Trébuchet SDG is quite possibly the best black metal artist to arrive in 2023. Bold a statement as it may be, it very well may be true. The music is well-crafted, beautiful, and quite harsh all in unison. That is simply black metal done right.

It seems as if there is an influx of newcomers to the underground black metal scene, specifically when it comes to quality artists. One such artist is Kärv out of Sweden, a raw black metal outfit that has hit the ground running at a rabid pace.

You say black metal, I say blackened death metal. Regardless of what side of the subgenre aisle you find yourself after listening to A Hill To Die Upon, anyone with ears to hear cannot deny the musical genius that the band embodies.

Black Birch out of Sweden is a project that came onto the scene in January of this year. Their brand of post-black metal blends elements of both heartbreak and hopefulness in a distinct and mysterious way.

Arguably one of the most compelling atmospheric black metal acts around is Vials of Wrath, an artist who captures themes about nature, faith, and eternity within the confines of melodic metal.

Sweden and black metal go together like peanut butter and jelly, so it’s no surprise that Skald In Veum brings a natural, organic approach to their music. Blacforje had the pleasure of connecting with the band about their music and the future plans.

Similar to ‘Hymns of the Woodlands’, ‘Beneath the Waves of Eternity’ brings an intensity to its portrayal of beauty, nature, and the eternal. Blacforje had the honor of asking Grot about their music and the vision behind the artist’s work.

There have been some quality artists arising in black metal, one of which is Marble Tomb. With the release of their 2022 debut album, Marble Tomb quickly caught the ears of eager listeners looking for fury and an unrelenting attack sonically.

Withered Land is not metal without a spine, nor is it music without direction. Olga is an artist who endeavors to create in multiple formats. Through those expressions, we see the heart behind the artist in all of its joys and sufferings.

Hailing from Vennesla, Norway, Flukt is a pure black metal band holding nothing back in their ferocious approach to the genre. Some might call it “raw black metal”, but Flukt self-describes it as “old school”.

In his latest album titled Heorot, Burden of Ymir takes a musical journey into the narrative of Beowulf, blending a mix of storytelling and Viking black metal into a masterpiece. Blacforje had the honor of connecting with the man behind the band.

The Powers That Be, only Mercy’s second album released since their debut in 2013, was well worth the wait. Granted, we wish they would pick up the pace a little, especially if they make black metal this good.

What is a “walg”, you might ask? Well, don’t ask us. We have no idea. What we can help you with is gaining some insight into the band’s background, their musical vision, and their thoughts on good local (to The Netherlands) coffee.

Givre is a solid act recently signed by Eisenwald (a great signing, in our opinion). Like the cold weather up North, Givre’s music has a chill that reverberates in your inner being, all while there is a hopeful element that is intangible, yet very real.

French artist Inherits The Void recently released their 2nd album titled ‘The Impending Fall of the Stars’, an all-out melodic black metal gem. For listeners new to the artist’s work, this is a pleasant surprise.