Essential southern metal listening

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.

Mafia

Black Label Society

Mafia

A gritty blend of Southern metal and hard rock that rages with raw intensity and emotional depth.

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1919 Eternal

Black Label Society

1919 Eternal

A heavy blend of Southern grooves and relentless riffs, showcasing a raw and powerful soundscape.

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Shot to Hell

Black Label Society

Shot to Hell

A raw fusion of heavy riffs and Southern grit, delivering an unrelenting sonic assault.

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The Blessed Hellride

Black Label Society

The Blessed Hellride

Heavy riffs entwined with soulful melodies create a relentless yet cathartic sonic journey through darkness.

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The Song Remains Not the Same

Black Label Society

The Song Remains Not the Same

Acoustic renditions of heavy anthems, blending raw emotion with the grit of Southern metal roots.

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Alcohol Fueled Brewtality

Black Label Society

Alcohol Fueled Brewtality

A raucous blend of heavy riffs, gritty vocals, and an unmistakable Southern rock swagger.

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Stronger than Death

Black Label Society

Stronger than Death

A raw and heavy blend of Southern metal riffs and emotionally charged lyrics that resonate deeply.

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Sonic Brew

Black Label Society

Sonic Brew

A gritty blend of Southern metal and hard rock, defined by heavy riffs and raw, emotional vocals.

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Order of the Black

Black Label Society

Order of the Black

A thunderous blend of Southern grooves and heavy metal riffs, steeped in gritty lyrical themes.

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Hail Destroyer

Cancer Bats

Hail Destroyer

A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and visceral screams that embody the chaos of modern existence.

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Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones

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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Doom Crew Inc.

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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Catacombs of the Black Vatican

Black Label Society

Catacombs of the Black Vatican

A fusion of heavy riffs and heartfelt melodies, echoing themes of loss and resilience.

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Kings of Damnation 98–04

Black Label Society

Kings of Damnation 98–04

A brutal fusion of Southern metal and hard rock, layered with gritty riffs and powerful vocals.

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Hangover Music Vol. VI

Black Label Society

Hangover Music Vol. VI

A gritty blend of Southern metal and hard rock, infused with raw emotion and personal storytelling.

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Grimmest Hits

Black Label Society

Grimmest Hits

A thunderous blend of Southern metal grit and hard rock anthems with haunting lyrical themes.

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The European Invasion – Doom Troopin' Live

Black Label Society

The European Invasion – Doom Troopin' Live

A raw and unfiltered live performance that captures the heavy, gritty essence of Southern metal.

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Skullage

Black Label Society

Skullage

A thunderous blend of Southern metal grit and melodic hard rock anthems that resonate with raw emotion.

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Animosity

Corrosion of Conformity

Animosity

Raw and aggressive, blending Southern metal with punk energy and a heavy dose of sludge.

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Technocracy

Corrosion of Conformity

Technocracy

A raw blend of Southern grooves and heavy sludge that channels anarchic energy into every riff.

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In the Arms of God

Corrosion of Conformity

In the Arms of God

A heavy blend of Southern metal and sludge, with gritty riffs and contemplative lyrics that evoke a sense of struggle.

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IX

Corrosion of Conformity

IX

A heavy blend of Southern metal and sludge, infused with introspective lyrics and dynamic rhythms.

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Live Volume

Corrosion of Conformity

Live Volume

Raw energy and heavy riffs collide with Southern grooves, embodying the essence of live sludge metal.

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America's Volume Dealer

Corrosion of Conformity

America's Volume Dealer

A gritty blend of southern rock and sludge metal that channels both aggression and introspection.

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