Dark metal

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Dark Metal
Stylistic origins:	Black metal, Doom metal, Gothic metal, Symphonic black metal
Cultural origins:	Mid 1990s; Germany
Typical instruments:	Guitar – Bass guitar – Drums – Keyboard
Mainstream popularity:	Underground to moderate
Regional scenes
Europe

Dark metal is a subjective term used to describe metal bands from various genres that have combined traits from gothic metal, doom metal, black metal^[1] as well as some symphonic elements, synthesizer use, acoustic guitar experimentation and/or operatic female vocals. The music can be described as an atmospheric, melodic, more sophisticated sound within the metal genre, and sometimes also with progressive touch (e.g earlier Opeth). The lyrics are often introspective and poetic. Some dark metal bands also often incorporate death metal influences.

The term is thought to have been coined by German Band Bethlehem, with their album Dark Metal from 1994.^[2]

Other most important bands in dark metal genre, are Rotting Christ (mid), Thy Serpent, Deinonychus, Empyrium, Agalloch, Forgotten Tomb and Katatonia (early).

In a 2005 interview done by Barry Lee Dejasu for the magazine Modern Fix, John Haughm was quoted as suggesting Agalloch's musical sound was Dark Metal. "Sure, we have progressive and experimental elements but the root is Dark Metal." (Issue 54).

The term is often used by the media and fans to describe already known bands in various metal genres due to themes that are considered more dark. The term is also brought up by more recent underground metal bands seeking an atmospheric or darker approach in sound.