Chains rattling in frostbitten cathedrals of the north. 143–200 BPM.
Medieval Black Metal is a subgenre of black metal that incorporates medieval folk music elements, such as acoustic guitars, flutes, and folk melodies, into the typical black metal sound of blast beats and shrieking vocals. Originating in Norway in the early 1990s, it evokes a cold, ancient, and epic atmosphere.
The defining artists of Medieval Black Metal — the names that shaped the sound. Tap to hear on Spotify.
The classic anthems and current essentials that define Medieval Black Metal.
Medieval Black Metal is characterized by fast, tremolo-picked guitar riffs, blast beats, and shrieked vocals, layered with folk instruments like flutes, acoustic guitars, and keyboards. The rhythm often alternates between aggressive black metal sections and slower, melodic passages with a medieval feel.
The overall sound is cold and atmospheric, with a raw production that emphasizes the harshness of the black metal elements while allowing the folk melodies to shine through. The BPM ranges from 143 to 200, with a driving, relentless energy.
Medieval Black Metal emerged in Norway in the early 1990s, rooted in the second wave of black metal. Bands like Satyricon and Emperor began incorporating folk melodies and medieval themes, but it was later groups like Moonsorrow and Windir that fully embraced the medieval aesthetic.
The genre evolved by blending the raw, lo-fi production of black metal with acoustic instruments and folk harmonies. This created a sound that was both aggressive and melodic, often telling tales of Norse mythology and medieval battles.
Culturally, Medieval Black Metal reflects a fascination with pre-Christian Scandinavia and a rejection of modernity. It is deeply tied to Norwegian heritage and the romanticism of a cold, harsh, and heroic past.
How Medieval Black Metal is built — drum pattern, swing, and the sounds you need.
When producing Medieval Black Metal, focus on creating a contrast between the raw, distorted guitars and the clean, folk instruments. Use reverb and delay to give the sound a spacious, cathedral-like quality. The drum pattern should include blast beats for intensity, but also incorporate slower, marching rhythms for the folk sections.
The BPM typically feels fast and aggressive, but the swing can be adjusted to match the folk melodies. Samples of medieval instruments or nature sounds (wind, rain) can enhance the atmosphere. Record guitars with high gain and a cold, trebly tone, and layer multiple tracks for a wall of sound effect.
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