Recommended hard rock and heavy metal

[Extreme Music] A roundup of recommended extreme metal bands

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

Even within heavy metal, there are so many subgenres that it’s hard to keep track of them all, and everyone has their own tastes.

Some people love melodic metal, while others find that the more extreme it is, the better—which is fascinating, isn’t it?

This article focuses on “extreme metal,” a part of heavy metal that is often aggressive and intense, with dark and underground themes.

While there’s no strict definition, we introduce bands—particularly among death metal, black metal, and thrash metal—that are frequently described as “extreme metal.” If you enjoy intense music, be sure to check it out!

[Extreme Music] Recommended Extreme Metal Bands Roundup (11–20)

Woman of Dark DesiresBathory

Bathory – Woman of Dark Desires

Woman of Dark DesiresBathory

Formed in Sweden in 1983, Bathory is a legendary presence in the extreme metal scene.

The innovative black metal created by Quorthon forged a unique world with its dark, aggressive sound and raw recordings.

In particular, the 1988 album Blood Fire Death stands as a foundational work for what came to be called black metal, and Quorthon’s scream-like shouts greatly influenced subsequent artists.

What’s remarkable about Bathory is that rather than repeating a purely black metal sound, from the 1990 masterpiece Hammerheart onward they crafted a style that became the blueprint for what would later be called Viking metal.

The band ended with Quorthon’s passing, but their influence continues to be carried on by successor bands.

If you’re a fan of extreme metal, this band’s music is sure to strike a chord with you!

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He Will Fight SavagelyVITRIOL

VITRIOL – He Will Fight Savagely (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

He Will Fight SavagelyVITRIOL

Portland-based extreme death metal band VITRIOL crafts a unique sound world where abyssal darkness merges with razor-sharp technical performance.

Since emerging on the scene with their 2013 demo “Antichrist,” they have continually pushed the boundaries of their music.

Their 2019 album, “To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice,” captivated many fans with its intensity and virtuosity.

VITRIOL’s appeal lies not only in its extremity, but also in its profound emotional expression and high level of musicality.

In the spring of 2024, they are set to join the Chaos and Carnage tour, unveiling a further evolved sound.

Highly recommended for those seeking both punishing heaviness and deep emotional resonance.

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In conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning, the bands introduced this time are representative groups of so-called extreme metal, but there are countless bands around the world playing intense, truly extreme metal.

Rather than searching under the broad label of extreme metal, I recommend using this article as a springboard to dig deeper into subgenres like black metal and death metal.