I'm looking for black metal with traits similar to Cocteau Twins, specifically the album Treasure. Soft, but with a slightly abrasive production, heavy drum beats (drum machine or not), ethereal vocals (harsh are acceptable as well), and a bit poppy.

Don't know about heavy drums, but Lifelover sounds right up your ally. Very poppy black metal with post-punk touches and a very depressive vibe. Their more recent stuff got a bit heavier, but their first two albums are great. Shame the singer killed himself last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt_7J8Jy ... ata_player

The leadsinger is still alive. It was B., the guitarist, that killed himself.

Anyway, I second Lifelover, great band. Their first three albums are amazing.

My solo (black metal-ish) projects new album is very Cocteau Twins influenced. It's not out yet, but there's a demo of the opening song streaming if you want to check it out: http://soundcloud.com/michael-rumple/de ... usand-year

Hope you dig it!