Symphonic black metal
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{{Original research|date=March 2008}}
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2008}}
{{Infobox Music genre
|name=Symphonic black metal
|bgcolor=#BB0022
|color=white
|stylistic_origins=[[Black metal]]<br>[[Symphonic metal]]<br>[[Classical music]]
|cultural_origins=late 1980s and early 1990s in [[Switzerland]] and [[Scandinavia]]
|instruments=[[Electric guitar|Guitar]] - [[Bass guitar|Bass]] - [[Drum kit|Drums]] - [[Keyboard instrument#Electrophones|Keyboards]] - [[Piano]] - [[Violin]] - other acoustic and electronic instruments
|popularity= Mostly underground, though a few bands are in the metal mainstream
|fusiongenres=[[Melodic black metal]]
|other_topics=[[Timeline of heavy metal]]
}}
'''Symphonic black metal''' is a style of [[black metal]] that uses [[symphony|symphonic]] and [[orchestra]]l elements. This may include the usage of instruments found in symphony orchestras ([[piano]], [[violin]], [[cello]], [[flute]] and [[keyboard instrument|keyboards]]), "clean" or operatic vocals, guitars with less distortion, and song structures that are more defined or are inspired by symphonies. However, much of the characteristics of "traditional" black metal are retained, such as shrieked vocals, fast tempos and high pitched electric guitars often played with [[tremolo picking]].
Symphonic black metal is often confused with [[melodic black metal]] and [[gothic metal]], as there are similarities and often overlapping between the styles.
==Comparison with melodic black metal==
Often, there is confusion between symphonic black metal and [[melodic black metal]], as both are black metal subgenres, both have slower tempos, and both have a more defined song structure. That sometimes leads symphonic black metal bands to be erroneously classified as melodic black metal, and vice-versa. However, symphonic black metal makes extensive usage of instruments found in symphonies, while melodic black metal focuses more on guitar melodies and solos. Most bands combine traits from both genres, though.
==Comparison with gothic metal==
There is also confusion between symphonic black metal and [[gothic metal]]. Traits such as female vocals and "clean" guitar riffs are used in both. The difference is that while symphonic black metal is a subgenre of black metal, gothic metal isn't. Also the guitar work on gothic metal is less distorted than in symphonic black metal. Apart from this, the symphonic elements synthesized in gothic metal are more influenced by classical music (so they express a stronger feeling of art and beauty), while in symphonic black metal, they are usually used to provide the music with a darker and more haunting background.
Nevertheless symphonic black metal, melodic black metal and gothic metal are often mixed together.
==List of symphonic black metal bands==
Bands of this subgenre include:
<!--please only add bands with articles (no red links). -->
* [[Agathodaimon (band)|Agathodaimon]]
* [[...and Oceans]]
* [[Anorexia Nervosa (band)|Anorexia Nervosa]]
* [[Arcturus (band)|Arcturus]]
* [[Arthemesia]]
* [[Bal-Sagoth]]
* [[Black Messiah]]
* [[Carach Angren]]
* [[Ceremonial Castings]]
* [[Chthonic (band)|Chthonic]]
* [[Cradle of Filth]]
* [[Darkwoods My Betrothed]]
* [[Darzamat]]
* [[Diabolical Masquerade]]
* [[Dimmu Borgir]]
* [[Dragonlord (band)|Dragonlord]]
* [[Drastique]]
* [[Emperor (band)|Emperor]]
* [[Enslavement of Beauty]]
* [[Equilibrium (band)|Equilibrium]]
* [[Graveworm]]
* [[Hecate Enthroned]]
* [[Hollenthon]]
* [[Limbonic Art]]
* [[Lux Occulta]]
* [[Morgul]]
* [[Necromantia]]
* [[Negura Bunget]]
* [[Nightfall (band)|Nightfall]]
* [[Nokturnal Mortum]]
* [[Obtained Enslavement]]
* [[Opera IX]] (early)
* [[Rotting Christ]] (mid)
* [[Stormlord (band)|Stormlord]]
* [[Summoning (band)|Summoning]]
* [[Theatres des Vampires]]
* [[Thy Serpent]]
* [[Tiamat (band)|Tiamat]]
* [[Trail of Tears (band)|Trail of Tears]]
* [[Tvangeste]]
* [[Twilight Ophera]]
* [[Tyrant (Japanese band)|Tyrant]]
* [[Vesania]]
* [[Vesperian Sorrow]]
{{heavymetal}}
{{extreme metal}}
[[Category:Heavy metal subgenres]]
[[Category:Symphonic black metal| ]]
[[es:Black metal sinfónico]]
[[fr:Black metal symphonique]]
[[it:Symphonic black metal]]
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[[pl:Symfoniczny black metal]]
[[pt:Black metal sinfônico]]
[[ru:Симфонический блэк-метал]]
[[fi:Sinfoninen black metal]]
[[sv:Symphonic black metal]]
[[tr:Senfonik black metal]]