Black Ambient is a musickal forma and direction that is at oft times most difficult to define, a job made harder by those that would profess to be a part of this particular milieu associated by the sparsest of characteristics.

In general, it can be said that Black Ambient has some association with both, although not limited to, the Dark Ambient and the Black Metal genres. Dark Ambient is referred here as a limitation however, given that many, if not most, of the artists that perform in this style, are limited by a sense of idyllic romanticism and nostalgia which is not overtly otherwise evident within Black Ambient. The Black Metal associations, while some would prefer them to be overt, are merely more so along the lines that there is some brethren spirit and ethos therein, present in some of the occurring and prevalent themas, artwork, and imagery (provided that such is presented regardless). It is not uncommon however for the scenario to occur of Black Ambient artists having no involvement whatsoever in the Black Metal scene, though there are of course numerous examples where this is the case. Dark ambient is a subgenre of ambient music which emerged in the 1980s and 1990s with the introduction of new synthesizer and sampling technology in the electronic music genre and other technical advances in music. ... This article is about the musical genre. ... This article is about the musical genre. ... This article is about the musical genre. ...

Black Ambient is by many of its adherents consciously presented as infused with magickal auras. The design herein being that musick (and the “k” being a sign of this magickal association) is not there for the myopic state of being merely entertainment, but a means via which the consciousness of the individual may be effected into an alchemical transformation to achieve certain goals. Some artists publicly profess that they seek to create and further a catalytic change, and wish to inspire people to perform acts of an occult and practical nature. Some artists do present within their works currents that can be defined broadly as being Sinister and Satanic, although much the same as Black Metal these days, the actual conviction of some is to be questioned at the best of times, especially when the ever prevalent banality of LaVey-in “Satanism” is provided as inspiration. Magick is an alternate spelling of magic, coined by Aleister Crowley to differentiate the true science of the Magi from all its counterfeits. In the broadest sense, magick is any act designed to cause intentional change -- for example, changing the channel on your television set. ... This article is about the musical genre. ... Anton Szandor LaVey Anton Szandor LaVey (born Howard Stanton Levey, 11 April 1930 – 29 October 1997), was the founder and High Priest of the Church of Satan, author of The Satanic Bible, founder of the philosophy known as LaVeyan Satanism. ...

Black Ambient releases are characteristically produced with a heavy and foreboding atmosphere, and at best they may sound to the listener at times chaotic and unformed, though such should be understood as often the intent, consciously fused or not, by the artists. Broadly, Black Ambient can also be considered as being a form of anti-music. Generally also the packaging of Black Ambient releases is, with some parallel to that of Black Metal, meagre and dark, and often are handmade by the artists themselves in limited edition. It is also not unheard of for a release to be numbered as being of a certain amount produced, with a far lesser amount actually being created (i.e. a certain project has mentioned that one of their releases was to be of an edition of 150 copies, however only 40 were actually distributed). This article is about the musical genre. ...

Musickally, Black Ambient is limitless and formless, that meaning that it can technically be anything and everything from freeform evocations of chaos, to industrialized rhythms and anything and all between. It can employ instruments as necessary – bass, guitars, drums, keyboards – and can even utilize vocals and lyrics. It can, on the other hand, use nothing more than atmospheric sounds or individual creative methodologies. The main characteristic is a heavy and foreboding atmosphere, a heaving and deep distortion and dark remorseless ambiance. The direction and inspiration here is not that of the personal and despondent of Dark Ambient, but the chaotic magickian evincing and presencing the Abyss, the Dark Gods and indeed the Earth Bound Messenger whenever possible via whatever means necessary. Magic (also called magick to distinguish it from stage magic) is a supposed way of influencing the world through supernatural, mystical, or paranormal means. ...

Examples of some projects of this genre are:

References

1. F28 BAP 2007