Pure expression is one of the most important things in black metal, and sometimes artists choose to combine it with a mysterious veil to emphasize even more their energy and creativity. Although corpse paint makeup has always been primarily associated with the genre and carries its immense value to this day, there is no denying that the introduction of masks as a means of self-expression for bands also sometimes turns out to be an interesting touch.
An alter ego or simply a way to disguise one’s real identity, they add a dose of mystery and specific nuance to their identity.
In this material of the series, we will look at the first part of the musicians who choose to hide their faces and go out into the world with mysterious masks – some of which are truly breathtaking.

1. The experimental Australian death/black metal band PORTAL.

Aussies don’t just use masks, they create whole new persona in which they reincarnate themselves, and this is exactly what makes them one of the most extravagant groups in this regard.
Their costumes and masks are designed to resemble executioners’ attire, with the exception of vocalist The Curator’s appearance, who, in addition to his robes, usually wears creative masks or hats to match the theme of each individual album.

As a clock mask, for example…

Or a dark royal ghost vision…

The idea for these costumes was developed by The Curator and Horror Illogium, who were inspired by the fashion of the 1920s and the images created by the actor Lon Chaney Sr. in several of his roles from the silent film era. They are, according to Horror Illogium, the ideal figures that the group would like to portray.
The band’s lead guitarist, Horror Illogium, also notes: „anonymity has never been the modus operandi. It’s the feeling we’re subjected to, they [costumes and stage names] serve as vessels for our escape“.
In an interview with underground site Deaf Sparrow, PORTAL are interviewed entirely while  in character, with the journalist addressing them based on their anonymous personas.

2.Tunisian black metal band AYYUR.

The duo uses traditional ancient masks not so much to conceal their identities (the two members are dinosaurs , well known to the fans – I’m sure you’ve all heard of the original vocalist of Deathspell Omega, for example), but in homage to the ancient mysticism, which is an invariable part of the group’s concept.
The masks used are traditional Carthaginian masks that were used in the past to perform various rituals.
They are found as artefacts only in Tunis on the territory of Punic Carthage, which after its fall by the Romans was forbidden to build on, and the place was sprinkled with salt and declared cursed before the adoption of the Lex Rubria.
This type of mask has been found in several series and varieties over the years, with those of AYYUR being precisely that deviant type that does not fall into the classic three-in-a-row series found, but rather those individual artifacts that never got categorized. Which in turn brings a new message to fans of the band’s music – AYYUR are something atypical and very rare.

3.The Swiss atmospheric black metal band  AARA.

Although Switzerland has a rich history when it comes to the making and use of masks, the musicians choose a look in a different direction, away from the traditional – long robes and exquisite Venetian masks that are a symbol of both anonymity and freedom to express yourself. This is a  mysterious aesthetic that definitely complements the band’s music and brings a dash of sophistication that carries quite a bit of the vibe of days gone by. Pure class.

In an interview for Artistocrazia Webzine, Berg – Aara’s main instrumentalist – shared:
“The focus of Aara is not necessarily on anonymity and secrecy. It simply makes sense to separate things from each other. Aara is not about us as individuals who need to stage ourselves, but rather about the concepts and music we want to express. Therefore, we handle it very freely. For example, one cannot say that J. is an unknown personality in the current black metal scene. He knows many people, is involved in many projects, organizes concerts, and so on, and he freely embraces that. On the other hand, for me, it is more important to simply make music, be it in Aara or other projects. I have never been a “public person” that needs to be known everywhere in the scene, and I won’t be one.’

4. The American black/death metal band  IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT .

Imperial Triumphant’s gold leaf masks were custom made for the band by Andrew Tremble, who also creates much of their album art. As well as bringing anonymity, the masks also embody the mythical and ancient, paralleling the futuristic, with the band mentioning in a number of interviews their association with the ‘Golden Bull’, with Apollo the Sun God. Of course, with the proviso that everyone can interpret their image as they see fit.

5.The French black metal alchemists Pénitence Onirique.

Pénitence Onirique have used different masks over the years.
During the „V​.​I​.​T​.​R​.​I​.​O​.​L“ era (2016-2019), when Pénitence Onirique actually performed primarily as a duo, the band wears mirror masks.

Guitarist Bellovesos shares the following about them in an interview with Guitariste Metal:
„The image and interpretation it raises becomes relative when it is associated with influences related to culture, education but also to our emotions.
We have therefore refined the visual aspect so that each person can project themselves into it with their personality.
From there, came to us a “reflection” on the gaze, the sight, this meaning which tends to be projected outward with an analysis that is often misleading and negligent, the mirror masks, themselves, took very well the paradoxical role of ‘ invite the listener to extend his gaze in order to turn towards himself like a focus on his being.“

In 2019, the band released the album „Vestige“, which started a new chapter for them – four more official members joined the line-up, making Pénitence Onirique quite ready for live performances. For this reason, and because of the new energy in the ranks itself, the musicians have replaced the mirror concept (which is quite uncomfortable for concerts, I guess) with golden horned masks, which symbolize a journey to ancient times, the flourishing of the „third eye“ and a humble look at the past , the present and the future. The iconic mask is also part of the „Vestige“ alternate cover art.