Though they hail from The Netherlands, Carach Angren deliver their unique brand of symphonic black metal in multiple languages including French, English, German, and Dutch. The use of these multiple tongues allows the band to more authentically tell the complex stories of their trademark concept albums.

The name Carach Angren means “iron jaws” in the Elvish language of Sindarin, and is the name of a fortified pass into North-Western Mordor in The Lord of the Rings novels. The band consists of only three full time members, but often boasts 8 or more musicians in its touring lineup.

This week’s Black Metal Friday track is taken from Carach Angren’s third full-length studio album, 2012’s Where the Corpses Sink Forever.

Vreid is the Norwegian word for “wrath,” which makes it a fitting moniker for the band of the same name. Hailing from Sogndal in Norway, Vreid was born out of the ashes of the band Windir.

In January of 2004, Windir leader Valfar (Terje Bakken) was caught in a sudden snowstorm and died of hypothermia at the age of 25. The remaining members of the band decided to carry on under a different name, but retained Windir’s brand of black and roll steeped in Norwegian folklore.

To date, Vreid has released seven records. This week’s Black Metal Friday featured song is the title track of their third album, the 2007 masterpiece I Krig. Check out this video of Vried performing “I Krig” live in 2010 from the DVD Vreid Goddammit.

This week’s edition of Black Metal Friday is a tribute to our friends Belphegor for carrying the torch of black metal in the face of religious zealotry. You see, while on tour in Russia recently, Belphegor frontman Helmuth was accosted by a fanatic from the Russian Orthodox Church who spat in his face and attempted to incite a physical confrontation. You can see the complete video of the incident here below.

Helmuth responded by returning the favor, spitting back in the lunatic’s face. However, much to the Austrian singer/guitarist’s credit, he turned and began to walk away from the attacker, taking the higher road and probably averting an international incident and possible imprisonment.

Against Human Plague, or A.H.P. as it is more commonly referred to, is a one-man black metal project out of the hotbed of Bergen, Norway. The man behind the music is known simply as Gulnar. He began making music as A.H.P. in 2011 and released a highly sought after demo in 2012. On February 21, 2016, A.H.P.’s debut full-length album was released by the Via Nocturna label. The ten-song offering, which is simply titled Against Human Plague, veers between ethereal and foreboding ambient passages and out and out misanthropic black metal.

This week’s featured Black Metal Friday track is “Drowned,” which is the ninth track on Against Human Plague.

Archgoat hails from Finland and has been active on and off since 1989. However, due to a dispute with their original record company, they went on a hiatus from 1993 to 2006. The band’s debut album, Whore of Bethlehem, was finally released in 2006. To date, Archgoat has only managed to release three full-length albums, but each one has taken its place among the favorites of many black metal fans and critics alike.

Today’s Black Metal Friday selection is the title track from Archgoat’s second album, 2009’s The Light Devouring Darkness. Horns up for Finland’s finest.