The 2020s have been bleak as fuck, haven't they? At least we got some great black metal out of it.

From the Northern cold to the Australian outback, great black metal albums have come from all over the globe this decade. The genre has exploded in Eastern Europe, while black metal's pegan roots have even infiltrated the lore of indigenous cultures. It's been an endlessly fascinating era for black metal, so check out these brutal masterworks from the 2020s.

Oranssi Pazuzu –  Mestarin kynsi (2020)

This band is so fucking great. After the twisted vortex that was 2016’s Värähtelijä, how much deeper into the black hole could Oranssi Pazuzu go? Instead of topping their previous album’s hypnosis, the band went cinematic with their surrealism and even touched on industrial elements with Mestarin kynsi. This record is Oranssi's equivalent to what Goblin achieved with their Susperia soundtrack. It’s just a masterpiece. 

UADA – Djinn (2020)

Think you had UADA figured out? The lead riffs to “Djinn” singlehandedly destroyed what you thought this band was capable of. How could something sound so cold, yet so upbeat? In a nutshell, that’s the story of UADA’s third studio album. There’s so much classic ‘80s influence to drink in throughout Djinn — just the timeless simplicity of undeniably good songwriting. This record’s all about the craft. 

Kanonenfieber – Menschenmühle (2021)

If you’re into black metal World War I scholars 1914 or Minenwurfer, then Kanonenfieber should be right up your alley. Sung entirely in German, Menschenmühle is a stylistic peak into the bleakest war of the last few centuries. It’s an existential nightmare mixed with the brute force of tanks treading and cannons blasting. The slower moments on this record really stand out, creating a truly uncomfortable listen when the buttery double kicks are abandoned for slow marches. 

Plebeian Grandstand – Rien ne suffit (2021)

Debemur Morti Productions couldn’t find a shitty album if they stepped in it. Every release sets the standard for modern avant garde metal, including the extremely abrasive Rien ne suffit by Plebeian Grandstand. This is such an antisocial listen — ugly industrial tones, atonal guitars, wailing vocals, drums that refuse to create a lasting groove. It’s just fiendish from note one.  

Blackbraid – Blackbraid I (2022)

The hype is real, my friends. This one-man Native American black metal project is a phenomenal tribute to indigenous mythology, the natural wonders of the western continent and the pagan beauty of traditional black metal. Everything on this album (and Blackbraid II) flows like a great river — wondrous and unstoppable throughout. Just hit play and get taken away.

White Ward – False Light (2022)

You think we were done with Debemur Morti? Fuck outta here. Have you heard the despair of White Ward’s False Light? It’s another hyper-expressive black metal masterwork from Eastern Europe, with killer saxophone parts to click the moodiness up a notch. This record also features the most beautiful clean vocals you’ll ever hear on a black metal record… truly Akerfeldt-esque. 

Gaerea – Mirage (2022)

Portugal’s Gaerea initially broke through with 2020’s Limbo, but on 2022’s Mirage, they proved the staying power of their explosive sound. The production on Mirage is stellar, setting a lush soundscape that propels the fiercely expressive vocals to the very front of the mix. Like Behemoth, Gaerea’s sound blends the primitive and the polished, making for an instantly addictive listen. 

Liturgy – 93696 (2023)

No way in hell we’d leave this album out of the mix. We get it, Liturgy is a little too hipstery for you black metal purists, but god damn, this thing never delivers a dull moment. You’ve got to admire the craftsmanship of 93696. It’s endlessly epic, filled with all types of classy bells and whistles, and played with the surgical precision of a Converge album. Give it an honest listen while The Shining plays on mute in the background.

Fathomage – Autumn’s Dawn, Winter’s Darkness (2023)

Fathomage delivered one of the best atmospheric records of 2023, with all the natural beauty (and horrors) of the Australian wilderness. However, beauty is ultimately the goal on Autumn’s Dawn, Winter’s Darkness. There’s so much gorgeous piano and acoustic guitar work mixed in with the sonic whirlwind of electricity and high shrieking vocals. This album goes down like a good whisky. 

Malist – Of Scorched Earth (2024)

Back to the good ol’ meat and potatoes of black metal, Malist put out a killer new album in 2024. If you’re looking for an expertly crafted album that doesn’t stray too far from the classics, Of Scorched Earth could be an early AOTY contender. The riffs are big, the atmosphere is on point, the vocals are sharp, it’s beautiful moments are stunning and it’s consistent as fuck.