Melodic black metal is sometimes confused with gothic metal, doom metal, and symphonic black metal due to similarities in the styles.
Unlike traditional black metal, melodic black metal usually revolves around deep structure and accessibility. A song typically consists of harmonic minor scales, often modulating violently between minor chords by thirds (e.g., F♯m-Am-Cm, etc.) Many of the songs incorporate heavy guitar power chords, but unlike traditional black metal, the songs have at least some control on the volume, allowing the music to blend instead of sounding too "noisy". The songs usually begin with a melodic introduction, be it clean guitar or keyboards and usually move on to a more aggressive and distorted sound as the piece advances. Unlike typical black metal songs, melodic black metal compositions have, on the most part, very clearly defined bridges. Songs generally go from introduction to verse to a prechorus to chorus to verse to prechorus to chorus and then to a bridge. In a bridge the music can turn quite mellow, unlike black metal. The bridge, however, turns back into the verse or the black metal sound with a very swift and unexpected turn (usually a loud death grunt).
Heavy drumming and highly structured guitar riffs (usually played with what some call reverse, or inverted, power chords and tremolo picking) are the most prominent feature of the genre, entailing melodic structure deep within the composition and sound.
The lyrical themes and main attributes, however, still come from black metal, with melodic black metal's lyrical subjects usually remaining the same (although many melodic black metal bands are not as aggressively anti-Christian). Like most black metal bands, the lyrics are usually quite aggressive, whether added intentionally or bearing the aggression of the lyricist.
The physical appearance of melodic black metal musicians has remained very close to that of traditional black metal bands. Band members use corpse paint for live performances, spikes, and black clothing. They generally use pseudonyms or stage names and choose to remain unknown in mainstream circles.
Progenies of the Great Apocalypse
Dimmu Borgir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fuelled by the venom of hatred for man
Consistently, without the eyes to see
By those who revel in sewer equally
We, the prosperity of the future seal
Cloaked by the thunders of the north wind
Born to capture the essence of
The trails of our kind
Zero tolerance must be issued forth
Behind the enemy's line
So it shall be written
And so it shall be done
(repeat 1st and 2nd verse)
Discover and conceive the secret wealth
And pass it unto your breed
Become your own congregation
Measure the sovereignty of it's invigoration
We, who not deny the animal of our nature
We, who yearn to preserve our liberation
We, who face darkness in our hearts with a solemn fire
We, who aspire to the truth and pursue it's strength
Are we not the undisputed prodigy of warfare
Fearing all the mediocrity that they possess
Should we not hunt the bastards down with our might
Reinforce and claim the throne that is rightfully ours
Consider the god we could be without the grace
Once and for all
Diminish the sub principle and leave it's toxic trace
Once and for all
The opening lyrics of Dimmu Borgir's song Progenies of the Great Apocalypse speak of a battle that has been raging on and on. A battle that is fueled by the venom of hatred for man, which is consistently perpetuated by those who revel in filth, sewage, and all things rotten and negative. The lyrics convey the idea that there are people out there who are blinded by their hatred and who seek to spread negativity and hatred wherever they go.
The next set of lyrics speaks of a group of people who see themselves as the prosperity of the future, sealed by the thunders of the north wind. These people were born to capture the essence of the trails of their kind, and they believe that zero tolerance must be issued forth behind the enemy's line. They call for action, stating that it shall be written, and it shall be done. The lyrics convey the idea that this group of people is determined to take action against the forces of negativity and hatred that they see around them.
The last set of lyrics of the song speaks of a group of people who are not afraid to acknowledge the animal nature of their being, and who yearn to preserve their liberation. They face the darkness in their hearts with a solemn fire and aspire to the truth and pursue its strength. They call themselves the undisputed prodigy of warfare, and they are determined to claim the throne that is rightfully theirs by defeating all the mediocrity that they see possessing the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The battle raged on and on
The fight continued relentlessly
Fuelled by the venom of hatred for man
It was driven by a deep loathing for humans
Consistently, without the eyes to see
Always, but unable to perceive the bigger picture
By those who revel in sewer equally
By those who delight in filth and degradation
We, the prosperity of the future seal
We, the ones who ensure future success
Cloaked by the thunders of the north wind
Protected by powerful natural forces
Born to capture the essence of
Destined to embody the very soul of
The trails of our kind
The path that our people must follow
Zero tolerance must be issued forth
We cannot tolerate any defiance
Behind the enemy's line
Even when infiltrating enemy territory
So it shall be written
Our decree cannot be denied
And so it shall be done
We will act upon what we have declared
Discover and conceive the secret wealth
Find and understand the hidden riches
And pass it unto your breed
And share it with your kind
Become your own congregation
Form your own group with shared beliefs
Measure the sovereignty of it's invigoration
Assess the power that it gives you
We, who not deny the animal of our nature
We embrace our primal instincts
We, who yearn to preserve our liberation
We value our freedom fiercely
We, who face darkness in our hearts with a solemn fire
We confront our inner demons with determination
We, who aspire to the truth and pursue it's strength
We seek the truth and the strength it provides
Are we not the undisputed prodigy of warfare
Are we not the supreme masters of war?
Fearing all the mediocrity that they possess
We despise all their mundane and ordinary ways
Should we not hunt the bastards down with our might
Shouldn't we eradicate them with all our power?
Reinforce and claim the throne that is rightfully ours
Strengthen our hold and take what is rightfully ours
Consider the god we could be without the grace
Imagine the godly beings we could become without mercy
Once and for all
Finally and completely
Diminish the sub principle and leave it's toxic trace
Destroy the lesser belief and its corrupt influence once and for all
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STIAN TOMT THORESEN, SVEN ATLE KOPPERUD, TOM RUNE ANDERSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Madalawow
The battle raged on and on
Fuelled by the venom of hatred for man
Consistently, without the eyes to see
By those who rebel in sewer equally
We, the prosperity of the future seal
Cloaked by the thunders of the north wind
Born to capture the essence of
The trails of our kind
Zero tolerance must be issued forth
Behind the enemy's line
So it shall be written
And so it shall be done(x2)
The battle raged on and on
Fuelled by the venom of hatred for man
Consistently, without the eyes to see
By those who revel in sewer equally
We, the prosperity of the future seal
Cloaked by the thunders of the north wind
Born to capture the essence of
The traits of our kind
Discover and conceive the secret wealth
And pass it unto your breed
Become your own congregation
and measure the sovereignity of it's invigoration
We, who not deny the animal of our nature
We, who yearn to preserve our liberation
We, who face darkness in our hearts with a solemn fire
We, who aspire to the truth and pursue it's strength
Are we not the undisputed prodigy of warfare
Fearing all the mediocrity that they possess
Should we not take the bastards down with our might
Reinforce and claim the throne that is rightfully ours
Considering the God we could be without the grace
Once and for all
Diminish the sub principle and leave its toxic trace
Once and for all
@ast9555
@@Scaar420 I agree with you !!
Although I could easily say
spiritual black dimension
Entrhrone darkness triumphant
Even godless savage garden
Then again abrahadabra and finally Aeonian
I ve had the pleasure and lack to attend a live for spiritual black dimensions back in 2004 I think (perfect!! ) and also after so many tears again in Aeonian on Greece !!
Perfect band , masterminds and pioneers of a whole new scene ! Exceptional musicians every single one of them ! I will always consider them something different and unique !!
P.s best album of 2021 Nightfall”at night we pray”
Don’t forget to check out
Rotting Christ
And Septic flesh
@burpostockings
I love how my mother told me in high school this music was just a phase but here i am, working on forklifts, paying a mortgage, raising 2 kids, renovating a bathroom, and still blaring this on my speaker. :D
@joker69ification
Lol. Same thing here bro
@solitudebychoice
the same thing to me...metal is just lifetime virus
@bloodreaver6097
Same here, man... still feeling motivated to discover and conceive the secret wealth
@zortman66
Shit, I play this music for my elementary PE classes!
@darojaro3789
Same here. Over 20 years have been listening to this shit.
@sebadrum16
The part where the bassist starts singing like he's in the opera is one of the coolest things I've seen
@kornelmoleda
Vortex - check arcturus
@piotrlobacz
That bit sends shivers down my spine every time ona good way
@smashingairguitars
That's my favourite part. That man has some pipes on him.