Corpsepaint, yes or no?

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Black Metal Archive - May 2008

Corpsepaint, yes or no?

May 2nd 2008 08:14

So now that I've gotten my first post out of the way, and everyone knows what this blog is and isn't about.... I thought it might be a good idea to see where you all stand on the matter of corpsepaint.

Corpsepaint is a timeless tradition in black metal, and is one of the defining characteristics of the genre in general. In many cases, bands are called black metal simply because they wear corpsepaint. But is it still needed in Black Metal? Has it outlived its usefulness in the genre? Or was it always ridiculous and partly responsible for many people not liking black metal?

There are also various styles of corpsepaint that have been used over the years. Generally, this helps identify what particular sub-genre of black metal a band might fit into, if you have not yet heard them...

So I want to know, what do you think about the use of this kind of face-painting in black metal?

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Posted By: adramyttium - Category: No Category

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Comments

14 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Morgan Bell

May 2nd 2008 13:18

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Artist Quirk

this looks like an interesting new blog!
i have a small black/death/doom/grind/goth cd collection from the mid-90s . . . i probably listened to the least hard-core bands of the genre . . . i think the only traditional "black" one i bought was gehenna but i dont remember if they used the corpse paint? i think its fairly theatrical, like the music . . . reminds me of Kiss, except the serious evil cousin!

Comment by adramyttium

May 2nd 2008 13:33

The Shadow of Death's Hand
Black Metal Archive

Ah Gehenna, there've actually been a number of bands called Gehenna in the past, but the only one that is still active is the one from Norway, and they do use a type of "corpsepaint" but their's is more along a gothy style than a black metal style. They have used a more traditional style corpsepaint in the past, but have since moved toward the more gothy look, as many bands do these days. Thank you very much for your comment and your input!

Comment by Morgan Bell

May 2nd 2008 14:48

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yeah its the Norway one, ive got "Seen Through The Veils of Darkness"

im kind of a fringe-dweller of the genre, i used to get all the metal mags and a few zines but was more interested in Amorphis and Paradise Lost and Carcass

hey was Cradle of Filth corpsepaint?

Comment by adramyttium

May 2nd 2008 20:27

The Shadow of Death's Hand
Black Metal Archive

For the very very beginning of their career they wore a type of corpsepaint, didn't last long though. Can't say I ever liked Cradle of Filth, to be honest with you. I'm more into the raw, aggressive type of black metal. Ever heard of Craft, Watain, Carpathian Forest, or Glorior Belli?

Comment by Dea

May 4th 2008 05:12

Love Crisis
Mystic Metal

Nice to see some more metal here!
I am all for corpse paint!
But only if they do it right, as some just look like absolute trash.
It does cover up some ugly mugs though! haha..
Live bands require presence and corpse paint can really add to the overall theatrical effect.
So that's a hell yeah from me!

Comment by adramyttium

May 4th 2008 16:09

The Shadow of Death's Hand
Black Metal Archive

Hell yeah! what kind do you prefer? Honestly, i prefer it to look raw and sloppy as hell, just gives a more grim and aggressive look. Some of the more artistic styles can be ok, but i mostly find them to be a bit too artistic. But thats just my opinion on it. Whats yours?

Comment by Morgan Bell

May 8th 2008 06:58

Science News
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Artist Quirk

no, but thanks for giving me some names to google!
im sure i will back to this blog to check out all the latest (im obviously a little out of touch! haha)

Comment by Dea

May 8th 2008 08:35

Love Crisis
Mystic Metal

Not the style of Kiss.. obviously.. it's lame-o.. but perhaps things along the lines of Darkthrone.. I don't really like it too messy, I like it neat but not poser! Is hard to write what my minds eye is creating! The look of absolute maggot made carnage plagued with perfection! haha..
It's basically got to blend well with the clothing too..

Comment by adramyttium

June 23rd 2008 13:38

The Shadow of Death's Hand
Black Metal Archive

Yeah... A lot of people seem to like the neat looking corpsepaint. Some bands can pull it off too... As for me, i stick to teh mess. The first picture up there is actually one of me in corpsepaint... so if that gives you any idea of how I do mine.

Oh yeah... and my avitar here, thats me in corpsepaint too.

Comment by betray the oracle

March 24th 2009 03:23

The Anatomy Of Grey

Nice corpse paint job. Good bracelets too. Those are illegal in Australia though. I personaly think corpse paint for black metal is more of a tradition thing. It's for the few and not so much for all the bands/fans.

Comment by Anonymous

June 4th 2009 13:05

I just search internet trying to find funny black metal pictures, dont get me wrong i listen to black metal, or better to say i listened, and corpse painting in mine opinion is useless. It is tradition and old school black metalheads respect that but its tradition nothing more at least for me. When you see people trying to be corpses and waring fake blood, and some silly wooden things with spikes, in their hands, trying to be grim. Maybe i just dont understand it, but because of this things no one is taking Black Metal serious and that is sad, and most of people sooner or later find it more silly than it shoud be. I respect most of all people who are not putting much in their "grim" look.

No offense, nothing personal, just mine opinion.

Cheers!

Comment by Anonymous

June 15th 2009 14:59

Yeah, I got into black metal a year or so ago (27), started out just adding the usual band t-shirts to my usual all black clothing. Over the course of a year or so I switched my appearance to full black metal gear every day - leather pants, bullet belt, band t-shirt, spiked collar, satanic rosary and (when not working) corpse paint. Full Norwegian black metal is a life not just a music choice.

Comment by Nocturnal Monstrocity

August 16th 2009 10:53

I'm an avid fan of the true original Norwegian black metal genre and subsequently completely support the use of corpse paint till ragnarok. I don't agree that one can simply say it is merely tradition for the entirety of this world is constructed upon tradition, tradition is everything. For me the use of corpse paint is a definitive aspect of TNBM and if it were to be forgotten black metal would be lost in the myriad of other metal genres. The corpse paint represents much more than looking grim, it is to deter the weak conformists and attract the obscure and ostracised, basically a barrier to those unwilling to commit their lives to the genre. Just as the ancient Picts wore their woad, TNBM followers wear corpse paint, it is the history and personality of black metal and can never be removed. Adramyttium I respect you, never let it die!! As for the style I also prefer the random messy sort with a basic structure, if you follow? Gives the darkest look and says: fuck all you ignorant bastards! haha. Keep it up dude, what are you favourite bands btw, both for music and corpse paint?

Comment by Dea

August 17th 2009 08:18

Love Crisis
Mystic Metal

I love the passion you possess Nocturnal Monstrocity! You should place a black metal drenched pic of your own up on your profile.

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