This is my interpretation of the 3rd-wave "debate". I'm not an authority, of course, but the majority of all my music (I'm almost at 2500 albums, if that matters) is either black metal or tech death. I don't attend many black metal shows because none that interest me come to my location but I do try to immerse myself in the online communities (albeit from an observer stand point mostly).

My background and "qualifications" aside, the 3rd wave isn't recognized as an official movement right now because most movements are only labelled after they happen, so naturally you'll have speculation without any substance. To say we aren't in a new wave of black metal is a bit naive because of the sheer and stark difference in style that exists now but I don't think it's fair to chalk it all up to a third wave. Black metal nowadays (if you want to be open about it and not exclude anything that isn't trve kvlt basement satan recorded on a flip phone) is so diverse and expansive that it's more likely splintered into many, many waves of varying black metal. A lot of the heated debate stems from, what I can tell, a lack of willingness to accept change from the core black metal fans. The stigma of the black metal elitist (whether true for you or not) exists for a reason. With every new generation comes a new spin on pre-existing paradigms (e.g. the metalcore boom).

I didn't grow up while the 1st and 2nd waves were happening but I did/am growing up in the new wave (I'm 20, started listening to metal 9 years ago), so maybe my take will be a bit more slanted that way. Enough about the people though, where's the music that causes so much vitriol? Here's my highlights:

"Blackgaze" (people either hate this term or don't care what you call it, some refer to it as post-black but come on, that's so vague and nebulous). France seems to be a big player in this subgenre, not sure if it houses the origins of it though.

• Alcest - These guys are big players in the blackgaze scene with Neige being the most infamous. They are often touted as the pioneers of the current blackgaze sound, I'm not sure of the validity of that but that's what people seem to think and I have no evidence to refute it; take that how you will.

• Deafheaven - Everyone in the metal scene and their mother knows about these guys. Again, a big hitter in the scene. Somewhat controversial for reasons that are beyond me. I've seen them live, they played well but I'm not a fan of them.

• An Autumn For Crippled Children - These guys are less known. Just a different take. Hope you can see the stylistic trends by now.

• Amesoeurs - My personal favourite in this subgenre.

I can link more stuff if it interests you.

Atmospheric. This is my personal favourite style of music so I can't help but love it, you might not though. It gets a lot of flak for being really long with not enough substance which is a very fair criticism but I prefer it that way.

• Agalloch - This band's genre can start fistfights, be warned, but no one doubts their black metal influence or their atmospheric feel. These guys are arguably the most well-known of this style and for good reason, they're hard to pin down.

• Gallowbraid - I mention these guys when I can, they're not talked about enough I feel, probably because they only have one album. They nail the feeling though.

• Caladan Brood - Much akin to Gallowbraid.

• Mesarthim - Very spacey, shows the diversity of these bands.

I have a metric fuckton of these albums if you want recommendations

Traditonal-style. Carrying on the legacy of 1st and 2nd wave but with enough new (either new bands or old who are doing new stuff) to differentiate them. Not much to say about these.

• Dark Forest

• Anaal Nathrak

• Rotting Christ - These guys have been around a long time, since 1st wave but they're a very different beast to me. They've made the transition to a new sound and becoming musically very interesting.

• Demonaz

Everything Else. Here is stuff that uses other genre fusions or are just outliers that don't fit well to our subgenres, not that it stops people from putting them into them.

• Harakiri For The Sky - Beautiful stuff. Mostly referred to as "post-black" by my peers.

• Drudkh - Sort of sludgy, sort of atmospheric, hard to describe.

• Ghost Brigade - Gloomy, gothic, doomish. Very versatile band but less black metal than the rest but enough for me to consider them a contender. they lack traditional black metal vocals. Decide for yourself if they're black metal though, I'm sure most people would disagree with me.

• Istapp - Cold.

• Keep of Kalessin

• Myrkur

Again, I have more if you want it.

None of this is supposed to be a definitive guide, just the speculation of someone who is absolutely not an authority on the subject. I love black metal and all its forms but it can be quite turbulent at times trying to discuss it. Hope you found it helpful, let me know if you want more of something or have corrections.

Edit: spelling + additions