into deeper breakdowns. But for now, this post will serve as a mini beginner guide to some of the most notable bands and artists of the subgenre.
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Alcest
One of the pioneers of the genre. Neige and Winterhalter have been members of several post-black metal bands, but Alcest is the only one still active. Heavily inspired by nature and spirituality, their dreamy melodies feel like sunbeams on your skin. Every album is great in it's own regard. Take time to explore them all.
My favorite: Kodama
Lantlôs
Another one of Neige's projects. Compared to Alcest, Lantlôs' first 2 albums have a much darker tone that beautifully flirts with post-rock and jazz. After Neige's departure, Siegenhort has since taken the reins. Their style and sound has shifted, but the band's progressive nature and creativity still remains.
My favorite: .neon
Deafheaven
Maybe one of the most polarizing metal bands in existence. They're considered to be the band that popularized blackgaze via Sunbather. Gut-wrenching howls over wailing guitar riffs that morph into soft, melodic ballads all over the course of one song. Though their sound has softened over the years, they continue to capture audiences with their live theatrics and emotive lyrics.
My favorite: New Bermuda
Sadness
A one-man project that has recently boomed in popularity, rightfully so. With a huge discography and tons of splits, there's so much to dig through. Through the shrieks and droning walls of sound, the pain and longing is tangible. This is DSBM for those with hope and love in their hearts. Best known for the album "I Want To Be There".
My favorite: _____
MØL
Often recommended to those that like Deafheaven, but they should not be considered merely an imitator. Explosive and guitar-forward with powerful, reptilian vocals, their music is dynamic and never boring. They also offer instrumental versions of their albums for a totally different experience.
My favorite: Diorama
An Autumn for Crippled Children
Now referred to as "An Autumn", they've been in the game for a while and are a unique pillar of the scene. Post-punk meets post-black metal with prominent synth; a goth's dream. Able to maintain structure despite their raw, noisy quality and unintelligible vocals.
My favorite: Try Not to Destroy Everything You Love
Asunojokei 明日の叙景
I consider this to be one of the most talented and interesting bands out there right now. A very flexible band, their first EP is more akin to DSBM while their newest album is upbeat, vibrant, and even danceable. Incredibly emotive and strong melodies carry you through like a proggy, metallic Envy.
My favorite: Island
Numenorean
Controversial and now defunct, they still remain a name in the genre. Blackgaze, but heavy on the black. Atmospheric and full of despair. They don't necessarily provide anything ground-breaking, but they're solid and visceral. Their latest release made an attempt to diversify this sound and has been described as "Gojira, but black metal".
My favorite: Adore
Unreqvited
Another selection with a ton of sonic variety, Unreqvited is a one-man project. From dreary DSBM, to ambient with nature sounds, to symphonic black metal, there's something for everyone. Pained shrieks take a backseat to beautiful soundscapes. They've also done splits with others on this list.
My favorite: Disquiet
Show Me a Dinosaur
St.Petersberg has a notable post-black metal scene and SMAD is one of the more well-known acts. Could be considered a "post-everything" band with all of the influences they incorporate. Soft, lush guitar tones gradually crescendo into hard-hitting blasts and fast tremolo-picking.
So i Just saw Nidare/Unreqvited/heretoir live in Neunkirchen(Germany) and i cant believe how lucky i am. I am so grateful that the Mastermind behind Unreqvited signed my Battle vest and Had the time to Chat with me. One of the best Metal Moments of my live.
And i had the Chance to Talk to Heretoir! These Guys we're so Kind and took so much time for us! If you have the Chance to Go to this Tour - DO IT! ❤️
“My blood, my flesh, my veins
Play with me, play with me
My bones, my beast
Play with me, play with me
There's a starving beast inside my chest
Playing with me until he's bored
Then, slowly burying his tusks in my flesh
Crawling his way out he rips open old wounds
When I reach for the knife
Placed on the bedside table
Its blade reflects my determined face
To plant it in my chest
And carve a hole so deep it snaps my veins
Hollow me out, hollow me out, I want to feel empty
Where I could see my master's thorns
I'd start peeling the skin off his cheeks
And scratch his eyes until he could no longer see
The blood dripping on the white sheets of my bed
The stains I will never manage to remove
The stains I will never...
The stains I will never manage to remove
The stains I will never...
My blood, my flesh, my veins
Play with me, play with me
My bones, my beast
Play with me, play with me
Dripping all over the floor
I would drag myself outside
As I open the front door
The sun captures my weary face
The weight comes off when I let go
It's so strange, being able to feel nothing
Being able to feel nothing
Being able to feel nothing
Being able to feel nothing
Being able to feel nothing
Being able to feel nothing”
Bloody Knives drag us straight into the darkness with “Kill Me Again” — a vicious collision of noise, distortion, and hypnotic intensity.
Dark, abrasive, and beautifully unsettling, this is underground music with teeth. No polish. No compromises. Just a relentless wall of sound that demands to be played LOUD.
This is why we love the darker side of shoegaze and noise rock. 🔥
🖤 SUPPORT OUR SHOEGAZE FAMILY! Discover Bloody Knives, stream their music, buy their releases, and spread the noise. Independent artists need us more than ever.
This video is from a few months ago when we opened for Conan (UK). Please give us your feedback! We are looking to tour the West Coast after we record our first album in November. www.pastthelight.com
i had a few people ask me to post when the song was up! here ya go! right now it’s only on spotify and tidal, but it will be on youtube music and apple music very soon!
this is my first release under my solo DSBM/blackgaze project “Bitter Sanity”! i have a fully original song almost ready to release as well, i’m planning on recording the vocals today!
thank you SO SO much in advance if you decide to go check it out, it will be worth it if makes even one person feel something :)
Sharing a release from the heavier end of the underground: I’m behind Rupture of the Gastrointestinal Tract, and Dolcett came out today.
It’s six tracks of black metal with depressive and atmospheric elements, around 21 minutes altogether. Xasthur and Woods of Desolation are partial reference points if you are wondering whether it might be your kind of music.
