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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: FretMuppet on August 03, 2011, 12:36:07 PM

Title: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: FretMuppet on August 03, 2011, 12:36:07 PM
Hey I was wondering if you guys could recommend me some good dark albums for me. I've been reaching many musical dead-ends recently and I just can't find any new artists to get into. I was searching for some good night-time music, full of emotion and all that. Something along the lines of...

Fear of a Blank Planet
Blackfield II
f#a#(infinity)
The Wall
Insurgentes

Or songs along the lines of...
A Change of Seasons
These Walls
Fiction (A7X)
In The Name of God
Music for a Nurse
Lost Without You (JP)

I hope you get what sort of stuff I'm looking for. A bit of metal, atmosphere, beauty, clean, dark stuff  :P preferably no growls

Gosh I'm so demanding :sadpanda:
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: zxlkho on August 03, 2011, 12:38:16 PM
more Godspeed You! Black Emperor

or maybe something like Agalloch if you like heavier stuff.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: TimmyHiggy on August 03, 2011, 12:38:58 PM
Dark and atmospheric eh? Have you heard "Ki" by Devin Townsend Project?
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Ħ on August 03, 2011, 01:26:09 PM
Ghost Reveries (Opeth) - The most dark/atmospheric album that I know of.

Continuum II (Bass Communion) - Drone/doomish.  Very good.

Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: sonatafanica on August 03, 2011, 01:31:20 PM
abruptum - obscuritatem advoco amplectere me


they used to release albums with razor blades in the packaging and a note saying that if you didn't like the music you were a pussy and should kill yourself
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: lateralus88 on August 03, 2011, 01:31:47 PM
Ghost Reveries (Opeth) - The most dark/atmospheric album that I know of.
Atmospheric is the last word I would use for Ghost Reveries. It definitely applies for Opeth's first three albums however. Especially Morningrise if you want something DARK.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Ħ on August 03, 2011, 01:33:04 PM
Ghost Reveries (Opeth) - The most dark/atmospheric album that I know of.
Atmospheric is the last word I would use for Ghost Reveries. It definitely applies for Opeth's first three albums however. Especially Morningrise if you want something DARK.
Maybe I just don't get the word "atmospheric"?  When I think of "atmospheric", I think of music that just surrounds you and immerses you into itself.  Which is basically what GR does.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Iarwain on August 03, 2011, 01:48:58 PM
Jesu - Heart Ache. It's something in between shoegaze, drone and post-rock. Not very dark, but it has a nice atmosphere.

The Angelic Process - Weighing Souls With Sand. Dark and atmospheric, and really heavy. Like a more metal version of Jesu.

Om - God is Good. Rock, I guess. Distorted bass and tribal-ish drumming. Very relaxing, in an odd way.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Gorille85 on August 03, 2011, 02:22:18 PM
Ulver is the best band for that description. Also, GR is far from atmospheric. :lol
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Ravenheart on August 03, 2011, 02:24:40 PM
I made a nighttime music thread awhile back. You might find that a few of these are worth your time:

Ulver - Perdition City
Sarah Fimm - Nexus
Type O Negative - October Rust
Portishead - Dummy
Joy Division - Closer
The Smashing Pumpkins - Adore
Depeche Mode - Black Celebration
Porcupine Tree - Signify
Chiasm - Relapse
Alice in Chains - Jar of Flies

If not, you can punch me in the face.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Kosmo on August 03, 2011, 02:36:41 PM
PERDITION CITY!
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Psy on August 03, 2011, 03:05:01 PM
Here are albums I consider to be nighttime listening.

Trentemoller - The Last Resort
Not at all metal, more ambient then anything. It's very hard to describe. Just give it a listen.

Riverside - Out of Myself
Rock/Metal, in vein of Porcupine Tree. Very relaxing and has a good balance between soft/METULH parts.

Ayreon - The Human Equation
This has everything. A real emotional rollercoaster! :P



Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: contest_sanity on August 03, 2011, 03:15:07 PM
Queensryche - Promised Land

Always used to sleep to this album in high school.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on August 03, 2011, 03:18:25 PM
Kayo Dot - Choirs of the Eye
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Zantera on August 03, 2011, 03:30:49 PM
Perdition City by Ulver. ;)
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Gorille85 on August 03, 2011, 03:32:07 PM
I find Shadows of the Sun even more dark than Perdition City, but maybe that's just me.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: FiberglassMoon on August 03, 2011, 03:49:36 PM
Immediately thought of The Mantle by Agalloch
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: emtee on August 03, 2011, 05:00:53 PM
Katatonia - Night Is The New Day.


I promise you'll like it :)
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: SystematicThought on August 03, 2011, 05:08:43 PM
I came into this thread thinking any of the Burzum prison albums for some rather dark material.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: orcus116 on August 03, 2011, 05:13:48 PM
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
Teargas and Plateglass - Black Triage
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: sonatafanica on August 03, 2011, 05:14:38 PM
phil collins - no jacket required
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Gorille85 on August 03, 2011, 05:14:59 PM
Massive Attack - Mezzanine

Good pick! :tup
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Zook on August 03, 2011, 05:16:09 PM
Would one describe Light Of Day, Day of Darkness atmospheric?
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Ħ on August 03, 2011, 05:23:47 PM
The suggestions for Perdition City and Mezzanine are spot-on.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: sonatafanica on August 03, 2011, 05:25:26 PM
Would one describe Light Of Day, Day of Darkness atmospheric?

an atmosphere of boredom, sure
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Pirate on August 03, 2011, 05:39:41 PM
Midnight Radio - Bohren and der Club of Gore
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Gorille85 on August 03, 2011, 05:51:15 PM
Would one describe Light Of Day, Day of Darkness atmospheric?

an atmosphere of boredom, sure

I like that song!
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: mizzl on August 03, 2011, 06:08:11 PM
Ulver - Perdition City
Porcupine Tree - Signify
Alice in Chains - Jar of Flies
This
This
This
This

So much win.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Sigz on August 03, 2011, 06:24:41 PM
The Angelic Process - Weighing Souls With Sand. Dark and atmospheric, and really heavy. Like a more metal version of Jesu.

I love you.



Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Zook on August 03, 2011, 06:30:19 PM
Would one describe Light Of Day, Day of Darkness atmospheric?

an atmosphere of boredom, sure

Do you like anything good?
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Gorille85 on August 03, 2011, 06:36:07 PM
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: zxlkho on August 03, 2011, 06:37:18 PM
:facepalm:
:facepalm:
:facepalm:
:facepalm:
:facepalm:
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: ClairvoyantCat on August 03, 2011, 06:38:19 PM
Do you like anything good?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_cSnpoKMMk
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Zook on August 03, 2011, 07:04:31 PM
Oh look, it's the DTF Rat Pack.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Gorille85 on August 03, 2011, 07:09:23 PM
 :tup
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: ClairvoyantCat on August 03, 2011, 07:10:07 PM
Oh look, it's the DTF Rat Pack.

 :yarr
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Zook on August 03, 2011, 07:15:36 PM
Actually, you guys are more like the NWO Wolf Pack.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Quadrochosis on August 03, 2011, 07:27:59 PM
(https://www.wolfepackonline.com/wp-content/uploads/21_19_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Dark Castle on August 03, 2011, 08:43:46 PM
If you were okay with growls I'd have a ton for you, but... :\
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: The King in Crimson on August 03, 2011, 09:12:26 PM
Agalloch is the very definition of dark and atmospheric. They're also fucking amazing.

Alcest also fits the bill. Both have growls, unfortunately. Agalloch has more 'tortured whispers' but whatever.

Listen to Tiamat's album, Wildhoney. Again, it has some growls, but a lot of the singing is clean.

Opeth's Blackwater Park and Still Life have a veritable shit-ton of atmosphere, but, once again, lots of growls
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: FiberglassMoon on August 03, 2011, 09:25:22 PM
Try Riverside's Second Life Syndrome or Mariusz Duda's solo project Lunatic Soul.

Also, you may want to check out Neun Welten....They're a "dark folk" group....mainly do acoustic stuff but I thoroughly enjoy it.

But still, The King in Crimson is right...if u can get past Agalloch's growls, it's just what you are looking for.

I've always loved John Haughm's description in this interview of how Pale Folklore was made to sound and feel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgO2wXnozUk at 6:00

Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Dark Castle on August 03, 2011, 09:27:38 PM
Eh fuck it, I'll recommend one, as its not really growling so much as awesome wailing.
Indian - Guiltless
Its very dark, very atmospheric and scary as hell.  Great album.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: ? on August 04, 2011, 12:40:45 AM
Katatonia - Night Is The New Day.


I promise you'll like it :)
This. All Katatonia albums are dark and rather atmospheric. The first 2 feature growls, but the rest of their stuff doesn't. I'd say Discouraged Ones is their most depressing and atmospheric album.

Anathema is VERY atmospheric and often dark. Their first 2 albums also include harsh vocals and the latest one is quite positive but you could like the albums between those. Alternative 4 and Judgement are good albums to start with.

Dunno if Paradise Lost's music can be called atmospheric but it's dark nevertheless.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: FretMuppet on August 04, 2011, 01:49:05 AM
Good stuff, I suppose its about time I got into growling then :P I will check all of these guys out
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Dark Castle on August 04, 2011, 01:53:06 AM
Radularness, if you find you're okay with growling, Cough is a VERY good band as well.   :tup
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Arnold Layne on August 04, 2011, 01:55:20 AM
Depends how dark and how atmospheric.  If you want to avoid growls you could go with Opeth's clean vocal Damnation album, which is very cool.

Other suggestions:-

Ki - Devin Townsend Project - I totally agree with an earlier poster on this
Marillion - Brave  (just skip through Paper Lies - the rest is brilliant)
Pink Floyd - Meddle (if you want old skool)
Anathema - Judgement or We're Here Because We're Here
Riverside - Second Life Syndrome (it's mesmerising)
I don't know Ulver's older stuff, but The Wars of the Roses is pretty atmospheric
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: OskarSluring on August 04, 2011, 04:40:30 AM
Anathema - Judgement or We're Here Because We're Here
This isn't dark, it's the opposite of dark.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Nekov on August 04, 2011, 07:03:45 AM
Lustmord - Heresy
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: ? on August 04, 2011, 10:51:43 AM
Anathema - Judgement or We're Here Because We're Here
This isn't dark, it's the opposite of dark.
Yeah, as I mentioned, WHBWH is FAR from dark. Judgement is quite melancholic and dark, though.
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: FretMuppet on August 04, 2011, 10:59:04 AM
Yeah Judgement is pretty gloomy and nice, WHBWH is like the opposite lol  :biggrin: still amazing albums.
The recommendations are awesome so far :P Do you guys know any dark but uplifting and beautiful albums too?
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Arnold Layne on August 05, 2011, 06:55:45 AM
Anathema - Judgement or We're Here Because We're Here
This isn't dark, it's the opposite of dark.

I don't disagree, but I was trying to give examples of dark and/or atmospheric rather than both together, cos I wasn't sure exactly what FretMuppet was after. 
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: FretMuppet on August 05, 2011, 12:18:57 PM
Anathema - Judgement or We're Here Because We're Here
This isn't dark, it's the opposite of dark.

I don't disagree, but I was trying to give examples of dark and/or atmospheric rather than both together, cos I wasn't sure exactly what FretMuppet was after. 

Still awesome albums either way!  ;)
Title: Re: Know any good Dark/Atmospheric albums?
Post by: Liberation on August 05, 2011, 12:42:53 PM
Hello,

Katatonia and Riverside were already mentioned in this thread, and can definitely agree. Katatonia has a pretty varied discography, but personally I find The Great Cold Distance and Tonight's Decision to be their best - TGCD sounds quite modern and is probably their heaviest, while TD is more "open" and maybe slightly less consistent, but amazing nonetheless. Another option is Viva Emptiness which is probably their catchiest and most accessible, though Night is The New Day is also excellent (but it's not as dark as their other albums). Riverside, on the other hand, has 4 perfect albums, but if you're looking for dark and atmospheric - totally Rapid Eye Movement. It's their most consistent and has an incredibly thick atmosphere.

In the prog direction, I can also recommend a fairly young Polish band called Votum, especially the second album called Metafiction. It was a great surprise for me and it's really an amazing album. I'd say it has some slight Riverside and maybe Marillion inspiration, but... well anyway, I think it's worth trying the opening song, called Falling Dream, which represents the album fairly well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi2XH1G2x6Y

Finally, in extreme metal, Moonspell is amazing. There are both growls and clean (though fairly low, baritone) vocals, and their discography is quite varied, but as the starting point I'd recommend the album Antidote.