Technically not a self promotion but I just found this band:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LUV4a8N8NlqOR4Jld94X1?si=a3Kf0-rHTMWJT-lIbJkXDA

What do you guys think? I like the product quality and the speed. Vocals are also nice

Tired right now, getting a few tracks done, starting my last semester and graduate. Idk, just feel stuck

Give me your thoughts and opinions please https://youtu.be/QSQn_tiLnlc

минута агонии, Addicted to Anaesthesia, Now Everything Fades, Striborg, Shining, Sterbend, Lifelover, Photophobia, Sacrimoon, Exiled From Light, Kvävning, Forgotten Tomb and The Lonely

Any recommendations would be appreciated! Looking for more underground bands, and more similar to these artists.

Anyone know of any DSBM that incorporates themes of biblical sorrow and the general forsakenness seen in a lot of the bible? I'm not necessarily looking for christian bands but that'd be fine too, more so songs using the sorrow found in the bible with certain passages or amongst certain characters as a poetic addition to the music and lyrics.

I've been working on an album but i've had trouble naming the album and coming up with a cover idea, if you have any other suggestions or ideas please let me know.

So the image i took myself isn’t much more to say about it. The title idea i had was "Ditt befriande… blir min död" which is in Swedish since i'm from Sweden. It roughly translates to "Your liberation... will be my death". I thought this could be a good name since a lot of the texts touch on my recent breakup and the loneliness and self-destructiveness that has re-entered my life since.

I've been looking to buy some CDs/vinyls online, but aside from a few listings on eBay and Amazon, I haven't had much luck... Do y’all have any recommendations for reliable websites or stores where I can find good CDs/Vinyls without them seeming sketchy?

Its Called Trauernd, German for Grieving

Wanted to ask for some of the craziest and diabolical songs you know of.

I guess some examples I consider would be like

Advent Sorrow - Pestilence Shall Come, Endless Dismal Moan - Talking Mind, Endless Dismal Moan - Death Odor

Thanks in advance!

Life Is Pain - Bloody Melancholy on Apple Music now

My playlist doesn’t consist entirely of DSBM, but all the songs are black metal

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/13zkCP97hGjXIVZp6bKI1V?si=kt4AwdIXTPWDH6tkaD_axA

E: forgot to mention, I’ve only been listening to DSBM and black metal as a whole for a year now

The Music Is Good, But Niklas Kvarforth Isn't...

Think of this not as a strict "do this to make DSBM" checklist, but more as a set of flexible guidelines to help you develop your sound and express yourself authentically.

1. Do You Play Guitar?
If not, learn it. There are tons of free tutorials online. Knowing guitar opens doors to bass as well. Virtual instruments suck for DSBM. Plus, playing guitar gives you more control over your sound.

2. Get an Audio Interface
I recommend some of the cheaper Behringer models—they're solid for beginners. Without an interface, recording will be a nightmare. If you’re not ready for that, go back to step 1 and focus on learning guitar until you're prepared.

3. Learn a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
You’ll need this to record and mix your music. Free options like Cakewalk are great, but many in metal swear by Reaper. Avoid Pro Tools—it's overpriced, and the subscription model is a waste of your time and money. Stick to one-time payment software whenever possible.

4. Study Tutorials
Check out Farvann on YouTube for DSBM-specific tutorials—they’re informative and funny. Also, watch Glenn Fricker (SMG Studio) for basic mixing skills. His aggressive style and no-nonsense advice are perfect for learning.

5. Get an Amp Simulator
If you’re not miking a physical amp, you’ll need a good amp sim plugin for your DAW. Free ones like Amplitube or the free amp sim included in Cakewalk are good starting points. But if you can record an actual amp with a mic, go for it—sometimes the imperfections add to the atmosphere.

6. Get a Microphone
Vocals can feel daunting and even confrontational, but adding them will elevate your music. A mic isn’t just for vocals—you can use it to record drums, amps, or even random sounds for atmosphere. The Behringer SL75C is the best bang for your buck. Whatever you do, don’t use your phone or webcam mic. Please.

7. Learn to Program Drums
Unless you have a drum kit and want to go through the stress of recording it properly... Or KVLT (lmfao). Drum software is your friend. MT Power Drum Kit is free and solid for simple beats, but Superior Drummer or EZ Drummer offer more advanced options. If programming feels overwhelming, start with premade MIDI packs and tweak them to fit your sound.

8. Start Writing and Experimenting
Don’t overthink it—just start writing. DSBM thrives on raw emotion, so if something resonates with you, record it. Experiment with different sounds, techniques, and layers until you find what feels right.

9. Understanding "Music Theory"
When people say "learn music theory," what they really mean is: listen to music. Pay attention to how songs are structured, the speed of the riffs, and the techniques used. Try to build an understanding of how it all fits together. This might feel like the hardest step, but it’s crucial. And remember, theory is a tool—not a rule.

Edit: Learn basic music theory like time signatures, it will help you alot in the long run. Thank you u/atheistRP for suggestion.

10. Keep It Simple
DSBM doesn’t need to be complex. Some of the most powerful tracks are simple but emotionally raw. If your music resonates with you and feels like it's expressing something real, that's enough. You’ll naturally improve over time. Never alter your sound to appeal to elitists. Fuck them.

11. Use the Right Tools, but Don’t Overthink Gear
While having decent gear helps, DSBM isn’t about pristine production. Embrace imperfections. A cheap mic or a free plugin can still create something powerful if you know how to use it.

12. Start a Journal
It’s helpful to write down your thoughts for lyrics, song names, or just to process emotions. It doesn’t have to be deep, but when dark thoughts hit, try vocalizing them on paper. This can help with both your music and your mental clarity. Challenge yourself.

13. Have Questions?
There’s a lot that’s hard to answer in a guide like this. DSBM is deeply personal, and everyone’s approach will be different. If you're stuck, ask questions below or just dive in and figure things out as you go.

Good luck, and remember: DSBM is about expressing the depths of emotion. If it feels real to you, that’s what matters most.

(Lastly, I used AI to edit this to improve its fluidity and cohesion, its still my work though.)

My favorite song is Ma’am, Your Son is Dead

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6mrvYkTMS1CKlYgGrfcvVi?si=btOZaTcyTMyyzkoTvk7t3g

Bandcamp - https://sukkubys.bandcamp.com/

I recently found this dsbm band I found and I think it's worth recommending them here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIPBFCJRiOI&t=301s&pp=ygUNcHJvamVjdCBlcnJvcg%3D%3D

This is their first album they also have an E.P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjTb4OTA47M

Some time ago, I was diagnosed with mental problems and started taking antidepressants. As time went by, life became more melancholic, I matured in pain. In this process, I was unable to cry. But now that all this is over, I've managed to cry after so long. All this to bands called "Happy Days" and "Xasthur". Just today I was thinking about resting forever, but crying listening to dsbm saved my life.

(I'm sorry if I shouldn't have posted this here, but it was the only place I thought was right to post it.)

Facts

Diamanten is an unreleased album by German industrial black metal artist XCHNUM MIIIMIIIKRY (also known as Puppengott). The album was originally scheduled to be released in spring 2021 on the US underground label JEMS. Due to the split between XCHNUM MIIIMIIIKRY and label owner Jorgé Tapia, the album was canceled and never released. The material was subsequently provided with vocal tracks by the artist Marla Van Horn in May or June 2021. After working together on the album Infinite Spiegelpuppe I - V, the follow-up Was ist vom Leben zu erwarten...? II was actually scheduled for release in August. The album still contains "difficult material", which is why the release of this album was canceled a month in advance.

Chronology

In September 2020, XCHNUM MIIIMIIIKRY released the album Wunder?. The aesthetics, experimental soundscapes and themes of this album were continued on the follow-up album Diamanten. If you compare the two albums or string them together, you will realize that a very unique story unfolds. Wunder? and Diamanten could easily be described as twin albums.

Various versions

The album took on various forms during its development phase. It was edited, rearranged or remixed at longer intervals. The tracklists of these versions are sometimes very different from one another. To date, four versions of the album are known: 1. Haram, 2. Silber Kassette, 3. Was ist vom Leben zu erwarten...? II, 4. Unbox Me.

Complications & canceled release

The Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Young Persons in Germany (BPJM) informed Jonas Kolb on May 17, 2021 about a possible indexing of the album upon release. As new vocal tracks by Marla Van Horn had just been added to the existing music (Was ist vom Leben zu erwarten...? II) and a production order for CDs had already been placed, Kolb had to suspend the release indefinitely. An oral hearing on July 22, 2021 in Bonn was waived, as Kolb had canceled the release altogether. The uncertainty combined with the ongoing professional ban during the pandemic had a negative impact on the artist's mental health, as a result of which he deactivated profiles on social networks and disappeared from the scene for several months.

Canon

Even without an official release, some key details about the final version of the album are known. The track list consists of 9 songs, some of which are known by name, as they were later changed by XCHNUM MIIIMIIIKRY and released on other albums. Despite the identical names, there are major differences between the released and unreleased versions. Some songs that never saw the light of day are Asche fressen für Diamanten, Ilse Glander (1st version), Köters gonna köt V, Das Juwel von Shiraz, Die perfekte Puppe.

Who's got it?

Although the album was never properly released, there are a few other copies in addition to the silver cassette that XCHNUM MIIIMIIIKRY owns. Three versions (Haram) were given away to good friends of Jonas Kolb between May and November 2019. His former neighbor owns digital versions of the album up to Was ist vom Leben zu erwarten...? II. A bootleg on a gold cassette was given to another friend as a birthday present in May 2023. All copies of the album were gifts. There was never a sold version. In December 2023, Jonas Kolb had an exclusive edition of four silver cassettes made with the original version of the album. These four cassettes were inserted into a special Walkman and given away to supporters of PUPPENGOTT, as Kolb wanted to stay true to his resolution not to sell the album. Three of the four cassettes were delivered in a box with a fold-out doll's head. The fourth cassette was delivered in a gift box with dried flowers and a thank you card.

Live performances

The material on the album was never performed at a public concert by XCHNUM MIIIMIIIKRY. To date, only two private performances are known where Jonas Kolb played parts of this album. The first performance took place in July or August 2020 for a single friend in Kolb's attic (The Cage Concerts) and the second in February 2023 in the Wolfenbüttel/Braunschweig correctional facility for the prisoners. Unpublished recordings of both concerts also exist.

Easter listening party 2024

There was a listening party for the album at Easter 2024. An exclusive group of three people were allowed to experience the album live for the first time in the presence of the artist at a specially designated location. As a small gift, the three listeners received a handwritten setlist, as recordings and photos were prohibited at this event. This type of event was considered a test, as PUPPENGOTT wanted to try out different formats in order to "bring the album to the stage".

Installation

On the night of November 17-18, 2021, Jonas Kolb installed a birthday artwork in his hallway for his friend and neighbor Jonathan. This installation consisted of several polystyrene heads, black balloons and a giant three-headed puppet that became known as DDD (Domesticated Doll Dragon). Hidden behind this puppet was a gift containing the extensive versions of Diamanten. Photos of this installation were later published.

Controversy

There is some controversy surrounding the album. How much of it is true remains speculative. Allegedly, some samples on the album were taken from telephone conversations in which a young woman talks to Jonas Kolb about her suicide plans. Kolb may have recorded these conversations in December 2018. This makes these audio recordings the oldest source for the album Diamanten, dating back to before the formation of XCHNUM MIIIMIIIKRY in February 2020. In the promo for Was ist vom Leben zu erwarten...? II, Kolb hinted that he (may have) also recorded his father's funeral in June 2019 with a recorder. When Kolb played a fifteen-minute version of his song Köters gonna köt at a private concert in 2020, a young woman burst into tears so much that Kolb had to end the performance prematurely. As this incident took place at one of his cage concerts, we can assume that there is also a recording of this moment. These three events and recordings are said to be reflected in the tracks of Diamanten. Allegedly, the name of the album comes from the fact that Kolb had artificial diamonds pressed from his mother's crematorium ashes. According to another source, the title is based on the fact that XCHNUM MIIIMIIIKRY recorded this album as a wedding present for a good friend and would present it at the ceremony. This is implied because an earlier version of the album had the working title Wedding Album.

Have you seen this girl before?

A nameless young woman, who can also be heard on the album, repeatedly appears in relation to Diamanten. It is assumed that this could be the recorded telephone conversations. As there are no credits or information about the creation of the album, the exact contribution of this person is unknown. The cover of Diamanten II, which was released in October 2023, features a young woman having the cassette of Diamanten ripped from her chest by centipedes. Diamanten II is an album that has several meta-layers and delves into the complicated history of its unreleased predecessor.

Puppengott Games

In addition to the well-known versions, there is also an instrumental remix of the album. This should be used as the soundtrack for a XCHNUM MIIIMIIIKRY horror game. The plot of the game is not known, but it is said to be an escape title. It is unclear if and when the game will actually be released. Some 3D models and a placeholder soundtrack have already confirmed that the game has been worked on up to a certain point. On December 8, 2023, the eponymous album Puppengott Games was released on the Finnish label Center of the Earth Records. It contains sound fragments, demos and unreleased material around Diamanten and was prepared and curated by Ishwa (the official second member of PUPPENGOTT) for this release.

A new member

In January 2024, PUPPENGOTT officially presented itself to the public as a duo for the first time. In addition to Jonas, Ishwa was now also on board. As a special debut, there was to be no album, but a small browser game on the theme of Diamanten with three small levels, music and graphics by PUPPENGOTT.

Irritum's diamond

The original album is kept by Jonas Kolb in an illuminated display case with small diamonds. In January 2024, the US musician Irritum (Interal Darkness) sent Jonas a small signed diamond, among other things. This diamond is now also part of the album display case.

Posthumous publication

A copy of Diamanten is in the Memory Of Mankind archive and can be published posthumously. MOM has developed ceramic data carriers that preserve analog texts and images for an unlimited period of time. Deep in the world's oldest active salt mine in Hallstatt, Austria, the MOM archive is protected for at least 1 million years.

Sources:

Documentary on YouTube

Wikimedia

Discogs

"Diamanten" (Game)

Does anyone know where i can buy good quality dsbm shirts? These are some of my fav bands

I've been wanting to make my own dsbm songs for quite a while now since all the bands i listen to have inspired me to do such, but i don't know where to start from at all. I play the guitar and bass, I'm definitely not a pro but i would say i play somewhat decently for someone whose been playing for just over a year. Music plays a big part in my day to day life and for as long as i remember I've always wanted to have a band of my own, so i really want to try accomplish this before it's too late for me to begin. Additionally I'd like to add that i am a bit nervous still because I'm not a man and a lot of female dsbm bands do get criticised a lot, that makes me wonder if I'm even capable of being able to achieve this since the vast majority of bands in the dsbm community are male bands. Any tips or advice would definitely be helpful and appreciated. 🫡

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/7Gv9v2IMqDwzQPhx2ZkJHS?si=pWyUtf7eQM6ORx08Yp2Aqw

Bandcamp - https://woundedmasquerade.bandcamp.com/

My girlfriend wants a lifelover hoodie or long sleeve shirt, and she said she doesn't want like some random Chinese garbage but the actual merch, as a size s - m, and she hasn't found the shirts anywhere in the right size or right type, so if anyone knows where to find them, pls help. Thank you!