FRIDAY PLAYLISTS: Hellenic Black

Greek black metal

HELLENIC BLACK

I went to Athens, Greece (and the island of Santorini) at the end of Summer 2023. I loved the city; ancient, bewildering, full on monuments that stand as triumphs to European civilization, and great, fresh food. I got ripped while there. While there, however, I went to see the Polish black metal band Mgla. The stadium that Mgla played in was absolutely massive, and sold out. Black metal is as popular in Greece as any genre of music is. Already primed to understand this kind of music, it is sensible that the Greeks would pioneer their own black metal sound.

While less popular and historocized than the regional black metal in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, the Hellenic bands carved out their own style in the genre patheon. Traditional metal riffage, mid-tempo pacing, folk elements and common use of drum machines result in a warmer take on the icy black metal scene, for worshipping the pagan gods beneath the warmth of the Mediterranean sun.

I don’t want to document the bands in here. If you want to ask about one of them, feel free to message me.