“National Socialist Black Metal:” A case study in the longevity of far-right ideologies in heavy metal subcultures

‘National Socialist Black Metal’ (NSBM) emerged in the early 1990s as a subsidiary genre of the broader black metal movement. NSBM is distinguished by its thematic content, which promotes Aryan superiority, anti-globalization, and pagan spirituality. This paper explores the history of the early NSBM movement through an analysis of the bands Graveland (Poland) and Absurd (Germany), who have both played vital roles in the establishment of the NSBM genre. The author highlights the current state of National Socialist ideology within metal subcultures and concludes with observations about the future of far-right extremism within heavy metal.