What is corpse paint?

Corpse paint is a style of makeup that is commonly used in black metal, death metal, and other extreme music genres. It typically involves white or black face paint applied in a dramatic, corpse-like manner, often with black accents such as dark eye sockets, inverted crosses, or other macabre designs. Corpse paint is used by musicians to enhance their stage presence and create a more menacing or otherworldly appearance.

Corpse paint has its origins in the early days of black metal, with bands like Mayhem and Bathory popularizing the look in the 1980s. Since then, it has become a common visual element in extreme metal performances, with musicians using elaborate and intricate designs to complement their music and lyrics.

While corpse paint is primarily associated with metal music, it has also been adopted by fans and performers in other genres, as well as in other art forms such as film and visual art. The style has become a symbol of rebellion, darkness, and the macabre, and continues to be a prominent and iconic aspect of the metal subculture.