Music: Styles: Doom Metal
Atmospheric, gothic, dark, doom-death, and various sundry epithets characterize this style. This is
different from the stoner rock of the early Black Sabbath and Candlemass (although I do list those here
as well). Almost entirely rooted in the nineties, doom metal can be described as slow, sensual,
melancholic, and tranquil; an antidote to the rage of black metal and the finer side of death. Lyrics
range from love to betrayal, from death to vampires, and so forth, in a romantic vein. Although still
metal, many bands in the DM scene employ femal vocalists to spice up the vocal delivery. Many rely
exclusively on female voices, which is great. Many doom bands started out as death outfits and mellowed
out. Today the style is thriving but has becoming boring because many newcomers simply copy existing
acts without adding anything innovative. On top of that, some of the finest doom bands have shifted
focus to more popular lighter music, which can be quite annoying. Some of my favorites are the bands
that utilize the contrast between fleeting female vocals and deathly male growls.
