An Ode to my favourite Black Metal album

 Today I wanna talk about one of my most favourite black metal albums of all time. 

When I got into black metal in 2018, I was searching for all that I can find and listen to them all day long. From classics like Filosofem and De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas to much more niche things like Siebenbürgen. I listened to an album a day, quickly growing more obsessed with this new world in front of me. This is how I discovered my favourite BM subgenere. Black n Roll.

            Album cover of "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas"

The bastard offspring of Rock n Roll and Black Metal. Things that should never have been mixed together and yet creates a delectable auditory mayhem. My search for more and more of this subgenre led me to find the album I'd fall in love with for the years to come.

Album cover of "Black Shining Leather"

Black Shining Leather by Carpathian Forest. Originally released in 1998 with Nattefrost on the vocals. I always thought of Nattefrost as one of the best vocalists in the genre. Raw, gritty and raspy yet, his words are surprisingly clear to understand.

The album explores themes of sadomasochism for the most part. Matched with Nattefrost's gritty, raw vocals and Rock n Roll inspired guitar riffs, the end result is dark, sinister and addictive. The guitar work is surprisingly catchy while maintaining the signature unpolishedness. This album riles up the Rock n Roll aspect without losing any of the Black Metal. The synthesizers are truly a cherry on top top the atmosphere it creates. From the moans that start out the title track, "Black Shining Leather" to the hellish black metal fury of "Pierced Genetalia" this album evokes a depraved sexual atmosphere. Like "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails on crack. The end of the album features a cover of The Cure, "A Forest". Dark and atmospheric, it's one of the best The Cure covers I've heard while simultaneously being the most unique one. 

Nattefrost 

Black Shining Leather, by all means is no ordinary black metal album and neither will it be palatable for everyone out there. It's unique, chaotic and undeniably raw. This album will forever have a place in my heart. I give this a 9/10 and recommend to everyone who enjoys Black n Roll and well....good Black Metal in general.

(Written by Sunny)