doom metal

Doom Metal: A History of Heavy, Gloomy, and Sometimes Funny

Doom metal, with its heavy riffs, slow tempos, and melancholic atmosphere, might seem like the antithesis of humor. But beneath the layers of darkness, there’s a surprisingly playful side to this genre.

The Origins of Doom: From Sabbath to Gloom

Doom metal’s roots can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, with bands like Black Sabbath pioneering a heavy sound that would later be called “doom”. Sabbath’s “Iron Man”, with its heavy riffs and dark lyrical themes, laid the groundwork for the doom metal movement.

The 80s saw the rise of “traditional doom” bands like Candlemass and Trouble, who emphasized slow tempos, extended instrumental passages, and a focus on atmosphere.

The Evolution of Doom: Expanding Horizons

Doom metal continued to evolve throughout the 90s, with the emergence of subgenres like death-doom (combining the heaviness of death metal with doom’s slow tempos), stoner doom (influenced by psychedelic rock), and sludge metal (characterized by heavy, distorted sound and aggression).

The Funny Side of Doom: A Touch of Absurdity

Despite its heavy and often dark nature, doom metal has a surprisingly humorous side. Here are a few amusing facts about doom musicians:

• The “Doomlord” of Memes: Scott “Wino” Weinrich, a legendary doom vocalist and guitarist, has become a bit of a meme in the doom metal community. His vocal style, characterized by its powerful yet slightly off-key nature, has inspired countless parodies and jokes.

• A Doom Metal Band with a Name Too Funny to Ignore: Electric Wizard, a stoner/doom metal band known for their heavy riffs and psychedelic themes, has a name that’s just inherently funny.

• Doom Metal, But Make It Fashion: Some doom metal musicians are known for their unique fashion sense. One prominent example is Opeth vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt, who has been known to wear outrageous costumes on stage, including a giant, fluffy white coat that earned him the nickname “The White Viking”.

The Enduring Power of Doom

Despite its dark themes and slow tempos, doom metal remains a powerful and influential genre. Its ability to evoke a sense of emotional depth and catharsis has resonated with listeners for decades. So the next time you hear a heavy riff and feel a wave of melancholy wash over you, remember: even the darkest music has its funny side.