Doom Metal Sub Genres

With this particular genre there are also some sub genres to understand. Other categories are variations of doom metal and mixtures of other genres. The follow are a couple of the more popular sub genres of doom metal.

Traditional Metal

Most if not all of doom metal started here. All doom metal started in the 1990s, this is how all of the inspiration started. Traditional has heavy distortion and a slower tempo with heavy distortion in their metal music. Vocals are mostly clean with some high pitched scream or growls.
Traditional bands include Witchcraft, Ogre and Reverend Bizarre.

Epic Metal

Traditional metal is almost just like Epic metal. The style of vocals is what changes the two. There is cleaner singing in Epic metal.
Included bands in this group are Solstice, Candlemass, Doomsword and Solitude Aeturnus.

Stoner Doom Metal

Psychedelic Metal is also another term for this sub genre. The music is called this because of the psychedelic features that bands combine with it. Loading up on guitar effects and bass, this style is really a bit unique of typical doom metal. You will see phaser, flanger and fuzz guitar effects within their music. There have been lots of Stoner metal bands that use different effects. Tune in to Kyuss, Electric Wizard, Acid King, Sleep and Sons of Otis for some stoner metal music.

Doom Metal - Sludge

If you put hardcore punk, southern rock and metal in one you will get sludge metal. A fast tempo is very common in this style of music. Guitars could have a sluggish sound plus a double bass pedal for fast beats. Singing about society, drugs and politics gives you an idea on what Sludge metal is focused on. Eyehategod, Acid Bath, Grief and Crowbar are a couple of examples of Sludge metal bands.

Death

You'll discover slow tempos and lots of distortion within this sub genre. The most important distinction you will find may be the deep growling and snarls within the vocals. With an increase of double bass drumming than typical doom metal. Most bands that belong to this category were influenced by Hellhammer and Celtic Frost.
To learn more listen to Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Asphyx, Autopsy and Winter.

Black

Black Doom metal is typical Doom metal with the elements and features of Black metal. Whenever you mix with Black metal you bring that raw state of distortion together with you. Full of dirty distortion along with a slow pace is common in Black metal. For quite a few bands in Black Doom metal tune in to Nortt, Ajattara, Gallhammer and Dolorian.

Where is Doom Metal Headed?

These are probably the most well known doom metal categories and sub categories that you'll find in doom metal. Even today you will find new bands and it is growing. Doom metal will continue to produce new songs and bands as the world continues on.