Black Metal is the extreme genre that combines aggressive guitar riffs, blast beat drumming, and shrieking vocals, creating a dark and intense sound. Emerging in the early 1980s, it was pioneered by bands like Venom, Bathory, and Mayhem, who brought a raw, anti-establishment attitude to metal. Black metal's dark themes and atmospheric elements make it a distinctive and often controversial genre. Today, it remains a potent force in the metal scene, with bands like Behemoth and Watain continuing to push its boundaries and explore its shadowy, powerful soundscapes.