yeah, i just don't see why Behemoth of all bands, managed to get as popular as they did. I mean, they're ok. But i think they're a bit over-hyped. its not like i think they've "sold-out" i just think they're a bit over-rated

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Shit yeah!... Shit no, No One likes shit!

They just got lucky, I suppose. Hardly any reason why you should dislike them.

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If you are a false, don't entry, or you'll be burned and died!

I know I posted here before, but I think I'm gonna change my answer. >.<

It'll have to be a tie between Behexen and Hate Forest.

I can't stand Venom, maybe some of there newer stuff.  But I would agree with most of the answers here.  Emperor were one of my early favorites, and Burzum (I don't care if people think he's a murdering racist he makes good music) Immortal is alright.  A little too cheesy if you ask me.  There earlier stuff had some awesome feeling to it.  The finnish Black Metal bands like Sargeist, Impaled Nazarene, and behexen have a great sound but they're too catchy and get old quick.  If your looking for a challenging listen try Taake (Nor) if you havne't already.  As Far Blackened death/metal. My favorites are Behemoth and Belphegor.

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And if you gaze for long into an Abyss, The Abyss gazes also into you.
Friedrich Nietzsche

Taake challenging? They have some of the most accessible riffs Ive ever heard in straight Black Metal, and the songwriting and progression is rather linear. Very easy to get into, not a bad thing at all though.

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If you are a false, don't entry, or you'll be burned and died!

If we're talking 'challenging' Black Metal here, I think 88 is really hard to like.
I think that if Ulver had released more than 2 Black Metal albums and their second Black Metal album wasn't so formulaic to raw Black Metal sound, they'd be the best or one of the best Black Metal bands. Just the way they write music now is enough of a hint that they would've been awesome had they continued with black metal.
 
...But then they wouldn't have written amazing songs like Lyckantropen VI/VII, Blinded by Blood, Hallways of Always and Shadows of the Sun.

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Challenging Black Metal is basically industrial black metal. Diapsiquir, The Axis Of Perdition (first three releases), Choronzon... all that stuff is just impossible for most to get into. It was oddly easy for me

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Last.fm: Mercenarion

Challenging eh... ok, time to pull out the big guns!
Diabolikos and Enbilulugugal

I'm pretty sure many people won't like em, but I do

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I remember having fun once, it was terrible...

Came across those guys when I was looking for similar groups to Gnaw Their Tongues. Awesome stuff if you like Blackened noise.

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Last.fm: Mercenarion

WHAT
NO
JUST NO

That album sounds fucking Nothing like raw BM aside from the production. It's absolutely TEEMING with Ideas, intricate melodies, and concepts buried under a rawer production. Get rid of that guitar tone and whatnot and you have a melodic BM album, and a damn good one at that.

Enbilulugugal is one of the easiest listens I've ever had. Very simple, straightforward music. Not challenging at all. Abrasive and challenging are two different things entirely.

Challenging listens? Kvists' For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike and Bethlehem's Dark Metal. Two albums that actually have a lot going on and, y'know, challenge you. I'd almost want to put Tjolgtjar here too but they're less "challenging" and more just "weird as fuck".

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If you are a false, don't entry, or you'll be burned and died!