Editing Music of Norway (section)

===Heavy metal===

==== Black metal<!--'Norwegian black metal' redirects here--> ====
{{See also|Early Norwegian black metal scene}}
Norway is famous for [[black metal]]. Though not initially created in Norway, Norwegian bands and musicians have helped to develop the genre, influenced by bands like [[Bathory (band)|Bathory]], [[Venom (band)|Venom]] and [[Mercyful Fate]]. Norway's early black metal music was quite varied in experimentation and innovation&nbsp;– some bands ([[Mayhem (band)|Mayhem]], [[Emperor (Norwegian band)|Emperor]], and [[Gorgoroth]]) focused on creating a dark sound, others focused on using Viking elements ([[Borknagar]], [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]]), and still others ([[Limbonic Art]], [[Dimmu Borgir]]) included keyboards to create the subgenre called [[symphonic black metal]]. However, the use of keyboards is not uncommon in black metal in general. Most bands tune to the key of E and the lyrics focus on themes like darkness, cold, sorrow, depression, evil, [[satanism]] and [[Old Norse religion|Norse Paganism]]. Mayhem is one of the most important black metal bands as it has helped to define the content of the genre. It was the center of a cult and the band set standards for extremity, for example in encouraging violence against churches. The leader of Mayhem, Øystein "[[Euronymous]]" Aarseth, clashed with bandmate Varg "[[Varg Vikernes|Count Grishnackh]]" Vikernes (also known for his band [[Burzum (band)|Burzum]]). This eventually led to Vikernes killing Aarseth. Other controversial events in this scene include the [[suicide]] of former [[Mayhem (band)|Mayhem]] vocalist [[Per Yngve Ohlin|Per Yngve "Dead" Ohlin]] in 1991, and the murder of a homosexual man in [[Lillehammer Municipality|Lillehammer]] by then-[[Emperor (Norwegian band)|Emperor]] drummer [[Faust (musician)|Bård "Faust" Eithun]] in 1992.

After Vikernes' confinement, the Norwegian black metal scene moved to a more open and imaginative environment, and in 1995, the second wave of Norwegian black metal began. Black metal, which had once been an extremely underground phenomenon in its early days, became more well known worldwide. The focus was no longer on death threats and burning churches, although most bands today still trend towards Satanism or are atheists. Modern lyrics still consist of themes concerning evil, Norse mythology, sex, violence and war. Most Norwegian black metal bands sign with companies in Germany and England. Dimmu Borgir uses elements of classical music to expand their music to a wide range of audiences. As a result, their records nowadays show great commercial success, especially in the US. In the early days, Norwegian black metal songs were recorded on four-track tapes, but in recent times, the music has become more sophisticated. With the use of further technology, the quality of music has become better, some critics say, and the musicians, of whom many have a background in classical music, are highly talented and well educated. Still, many believe true black metal should stay underground, obscure and raw. What makes Norwegian black metal unique is the fact that it has "an almost inaudible echo that warns of magic and evil."{{Quote without source|date=August 2021}} Black metal bands from other countries have often tried to reproduce Norwegian black metal sounds but they have not been successful.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} Norwegian black metal has always had a particular sound, and as it continues to be innovative, it sells quite well around the world.<ref>Reading list:

* Hagen, Ross: Norwegian style, ideology, and mythology in Norwegian Black Metal, 2011
(in Metal rules the globe : heavy metal music around the world / Jeremy Wallach, Harris M. Berger, and Paul D. Greene, editors. Durham, N.C., Duke University Press)

* Beste, Peter: True Norwegian Black Metal: we turn the night. New York: Vice, 2008
* Ledang Martin & Aasdal Pål: Once upon a time in Norway: the history of Mayhem and the rise of Norwegian Black Metal.  Oslo, Another World Entertainment 2008
* Moynihan Michael & Søderlind Didrik: Lord of Chaos: The bloody Rise of the Satanic metal Underground. Feral House, 1998
* Olson, Benjamin Hedge: I am the Black Wizards: Multiplicity, mysticism and identity in black metal music and culture. Bowling Green State University, May 2008.
* Documental: TRUE NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL
* [https://www.vice.com/en/article/true-norwegian-black-metal/ Vice.com] 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080414204931/http://www.norsksvartmetall.com/history.htm]</ref>

Norwegian black metal bands include:
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[1349 (band)|1349]]
* [[Arcturus (band)|Arcturus]]
* [[Aura Noir]]
* [[Borknagar]]
* [[Burzum]]
* [[Carpathian Forest]]
* [[Darkthrone]]
* [[Dimmu Borgir]]
* [[Dødheimsgard]]
* [[Drottnar]]
* [[Emperor (Norwegian band)|Emperor]]
* [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]]
* [[Fimbulwinter (band)|Fimbulwinter]]
* [[Gehenna (band)|Gehenna]]
* [[Gorgoroth]]
* [[Hades Almighty]]
* [[Helheim (band)|Helheim]]
* [[I (band)|I]]
* [[Ihsahn]]
* [[Ildjarn]]
* [[Immortal (band)|Immortal]]
* [[In The Woods...]]
* [[Isengard (band)|Isengard]]
* [[Kampfar]]
* [[Keep of Kalessin]]
* [[Khold]]
* [[Koldbrann]]
* [[The Kovenant]]
* [[Limbonic Art]]
* [[Manes (band)|Manes]]
* [[Mayhem (band)|Mayhem]]
* [[Mysticum]]
* [[Nattefrost]]
* [[Old Funeral]]
* [[Old Man's Child]]
* [[Orcustus]]
* [[Peccatum]]
* [[Ragnarok (Norwegian band)|Ragnarok]]
* [[Satyricon (band)|Satyricon]]
* [[Strid (band)|Strid]]
* [[Taake]]
* [[Thorns (band)|Thorns]]
* [[Thou Shalt Suffer]]
* [[Trelldom]]
* [[Tsjuder]]
* [[Tulus (band)|Tulus]]
* [[Ulver]]
* [[Urgehal]]
* [[Vreid]]
* [[Windir]]
* [[Zyklon]]
{{div col end}}

==== Gothic metal ====
[[Gothic metal]] is to be considered a subgenre of [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]. It links sinister, melancholic melodies with highly aggressive heavy metal. Musical characteristics are the use of keyboards and typically female singers. Vocal styles show a wide range of diversity, from clean to growling. The lyrics show great similarities to gothic rock. In Oslo, many goth metal music clubs can be found.
The large Norwegian gothic metal scene includes bands like:
* [[Fleurety]]
* [[Leaves' Eyes]] (Norway & Germany)
* [[Lumsk]]
* [[Midnattsol]] (Norway & Germany)
* [[Myriads]]
* [[The Sins of Thy Beloved]]
* [[Sirenia (band)|Sirenia]]
* [[Tristania (band)|Tristania]]
* [[Theatre of Tragedy]]
* [[Ved Buens Ende]]
* [[Virus (Norwegian band)|Virus]]

==== Death metal ====
Though less notable than its black metal scene, Norway is known for [[death metal]]. In contrast to black metal, death metal uses frequent tempo and time signature changes.  In death metal, the vocals are usually low and guttural, as opposed to black metal vocals which are usually high-pitched. The sound in general is distorted and heavy, sometimes creating a "wall of sound". Famous Norwegian death metal bands include Blood Red Throne, [[Cadaver (band)|Cadaver]], [[Carpe Tenebrum]], [[Myrkskog]], [[Aeternus]], [[Zyklon]], and Fester, as well as [[Darkthrone]]'s first album ''[[Soulside Journey]]''.<ref>
* Freeborn R. 2010. A selective discography of Scandinavian heavy metal music. Notes – Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association 66(4): 840–50.
* Pedersen J. 2002. Look to hell! Look to Norway! Listen to Norway 8(2): 6–11.
* Lysvåg C. 2007. Dimmu Borgir: A demonically high entry on the Billboard list. Retrieved on March 11, 2012, from http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007050311051478404669
* http://jazzinorge.no/
* http://jazzbasen.no/index_eng.html
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