Art Should Comfort The Disturbed: A Brief Overview of Depressive Suicidal Black Metal (DSBM)

Depressive Suicidal Black Metal, known as also Depressive Black Metal or DSBM, is a niche subgenre that falls under the hegemony of the more widely known black metal genre. The primary characteristics and defining attributes of this genre can be arrayed as shrieking voices, distorted vocals and instruments, and atmospheric ambiences. The main goal of the songs and artists in this genre is to portray rather, as in its name, depressive and suicidal undertones such as despair, suffering and pain, suicidal and self-harm opted lyrics, loneliness, and misanthropy. Not being a real beginner-friendly and easy-to-consume genre compared to that of pop or rap music, DSBM is still favoured by many fans around the globe especially in countries such as Turkiye, Poland, Finland, Brazil, United States, Chile, and many others—as the data from Spotify predominantly forwards us to these countries.

Historically, its predecessors Swedish/Norwegian Black Metal and Doom Metal have contributed greatly to this genre, the main source of inspiration behind the creation of this genre and still a focal point for present-day DSBM artists. For many, End of Life (1993) by Strid marks the emergence of Depressive Suicidal Black Metal and a new subjective inlet into the deepest and loneliest chambers of one’s self through the employment of music. After the release of End of Life by Strid, we can infer a strong shift to this stratum by other metal artists and groups such as Abyssic Hate, I Shalt Become, and Silencer (who is a very controversial figure in the DSBM and, in general, metal scene). While Xasthur and Leviathan, who are both one-man bands, attempted to push forward the genre into the mainstream black metal discussions, Forgotten Tomb, Mütiilation, and Nocturnal Depression bestowed the genre its officiality. In the late 2010s and 2020s, the genre has become much more popular and acknowledged—as Decalius, who is a one-man band from Brazil, has, as of September 10, 2024, has more than 220,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. The other primary faces of DSBM are Psychonaut 4 (90,000+ listeners), Lifelover (140,000+ listeners), Apati (42,000+ listeners), Happy Days (40,000+ listeners) and Brazil’s Thy Light with more than 30,000 monthly listeners. 

Although for most people, the mentioning of self-harm or self-mutilation, suicide, and death are not easy to handle, and constantly hearing that through music is another thing, there is a relatively small compartment of avid metal fans that find DSBM fulfilling, spirit-lifting, and catharsis inducing from listening to this it. The reason for that being is that DSBM listeners, at least some portion of them, are already depressed, suicidal, and lonely people. In a sense, whenever they are consuming a song from Make a Change… Kill Yourself or Totalselfhatred they are facing with their perceived reality; they are where they are supposed to be, and the place they seek shelter from the façade reality is where this genre comes into the scene. Moreover, most of the songs in this genre are lengthy, repetitive, sometimes monotonous, and emotional. From an unpopular perspective, all of these aforementioned traits could as well be symbols or representations of real life: its extent, tediousness, reiteration, and suffering that comes along with being a conscious life form. Since most people listen to the kind of music that matches their overall personality, hobbies, or lifestyles, the music that belongs in the DSBM genre likewise attracts people with suitable personality or thinking patterns like a moth to a flame—the connection between the medium and the receiver is the sum of the musical communication. From an outsiders’s point of view, with no or very few relatable or attachable communications lines, the exhilaration can be observed in words such as preposterous, counterintuitive, or implausible. However, as previously mentioned, the genre’s attraction to a specific kind of listeners and enjoyers can be inferred from the logical reasoning that is being understood, not only by people around you but also by whichever sort of art form you are attuned to, is the main harness that holds people in a strong binding. 

The sentimental value in the DSBM genre is brought up into the scope by the employment of human screams and lengthy crying sessions, which can be caused by (1) self-inflicted physical injury, (2) emotional suffering, or (3) both. The representational values of this genre, more often than not, are not only present in the lyrics and songs, but also in album/song covers and titles as well as the general aesthetics adopted by artists and bands.

In order to garner more understanding and to reflect upon this genre, you may check these albums out, but proceed at your own discretion!

Begotten – If All You Have Known Is Winter

Beyond Melancholy – The Pleasure of Suicide…

Gris - Il était une forêt

Leviathan – The Tenth Sub Level of Suicide

Lichtblick – Abkehr

Lifeless – Anhedonia

Make a Change… Kill Yourself – Make a Change… Kill Yourself

Psychonaut 4 – Beautyfall

Xathrites – Hope is a Mental Illness