[2025] Handle With Care! Recommended Depressive Black Metal Bands Summary

In recent years—partly due to the influence of the film “Lords of Chaos”—it feels like more music fans have at least heard the term “black metal.” But are you familiar with the genre commonly known as “depressive black metal”?

This article introduces some of the most notable bands in depressive black metal—often abbreviated as DSBM overseas—a subgenre derived from black metal that is intensely introspective and decidedly world-weary.

Even among black metal fans, many find DSBM difficult to enjoy.

It’s a highly selective genre, so please approach it with due caution!