Satanic Black Metal from France. I don't know anything about Black Metal besides thumbing through that Lords of Chaos book whenever I've been stuck at Borders waiting on someone else.

This band is weird. Forget the satanist agenda. They combine black metal with this heavy, Neurosis-y post rock and some moments of droning ambient that spill into Gregorian Chant, symphonic instruments, etc.. fairly convincingly and cohesively. Past that, I cant really say that I dig the music (or each riff or part) so much as the overall vibe of it. Pure evil.

The albums I'm listening to are the Fas - Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum LP and Kénôse EP.

http://www.southernlord.com/mp3/4%20KenoseIII.mp3

Beyond that, they've done two interviews ever and no one really knows who is in the band. Pretty cool stuff. I've never really listened to a full album of Black Metal prior, since it all seemed to repetitive...if there is anything else like this out there, bring it forth.

Some of their transitions are pretty bad but overall a good band. Check out Negative Plane's Et In Saecula Saeculorum album.

fas was good in theory but ultimately pretty unlistenable. kenose and si monumentum are amazing, NOT CRAP.

Yea, I'm starting to realize both of these things....maybe with their next album they'll get it right.

I can't find any samples of that Negative Plane album anywhere..

Have to say crap for this "post black metal" period spoken of. Despised the last two albums and split material. However "Si Monumentum..." and "Inquisitors of Satan" were much more my cup of tea, as well as the new cd of unreleased material which basically sounds like "Inquisitors" part two.

Negative Plane is one of the best bands around period. Might not appeal to you if you're not a fan of traditional black metal though; the atmosphere is similar to the first Samael album or the now-defunct Martyrium from Germany...
http://www.theajnaoffensive.com/files/NPwebsiteMp3.mp3