The albums that define
southern metal.
Our picks for where to start with southern metal — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top Southern metal artists
Start with one of these.
The southern metal essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Black Label Society
Shot to Hell
A raw fusion of heavy riffs and Southern grit, delivering an unrelenting sonic assault.
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Black Label Society
Doom Crew Inc.
A thunderous blend of groove metal and Southern rock, filled with gritty riffs and evocative melodies.
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Corrosion of Conformity
Eye for an Eye
Raw, aggressive punk-infused metal bursts with social commentary and relentless energy throughout the album.
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Corrosion of Conformity
No Cross No Crown (album)
Grimy riffs intertwine with haunting melodies, capturing the essence of Southern metal's raw power and emotional depth.
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Texas Hippie Coalition
Rollin'
A relentless blend of Southern rock and heavy metal, fueled by gritty vocals and thunderous riffs.
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Texas Hippie Coalition
Peacemaker
A thunderous blend of Southern metal and hard rock, driven by gritty riffs and anthemic choruses.
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Down
Over the Under
A heavy and atmospheric blend of sludge and stoner metal that immerses listeners in a dark, brooding soundscape.
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Down
Down IV – Part II
Heavy riffs and brooding melodies intertwine, creating a dense atmosphere that embodies Southern metal's raw power.
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Cancer Bats
Hail Destroyer
A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and visceral screams that embody the chaos of modern existence.
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Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
II
A gritty blend of metalcore and Southern rock, steeped in raw emotion and storytelling.
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Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
The Day Hell Broke Loose at Sicard Hollow
A gritty blend of Southern metal and rock, infused with raw, confrontational energy and heavy riffs.
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Cancer Bats
Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones
A relentless barrage of aggressive riffs intertwined with raw, anthemic melodies and socially charged lyrics.
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The Showdown
Blood in the Gears
A thunderous blend of groove metal and Southern rock, laced with powerful Christian themes and gritty vocals.
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The Showdown
Back Breaker
A thunderous blend of groove metal and Southern rock infused with dynamic Christian themes and powerful melodies.
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Phil Anselmo
Choosing Mental Illness as a Virtue
A raw fusion of Southern metal and sludge, charged with visceral lyricism and unfiltered aggression.
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Phil Anselmo
Walk Through Exits Only
Aggressive riffs meld with raw, unfiltered vocals, creating a visceral soundscape of despair and defiance.
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