56. "Wayfarer - "American Gothic"

We’ve already had native American Black Metal, so to balance that here comes the cowboy/Western-influenced black metal. America is very good at cultural appropriation. Here it is taking Black Metal and connecting it to its own folklore, namely the mythology of the Old West. 

Whilst on paper it sounds rather gimmicky, in reality, this is a highly cinematic and rather ethereal record. Yes, the Black Metal is brooding and penetrating but the Americana traces give it a uniquely haunting vibe. It has an evocative rawness that perfectly brings to mind desolate landscapes, swirling dust storms and tumbleweed.