[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by pitseleh

You know, that "bad" sound quality? That's what true black metal is supposed to sound like. Now, I get that some bands want to "branch out" and make their music accessible to those with a low tolerance for grimness, or simply make the instruments and vocals stand out clearer. Bands like Emperor and Enslaved have pretty much always strived for an epic, produced sound, and no-one can dispute their place among the greats in modern progressive metal. But when it comes to creating that really cold, grim and dismal atmosphere of true, cult black metal, nothing says "fuck off and die" quite like a fuzzed-out dirge of buzzing, trebly guitars and muffled blastbeats that sounds like it was recorded in an ancient cathedral/slaughterhouse. If you don't get that, then you can't call yourself a black metal fan.

Listen to some Darkthrone, Burzum, Leviathan, Weakling, Beatrik, Make a Change... Kill Yourself, or any other really bleak and depressive black metal band, and tell me an expensive production job wouldn't strip away at least fifty percent of the evil atmosphere. That's part of the appeal of aggressive and/or nihilistic music (of any kind, really); It doesn't compromise and pander to the general public perception of what "good sound" is.

Well said Pitseleh, that`s just what I was going to say!.