Forgotten Woods is a foundational entity in the Norwegian black metal scene, specifically credited alongside Strid and Burzum for pioneering the Depressive Black Metal (DSBM) subgenre. Formed in 1991, they diverged from the hyper-speed blast beats of the 'Inner Circle' to explore mid-tempo, melancholic compositions that emphasized atmosphere and emotional decay over occult aggression.
Their 1994 debut, 'As the Wolves Gather', is a landmark release that introduced a neofolk-adjacent sensibility to black metal, utilizing acoustic interludes and a distinctive 'swinging' rhythm section. The band's evolution saw them incorporate elements of avant-garde jazz and rock on later releases like 'The Curse of Mankind', further distancing them from genre purists. Their connection to the French scene via Neige (Alcest/Amesoeurs) in the 2000s cemented their legacy as a bridge between 90s nihilism and modern post-black metal. Critically, they are viewed as 'musician's musicians' within the underground, praised for their unique guitar tone and refusal to adhere to the aesthetic tropes of their contemporaries.
Shares depressive black metal, despairing, black metal, winter (signature)
Shares depressive black metal, despairing, black metal, winter (signature)
Shares depressive black metal, despairing, black metal, winter (signature)
Shares depressive black metal, despairing, avant-garde jazz, black metal (signature)
Shares black metal, winter, forest, analog_warmth (subgenre)
Shares black metal, winter, forest, screaming (subgenre)
Shares neofolk, black metal, winter, forest (subgenre)
Shares depressive black metal, despairing, black metal, screaming (signature)
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