I am wondering if any of the guitarists here would be able to give a moderately detailed account of what kind of effects certain Black Metal bands use. I am trying to accomplish a full length demo of ambient black metal inspired by the likes of Xasthur, I Shalt Become, Anti, and Trist. My question lies more specifically with Xasthur's sound. I cannot get my guitar to get that droning, hollowed out sound. I've played with my effects pedal ad nauseum. I'm hoping someone has an ear for this and can just relate that info to me. Also, can there be such a thing as too much reverb? I initially thought this was the key, but if i crank up all dials it sounds somewhat unmusical.

It's not even mostly about the guitar sound, it's more in the arrangements. Xasthur seems to use lots of different chords than powerchords and multilayered guitars playing different stuff. Sometimes even clean guitar (which can have heavy chorus and reverb in it) layered under the wall of distortion. Another part of the sound is synth with quite clear and "slow" sound that gives the overall fuzz some clarity and nature of the chords.

Playing something like that with multiple guitars with a bit different sounds and bassline that is something else than straight 8's or 16's (Even if you can't directly hear it in the finished song, it's still there and it makes a difference).

And about the reverb, after recording, try copying the guitar tracks into different channel and put reverb (with 100% wet) on that and cut heavily from the bass (and even middle) frequencies from it before or after adding the reverb, which ever sounds better. It gives a good spacey and distant feeling without cluttering the whole guitar sound into one mess.

having older strings with less attack helps a little too

The only effect used regularly by most black metal bands (As far as I know) is reverb. Most of the sound comes from arrangements (as said before,) guitar, and amplifier settings.

Dudes, thanks! So Marras, that tablature you gave me would be guitar 1 tremolo picking and then guitar 2 playing those clean notes? Also, can you be a little more specific with how the keys follow the guiatr? Thanks, man

Try some delay, too. I know sometimes when I'm trying to replicate a sound that sounds super reverb'd, adding more reverb doesn't really do it, but dialing back the 'verb a bit and adding some delay does the trick.

Delay sucks, there is only tape echo! haha

name a xasthur track your talkn about.. lately ive been finding if you want to figure out a sound you have to try it yourself. Ill give the guitar effects a shot.

Tyrant of Nightmares would be a song that I'm trying to replicate as far as guitar sound goes