Continuing the History of Metal through short (trivia packed) chapters and accompanying playlists.
Thanks for all the support of Part 1 of these ongoing series! You asked me for more, here it is :)
Work in progress, will be posting irregularly (but...
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Doom Metal is one of the first subgenres of Heavy Metal, pioneered originally in the late 60's by several Proto-Metal bands and the masters themselves, Black Sabbath.
So basically, Heavy Metal is really a subgenre of Doom Metal? Doomception...
In an earlier chapter (in the Metal --- part 1 book) we've already explored the evolution of Doom Metal from its inception to its current state, but let's dig a little deeper into a specific moment in time: the Golden Years of Doom Metal in the mid-eighties, before the genre evolved in a myriad of subgenres in the nineties.
By the 80's, Black Sabbath had significantly changed its sound more towards classic Heavy Metal – not in the least influenced by a long list of new frontmen – so you won't find them on this list. However, their signature 70's Doom sound, powered by mid-tempo distorted guitars that could only be described at he time as heavy as fuck, was picked up – and perfected – by a wave of new American bands, most notably Cirith Ungol, Saint Vitus, and Trouble.
These bands – although never as successful as good ol' Sabbath – would become highly influential on the Stoner and Sludge scenes that exploded in the mid-nineties. The aforementioned American bands released several classics in Doom's Golden Age, and some new bands that would become popular in the next decade like The Obsessed and Solitude Aeturnus, released critically acclaimed demos and singles.
The Doom scene in the mid-eighties wasn't just an American affair though, as UK pioneers Witchfinder General and Pagan Altar deserve to be mentioned here as well. Witchfinder General played an interesting mix flirting both with Black Sabbath's Doom and a more melodic N.W.O.B.H.M. style of Metal. Unfortunately, they disbanded before metalheads worldwide began to sing their praise. Pagan Altar also remained deep into the underground. The cult band is often cited as a key influence by modern Doom bands and have finally seen success after releasing old and new material in the 21st century.
By the decade's end, a band from yet another scene had truly taken over the crown of the (by this time) Epic Doom scene: Swedish powerhouse Candlemass. The successful band around musical mastermind Leif Edling ended up bringing Doom Metal back into the Metal mainstream.
Doom Metal and all the iconic bands listed here have remained highly influential in the ongoing evolution of Metal as a whole. It only makes sense that we take some time to honour them with this dedicated playlist!
Playlist:
01. Pagan Altar: Judgement Of The Dead (demo) (1982)
02. Cirith Ungol: King Of The Dead (1984)
03. Saint Vitus: The Psychopath (1984)
04. Trouble: Bastards Will Pay (1984)
05. Witchfinder General: Last Chance (1983)
06. The Obsessed: Iron And Stone (1983)
07. Pentagram: Dying World (1985)
08. Candlemass: At The Gallows End (1987)
09. Cirith Ungol: Chaos Descends (1986)
10. Trouble: The Tempter (1984)
11. Saint Vitus: Born Too Late (1986)
12. Pentagram: Day Of Reckoning (1987)
13. Candlemass: Mirror Mirror (1988)
14. Solitude Aeturnus: Mirror Of Sorrow (demo) (1988)
