http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_metal

might help clear a little bit up...

King Diamond is always first to pop into my head when i think black metal

Illnath is a good black metal band, you probably have never heard of them, but thats because there from some European country.

hah, most black metal bands are from "some European country"

Didn't clear it up so much. All I got was its based off of heavy metal and claissical music which sounds cool. But then it said it uses Satanic Imagery, which I usually see as a sign of immaturity. Like "lets do something that will offend people AWESOME."

Lame. But Metal and classical, reminds me of Randy Rhodes who, for as much as everyone blows hendrix or clapton, was the best guitarist ever.

it's closely related to thrash and death metal... it often has a symphonic element to it, at least through keyboards. vocals are more likely than not screamed (as opposed to growling and whatnot). if you became more familiar with it, i suppose it would be easier to pick out from, say, a death metal band. sorry, but i'm really not good at explaining things that i hear...

black metal was basically founded on satanic imagery/lyrics, but not so much that they worship the devil, but their loathing of Christianity.

yea, i like masterplan and symphony x if that counts as black metal.

Black Metal
 

=3 Anyone know some really good black metal?

Dimmu Borgir is not black metal.

But yeah. I'm more into Darkthrone and **** like that.

Gorgoroth, Opeth, Satyricon, Burzum, and a bunch more. yes, Borgir are black metal.

nope. not black metal. they are lame. rest of the list is good.