Melodic black metal is a subgenre of black metal that incorporates many of the core elements of traditional black metal, such as shrieked vocals, fast tempos, and high-pitched electric guitars typically played with tremolo picking. However, it differs in several notable ways, primarily through its emphasis on melody and structure.

The genre tends to feature less distortion in guitar tones, with more frequent use of guitar solos and keyboard arrangements. Songs often follow conventional structures, including distinct verses, choruses, and bridges. A typical composition may begin with a melodic introduction, such as clean guitar or keyboard passages, before progressing to more aggressive sections. These transitions often include the use of harmonic minor scales and modulations between minor chords, sometimes by thirds, creating a dramatic shift in tone.

Melodic black metal compositions are generally more accessible than traditional black metal, with a focus on clarity and control of sound rather than overwhelming volume. The bridge sections in particular may contrast sharply with the rest of the song, sometimes becoming mellow before abruptly returning to a heavier style, often marked by a sudden vocal outburst.

Drumming remains heavy and fast-paced, and guitar riffs are typically tightly structured, frequently utilizing tremolo picking and modified or inverted power chords to enhance the melodic framework of the music.

Lyrically, melodic black metal retains much of the thematic content of traditional black metal, often exploring dark or aggressive subjects. However, the genre is not always as overtly anti-religious, particularly in comparison to some of its more extreme counterparts.

The visual style of melodic black metal artists closely aligns with that of traditional black metal, including the use of corpse paint, black clothing, and stage pseudonyms. Artists typically avoid mainstream visibility, maintaining a presence that emphasizes underground credibility.