doom

Doom: A History of Heavy, Gloomy, and Sometimes Hilarious Music

Doom metal, a genre born from the darkest corners of heavy metal, is a sonic exploration of despair, depression, and the end of the world. Its roots lie in the early 1970s, when bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest started incorporating darker themes and heavier sounds into their music.

The Early Days (1980s):

• The Birth of the Genre: The early 1980s saw the emergence of bands like Candlemass and Trouble who laid the foundations for doom metal. Their music was slower, heavier, and often featured extended instrumental passages.
• The Rise of Sabbath-inspired Doom: Bands like Pentagram and Saint Vitus took inspiration from Black Sabbath’s dark and heavy sound, pushing the boundaries of doom further with their sludgy riffs and haunting vocals.

The 1990s: Expansion and Evolution:

• Doom’s Subgenres: The 1990s witnessed the emergence of doom’s subgenres, including Death/Doom (My Dying Bride), Funeral Doom (Skepticism), and Stoner Doom (Sleep). These subgenres explored different aspects of doom, from the melancholic beauty of death/doom to the psychedelic groove of stoner doom.
• A Wider Audience: Doom music began to gain a wider audience, with bands like Electric Wizard and Cathedral gaining critical acclaim and cult status.

Funny Facts:

• The Doom Metal Beard: While not always the case, doom metal is often associated with long beards and unkempt hair. This stereotype was even made into a song by The Obsessed, titled “The Beard.”
• The “Doom Metal” Name: The name “doom metal” itself is a bit ironic, as many doom metal bands reject the label, preferring terms like “heavy metal” or “heavy rock.”
• The Cult of the Witch: Several doom metal bands have embraced the image of the witch, with bands like Witchcraft and The Devil’s Blood incorporating occult imagery and themes into their music and appearance.

Doom Today:

Doom metal continues to thrive in the 21st century, with new bands emerging and pushing the boundaries of the genre. While its core themes remain the same, doom metal has become more diverse and experimental, reflecting the ever-evolving nature of heavy music.

Doom music, with its slow tempos, heavy riffs, and dark themes, might sound depressing on the surface. But beneath the gloom lies a certain beauty and introspection. And who knows, maybe it’s the humor lurking in the dark corners of doom metal that makes it so appealing to those who seek solace in heavy music’s embrace.