The albums that define
stoner metal.
Our picks for where to start with stoner metal — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top stoner metal artists
Start with one of these.
The stoner metal essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Soundgarden
Badmotorfinger
A raw and explosive blend of heavy riffs and introspective lyrics that defines grunge's early 90s sound.
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Baroness
Yellow & Green
A rich tapestry of melodic metal, blending atmospheric textures with powerful riffs and introspective lyrics.
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Spiritual Beggars
On Fire
Heavy riffs intertwine with melodic vocals, creating a powerful stoner metal experience that resonates deeply.
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High on Fire
Cometh the Storm
A thunderous blend of sludge and stoner metal that channels primal energy and mythic themes.
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Sleep
The Sciences
Heavy, psychedelic riffs blend with cosmic themes to create an expansive auditory experience.
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Soundgarden
Screaming Life/Fopp
Raw, gritty guitars and powerful vocals create a relentless exploration of emotional turmoil and existential dread.
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Soundgarden
Superunknown
Heavy guitar riffs intertwine with haunting melodies, creating an expansive soundscape that captures existential angst.
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Soundgarden
Louder Than Love
Raw guitar riffs interlace with Chris Cornell's haunting vocals, creating an explosive blend of grunge and hard rock.
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Soundgarden
Down on the Upside
A brooding blend of heavy riffs and introspective lyrics, echoing the complexities of post-grunge identity.
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Baroness
Blue Record
A heavy and intricate blend of progressive metal and sludge, layered with melodic vocals and atmospheric depth.
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Torche
Meanderthal
A blistering blend of sludgy riffs and melodic hooks that defy genre boundaries.
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Orange Goblin
Frequencies from Planet Ten
A cosmic journey blending heavy riffs with psychedelic overtones and stoner grooves that defy earthly boundaries.
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Kyuss
...And the Circus Leaves Town
A sprawling odyssey of heavy riffs and hypnotic grooves, blending stoner rock with experimental elements.
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Kyuss
Blues for the Red Sun
Heavy, sludgy riffs intertwine with psychedelic grooves, creating an expansive desert rock soundscape.
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Sleep
Sleep's Holy Mountain
Heavy, hypnotic riffs collide with ethereal vocals, creating an immersive psychedelic experience.
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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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Cancer Bats
Hail Destroyer
A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and visceral screams that embody the chaos of modern existence.
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Dozer
Drifting in the Endless Void
A ferocious blend of heavy riffs and atmospheric soundscapes that encapsulates the essence of stoner metal.
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Dozer
Beyond Colossal
Heavy riffs intertwine with melodic undertones, creating a vast landscape of stoner rock and metal intensity.
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Acid Witch
Stoned
Heavy, sludgy riffs intertwine with horror-themed lyrics in a hazy, psychedelic atmosphere.
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Soundgarden
Echo of Miles: Scattered Tracks Across the Path
A collection of raw, eclectic tracks blending heavy riffs with introspective lyrics and a touch of experimentation.
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Soundgarden
Telephantasm
A potent blend of grunge anthems and heavy rock riffs that encapsulate Soundgarden's raw energy.
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Soundgarden
Live on I-5
A raw and energetic live recording that captures Soundgarden's powerful blend of grunge and hard rock.
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Soundgarden
Before the Doors: Live on I-5 Soundcheck
Raw and unrefined, this live album captures Soundgarden's gritty sound and electric energy before their meteoric rise.
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