Burzum - "Filosophem" (1996)
Varg Vikernes' last record before his imprisonment for murder and church burnings (how cute) may be one of Black Metal's finest moments. The opening track "Dunkelheit" (Darkness) could very well be my favorite song ever made in this genre, with its atmospheric riff and noticeable doom-metal influence. As for the rest of the album, it contains longer songs with a stronger emphasis on structure and a wider arrange of instrumentation.
Ulver- Nattens Madrigal (1996)
Ulver's third record showcased the band's mastery of "primitive" black metal production. Falsely rumored to have been recorded in a forest (an idea so lame, if it were true I wouldn't even be discussing this record), the production displays an adherence to a raw sound while remaining listenable and clearly demonstrative of the band's musical talent. While many black metal bands disguised their lack of talent with raw production, this album proved that Ulver was superior to their peers in virtually every aspect. Eventually this band's sound would transcend the limitations of "true Norwegian black metal," which should not have surprised anyone.
Emperor- "In the Nightside Eclipse" (1994)
The first proper full-length album by Emperor still gives me chills. Quite possibly the darkest record in the early history of black metal, it assaults the listener with its speed, creates a wonderfully hypnotizing atmosphere with its subtle melody, and reigns supreme for having never been duplicated by the countless imitators it produced.
Immortal- "At the Heart of Winter" (1998)
Immortal has always been, in my opinion, one of the most musically eclectic bands in their genre. Their incorporation of thrash metal and death metal into the Norwegian black metal sound complimented their impressive guitar playing and truly set them apart from their contemporaries throughout the 1990s. "At the Heart of Winter" best exemplifies the band's diversity and uniqueness.
Carpathian Forest- "Black Shining Leather" (1998)
Shamelessly nonconformist, Carpathian Forest mixes the abrasiveness of punk with the heaviness of black metal to create a sound that is instantly recognizable and memorable. "Black Shining Leather" demonstrated that CF certainly was not afraid to venture into territories that other band's feared, that black metal's protagonists had taken themselves and their ascetic ad absurdum, and that even The Cure was fair game for black metal parody.
- Joe