doom metal
subgenre of heavy metal music
Doom metal is a slow, heavy embrace of sound, where thick guitar riffs crawl like shadows across a dark landscape. The weighty chords and slow tempos create an atmosphere that feels both somber and cathartic, often underpinned by deep, guttural vocals that echo existential despair. It’s powerful yet meditative, inviting listeners to dwell in the depths of emotion and explore fears that linger just beneath the surface.
Emerging in the early 1970s, doom metal found its roots in the Sabbathian riffage of Black Sabbath’s eponymous debut, with its grinding heaviness and haunting themes. Throughout the late '80s and early '90s, bands like Candlemass and Pentagram further honed the genre, weaving intricate melodies into their crushing soundscapes while defying the faster, more aggressive trends of thrash and death metal. This new wave of darkness struck a chord with those yearning for a slower, more introspective approach to heavy music.
For newcomers looking to delve into doom metal, starting with Black Sabbath's "Master of Reality" will give you a taste of where it all began. Candlemass's "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus" showcases the majestic side of doom with its soaring melodies. For something more contemporary, try "Dopethrone" by Electric Wizard; it’s a psychedelic plunge into sludgy despair that's hard to shake off. Lastly, explore "Nightfall" by Candlemass for its blend of doom and progressive elements. If you enjoy these sounds, don't hesitate to venture into stoner rock or sludge metal for additional layers of heaviness and groove.
414 artists in the catalog.
Guides for doom metal artists
Top doom metal albums
See essentials
All doom metal artists
Warning
epic doom metal
Woods of Ypres
melodic black metal
Windhand
Witchcraft
hard rock, occult rock
The Body
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
Krautrock, heavy metal
Author & Punisher
industrial music
Corrupted
ambient music, sludge metal
Saturnus
melodic death metal
Church of Misery
Xibalba
death metal, hardcore punk
Mournful Congregation
Dark Castle
Shooting Guns
Lucifer
hard rock
Mael Mórdha
Celtic metal, folk metal
About doom metal
What is doom metal?
subgenre of heavy metal music
Where should I start with doom metal?
Start with "Never Say Die!" by Black Sabbath. It captures what makes doom metal worth exploring.
What are the best doom metal albums?
The doom metal albums worth hearing first: "Never Say Die!" by Black Sabbath, "We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll" by Black Sabbath, "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath, "Heaven and Hell" by Black Sabbath and "Master of Reality" by Black Sabbath.
How many doom metal artists are there?
northsound.fm covers 414 doom metal artists, each with a recommended starting album and listening path.