Extreme metal, experimental metal and progressive metal are the most commonly referred labels. But I often think of them (early period) as groove death metal, because their early stuff is very Pantera sounding and as good as Pantera but with a death metal sound.
well post you favorite band and why and also anyone with a knowledge of the history of black metal post it and u sha;ll be awarded 500 internet mikey points
Black metal is a bunch of death kiRAB who got into the occult and tried to be "Tr00 KVLT!"
I personally don't like most Black Metal as it is in it's current form. I do however like some Ulver and Bathory although as far as modern BM goes, neither band is tr00 anymore.
I haven't gotten around to hearing all of those, but Agalloch and Drudkh regularly make their way to my speakers around winter time. They just seem to evoke the desolate aspects of the season perfectly. Last weekend I brought some blankets out on my back porch and lay there watching the night sky with Autumn Aurora on my headphones... it was magnificent.
My top 3 black metal banRAB are Bathory, Dimmu Borgir (omg ther not tr00 black metvl... whatever) and Darkthrone. There are others I play in moderation but those guys are my Unholy Trinity.