Xasthur is an American black metal project formed in California in 1995 by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Malefic (Scott Conner). Widely regarded as one of the defining acts of depressive suicidal black metal, Xasthur became known for its suffocating atmosphere, lo-fi production, hypnotic repetition, and themes of despair, isolation, and existential collapse.
Operating primarily as a one-man project for much of its history, Xasthur helped shape the sound and aesthetic of atmospheric and depressive black metal throughout the 2000s.
Xasthur’s music combines raw black metal riffing, ambient textures, distant shrieked vocals, and heavily layered atmospheric production. The project is particularly recognised for creating deeply immersive and emotionally oppressive soundscapes rooted in loneliness and psychological darkness.
Over time, Xasthur evolved stylistically, incorporating acoustic dark folk and gothic Americana influences while maintaining its bleak emotional core.
Nocturnal Poisoning (2002) – influential early album establishing the project’s raw depressive black metal atmosphere.
The Funeral of Being (2003) – landmark DSBM release featuring dense ambient layering and hypnotic bleakness.
Telepathic with the Deceased (2004) – widely acclaimed album regarded as one of the defining works of atmospheric depressive black metal.
To Violate the Oblivious (2004) – more expansive and atmospheric release balancing raw aggression with immersive ambience.
Subliminal Genocide (2006) – emotionally devastating and highly atmospheric double album pushing the project’s depressive extremity further.
All Reflections Drained (2009) – darker and more experimental release incorporating stronger ambient and doom influences.
Portal of Sorrow (2010) – final major black metal-era release before the project transitioned toward acoustic and dark folk directions.
Inevitably Dark (2023) – modern-era release blending dark folk atmosphere with the bleak emotional identity central to the project.
Xasthur is considered one of the most influential depressive black metal projects of all time, helping define the atmospheric and emotional aesthetics of DSBM and underground ambient black metal.
Fans of artists such as Leviathan, Shining, and Nachtmystium are likely to appreciate the project’s immersive darkness and emotionally oppressive atmosphere.
All Xasthur releases we carry are official physical formats only, focusing on vinyl and CD editions sourced from authorised labels and distributors.
We also stock official Xasthur clothing, representing one of the defining names in depressive black metal.
Xasthur are part of the US Black Metal scene, so if you fancy exploring more like-minded artists, have a look through our BLACK METAL CATEGORY. You might also like to read our blog on the different subgenres of Metal \m/
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