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The frontman of Brooklyn based experimental black metal outfit Liturgy.

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Hunter recognizes that while he is establishing something that is not “European”, it is a mistake to use nationalism as an identifier for TBM. Instead, he chooses the ideologies of the American constitution, an egalitarian perspective, to form this new black metal.

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The blast beat refers to a drumming technique. It’s use of sheer aggression and speed has made it a mainstay of extreme metal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZEauqqjf-4&feature=youtu.be&t=20s&ab_channel=prioranalytics88

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Sentences like these actually found Hunter some criticism in black metal circles. Because while he’s referring to an independence from European black metal, it can also be interpreted as aesthetic disrespect to Liturgy’s predecessors, which are predominantly European.

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Black metal started in Europe, with acts like Immortal, Mayhem, Burzum, and Emperor. As such, it’s subject matter, fan base, and generally acknowledge musical masters, have been dominantly in Europe.

While the US has black metal legends like Leviathan, Xasthur, and to an extent Sunn O))), it’s own personal legacy has never really surpassed or even been held in equal standing to Europe.

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United States Black Metal
Not to be confused with NSBM.

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Hunter Hunt-Hendrix (of Liturgy) lays out the prelude to his band’s “manifesto” on the idea of Transcendental Black Metal, going over black metal’s roots and culture in relation to America and Europe.

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Hunter is not getting metaphorical when he refers to this event. “Dead” was the nickname of black metal legend Per Ohlin, the original vocalist for the band Mayhem.

Dead wound up shooting himself in the head in 1991. Fellow memeber Euronymous (who would later be murdered by fellow member Varg Vikernes in ‘93) actually had the presence of mind to photograph his suicide, which was later used as the cover for a bootleg live album called Dawn of the Black Hearts.


Hunter calling his death the birth of Hyperborean Black Metal is firstly an acknowledgement of Dead’s extremely hardcore behavior both on and off stage, including the induction of corpse paint and non-sexual necrophilia. This acknowledgement then becomes an argument that Dead’s passing made him an icon for HBM, and that his influence was so great it created the mold for that culture and sound.

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“Cirice” is the Grammy Award-winning first single off of Ghost’s third album, Meliora. Old English for “Church,” “Cirice”’s lyrics approach the listener warmly like a pastor, assuring them that they belong and they are accepted. By Satan, of course.

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