How Satyricon created black metal’s answer to Back In Black
Satyricon set out to write a direct, memorable black metal song with the scale of AC/DC’s “Back In Black”, and created “King”. The track became a defining anthem for the Norwegian band, showing how black metal could pair an accessible, forceful song structure with its dark sound.
The article traces the song’s creation and the band’s aim to make something that would work immediately with an audience. It presents “King” as a shift towards a more direct approach, while retaining Satyricon’s identity and intensity.
In short
- Satyricon aimed for black metal’s answer to “Back In Black”.
- “King” became one of the band’s defining anthems.
- The song joined direct songwriting with a dark sound.
Explained simply
Satyricon are a Norwegian band associated with black metal, a style of heavy music known for distorted guitars, dark themes and intense vocals. The genre developed in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly in Norway, where bands built a distinctive sound and identity.
AC/DC’s “Back In Black” is a widely recognised hard rock song, known for its direct structure and memorable riff. Satyricon looked to that kind of immediate impact when writing “King”, while keeping the darker sound associated with their band.
The song is often seen as a turning point in how directly Satyricon could connect with an audience. Its approach also reflects a broader question in heavy music: how bands can make songs accessible without losing the qualities that define their style.