Doom Metal

MetalMusicArchives.com — the ultimate metal music online community, from the creators of progarchives.com

Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much 'thicker' or 'heavier' sound than other metal genres. Both the music and the lyrics intend to evoke a sense of despair, dread, and impending doom. The genre is strongly influenced by the early work of Black Sabbath, who formed a prototype for doom metal with songs such as "Black Sabbath" and "Into the Void". During the first half of the 1980s, a number of bands from England (Pagan Altar, Witchfinder General) and the United States (Pentagram, Saint Vitus, Trouble) defined doom metal as a distinct genre.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_metal

Sub-genre collaborators (+ child sub-genres and shared with Stoner Metal and Drone Metal):
  • Nightfly (leader)
  • MorniumGoatahl

doom metal top albums

Showing only albums and EPs | Based on members ratings & MMA custom algorithm | 24 hours caching

TRIPTYKON Melana Chasmata Album Cover Melana Chasmata
TRIPTYKON
4.53 | 18 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
SAINT VITUS Die Healing Album Cover Die Healing
SAINT VITUS
4.58 | 13 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
SPECTRAL VOICE Eroded Corridors of Unbeing Album Cover Eroded Corridors of Unbeing
SPECTRAL VOICE
4.61 | 10 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
MY DYING BRIDE The Dreadful Hours Album Cover The Dreadful Hours
MY DYING BRIDE
4.43 | 36 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
THE RUINS OF BEVERAST Exuvia Album Cover Exuvia
THE RUINS OF BEVERAST
4.52 | 13 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
TROUBLE Run to the Light Album Cover Run to the Light
TROUBLE
4.50 | 13 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
PENTAGRAM Review Your Choices Album Cover Review Your Choices
PENTAGRAM
4.59 | 8 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
KHEMMIS Hunted Album Cover Hunted
KHEMMIS
4.65 | 6 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
PARADISE LOST Medusa Album Cover Medusa
PARADISE LOST
4.37 | 26 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
CELTIC FROST Monotheist Album Cover Monotheist
CELTIC FROST
4.33 | 43 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
REVEREND BIZARRE In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend Album Cover In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend
REVEREND BIZARRE
4.44 | 12 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
TRIPTYKON Eparistera Daimones Album Cover Eparistera Daimones
TRIPTYKON
4.35 | 25 ratings
Buy this album from MMA partners
This list is in progress since the site is new. We invite all logged in members to use the "quick rating" widget (stars bellow album covers) or post full reviews to increase the weight of your rating in the global average value (see FAQ for more details). Enjoy MMA!

doom metal online videos

doom metal New Releases

.. Album Cover
The Saints Take Flight
EP
THE LUMBAR ENDEAVOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Lhermitte
Album
THE LUMBAR ENDEAVOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
You Destroyed All That I Was
EP
THE LUMBAR ENDEAVOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
As They Fell, So They Rose
EP
THE LUMBAR ENDEAVOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Long Distance Love Letters
Album
THE LUMBAR ENDEAVOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
A Holy Pilgrimage To Jerusalem
Album
THE LUMBAR ENDEAVOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Street Weepers
EP
GRGL
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Kush And Gatorade
Single
NOMESTOMPER
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Elder Shell
Single
NOMESTOMPER
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
The Set Demo
Demo
REPTILIAN ARMS
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Zenosyne
Single
REPTILIAN ARMS
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Tower Of Several Gods
Album
SUN NO MORE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Doomed To Gloom
Split
DEATH HAS SPOKEN
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Doomed To Gloom
Split
BACKBONE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Voices Of The Void
EP
BACKBONE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Beggar
Album
BEGGAR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Mezereon
EP
MEZEREON
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Reign Of The Reaper
Album
SORCERER
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
No Light Has No Shadow
Album
WIZARDS OF WIZNAN
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Complete Obliteration Of Self View
Album
TERMINATING DEATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Interstellar Nomad
Album
ASTRONOMIE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Depravity Sessions
Demo
IRON SLUG
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Hermit
Album
HERU
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
When The Rivers Dry
Album
ETHEREAL TOMB
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Victim Mentality
Single
ETHEREAL TOMB
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Promo '23
Demo
ETHEREAL TOMB
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Wizard Island
EP
SKELL (WA)
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
I: Oblivion
Album
VNDER A CRVMBLING MOON
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Searching....Fading
EP
VNDER A CRVMBLING MOON
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
0.1 The Prelude
Album
VNDER A CRVMBLING MOON
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Beneath
EP
YORE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Chaff Fire
EP
BURR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Three Phased
Single
BURR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
WarHellRide
EP
KARGADA
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Petsuchos
EP
CULT OF SOBEK
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Galgendood
Album
GATEWAY
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
World Builder
Album
STILLBEING
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Spellbook
EP
MARTYR'S TOMB
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
The Storm Within
Album
SATURNUS
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Last Hibernation
Single
BORON
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Nerve Agent Mulder
Single
BORON
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Moribound
Album
ETERNAL ROT
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
The Fall Down
EP
INNUMERABLE FORMS
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Chthonic
Album
MESMUR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Lost In Paradise
Single
TIGER DRIVER
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
.​.​.​However It Still Moves
Album
SPORAE AUTEM YUGGOTH
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Blight EP
Album
FABLER
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Earthen Lament
Single
FABLER
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Paths
Album
VAV
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Martial Laws Of Discordia
Album
CHANT OF THE GODDESS
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Mammon's Throne
Album
MAMMON'S THRONE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Abyssgazer
Album
APHOTIC
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Apocalyptic Doom
Album
GOD DISEASE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Clamour Of Souls
EP
MOTHER ROOT
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Open Your Mind
Single
ISOLE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
The Song Of The Whales
Single
ISOLE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Anesidora
Album
ISOLE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Damek
Album
DAMEK
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Entropist
Album
ENTROPIST
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Xū Xiù
Single
ENTROPIST
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Under Sky And Above Ground
EP
THE LUMBAR ENDEAVOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
The Calling Quiet
Album
WOLVES IN WINTER
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Abyssal
Album
HEXER
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
The Weight of Remembrance
Album
TRIBUNAL
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Second Death
Album
MANSION
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Cold Slumber
Single
WEAVING SHADOWS
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Demo
Demo
GUTTERED
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Demo
Demo
SEPSIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Pale Light And Sunless Waters
Album
PLAGUE OF CARCOSA
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
The Coral Tombs
Album
AHAB
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
.​.​.​In the Absence of Light
Album
GRIEF SYMPOSIUM
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
The High And Mighty
Album
DOZETHRONE
Buy this album from MMA partners
.. Album Cover
Dusk
Demo
CARNWENNAN
Buy this album from MMA partners

doom metal Music Reviews

RIPPIKOULU Ulvaja

EP · 2014 · Death-Doom Metal
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
UMUR
"Ulvaja" is an EP release by Finnish death-doom metal act Rippikoulu. The EP was released through Svart Records in June 2014. It´s the band´s comeback release after reuniting earlier that year after originally disbanding in 1999. Rippikoulu formed in 1990 and disbanded in 1995 as the consequence of the death of guitarist Marko Henriksson after releasing two influential death-doom metal demos. After a two year mourning period the band tried to carry on, but they found it impossible without Henriksen and finally officially folded in 1999. Three of the original members of the band who performed on their early 90s demos are part of the reunited Rippikoulu. Drummer Toni Valtanen isn´t part of the reunion though and he has been replaced here by Mikko Ruohonen. The band have opted not to replace Henriksson, and therefore operate as a quartet with only one guitarist.

"Ulvaja" features three tracks and a total playing time of 17:58 minutes. Stylistically it´s the sound of a more mature and contemporary sounding Rippikoulu. It´s still heavy and gloomy death-doom metal with Finnish language lyrics, but it´s quite a bit more epic than the material on the two early 90s demos, which is in large part due to the omnipresent use of atmosphere enhancing keyboards. The growling vocals now also have a blackened edge to them and some of the parts which feature lead guitar lines have a melodic death/black metal touch to them.

The EP features a clear, powerful, and detailed sound production, which suits the material well, and it´s interesting to hear the band´s music in a professional studio recording quality, when for so many years the only recorded material by the band was the two demo tapes from 1992/1993. Personally I think they´ve lost some of their identity with the addition of the keyboards, and I could have wished for a more organic and raw sound, but when that is said "Ulvaja" is still a good quality death-doom metal release with a melancholic epic atmosphere and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

RIPPIKOULU Musta seremonia

Demo · 1993 · Death-Doom Metal
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
UMUR
"Musta seremonia" ("The Black Ceremony") is the second demo recording by Finnish death-doom metal act Rippikoulu. The demo was independently released in 1993 and it would be the band´s last recording before disbanding in 1995 after the death of guitarist Marko Henriksson. After a two year mourning period the band tried to carry on, but they found it impossible without Henriksen and finally officially folded in 1999. They´ve since reunited and have released the "Ulvaja" EP in 2014.

Stylistically the material on "Musta seremonia" continues the ultra heavy death metal/death-doom metal style of the 1992 "Mutaation aiheuttama sisäinen mätäneminen" ("Internal Rotting Caused by Mutation") demo. The songtitles and lyrics are still in the Finnish language, but as the case was on the preceding demo, it doesn´t matter much, as you probably won´t be able to pick out many words as the deep growling vocals are pretty much unintelligible. While Rippikoulu still play some fast-paced, aggressive, and energetic death metal parts, the pendulum has predominantly swung towards the ultra heavy death-doom metal part of their sound. These guys are masters at playing some sludgy brutal death-doom, and while the faster parts are great for the variation of their music, it´s not where they excel.

Featuring six tracks and a total playing time of 31:39 minutes "Musta seremonia" could well have been released a full-length studio album, and the quality of the recording is also close to having the right ingredients for that. It´s pretty raw and unpolished and when the morbid lead guitar parts kick in, the tone isn´t that well sounding, but other than that this could just as well have been released as the band´s debut album. This is a release for those who enjoy their old school death metal with a doomy touch and a gloomy atmosphere. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is well deserved.

STILLBEING World Builder

Album · 2023 · Death-Doom Metal
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
UMUR
"World Builder" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Texax based post-metal/progressive death-doom metal act Stillbeing. The album was independently released in July 2023. Stillbeing formed in 2021 under the AEGOS monicker and released the April 2021 "The Great Burst of Light" album, and the November 2021 "The Current" single under that monicker before changing their name to Stillbeing.

As Stillbeing is essentially the same project moving forward under a different monicker, "World Builder" is not really a debut album, or at least it´s not a newbie type debut album. If you´re familiar with "The Great Burst of Light" it´s obvious it´s a blueprint for "World Builder", although AEGOS and Stillbeing are slightly different (or maybe more correctly Stillbeing have evolved). Jei Doublerice (Despite Exile, Abiogenesis) again handles the growling vocals, but "World Builder" also features clean male- and female vocals (and spoken word sections).

Featuring four tracks which are all over 10 minutes long, the material on "World Builder" is quite creative and rather eclectic too, drawing influences from all sorts of musical genres. The basis of the band´s music is heavy riffs and rhythms, but the tracks are also greaty atmospheric (often created with keyboards or lead guitars) and at times even epic in scope. The tracks can rightly be called progressive in structure and they feature many intriguing ideas and elements.

"World Builder" features a well sounding production job, and even the programmed drums (I assume they are programmed because that´s how they sound) feature an acceptable sound production. They are sometimes a bit too simplistic though and to my ears the music could have prospered from a human drummer playing the drums. I wouldn´t be surprised if "World Builder" is actually a bedroom project created by one man, with guests handling the vocals.

Upon conclusion I´d say that "World Builder" is a step up from the previous AEGOS releases, although I wouldn´t call it a giant leap. The riffs are little sharper and more memorable, the atmospheric sections have more impact, but the tracks still feature sections here and there, which aren´t that interesting. If Stillbeing can eliminate the stale sections, and write slightly more memorable parts instead (and have a real human drummer play on the next release), they could well produce something spectacular in the future. For now a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

CANDLEMASS Candlemass

Album · 2005 · Traditional Doom Metal
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
UMUR
"Candlemass" is the eponymously titled 8th full-length studio album by Swedish doom metal act Candlemass. The album was released through Nuclear Blast Records in May 2005. It´s the successor to "From the 13th Sun" from 1999 and features massive lineup changes since the predecessor and a major change in sound. Candlemass had been through a decade of lineup changes, a break-up in 1994, the Leif Edling side-project Abstract Algebra, and experimentation with their sound, which resulted in the albums "Chapter VI (1992)", "Dactylis Glomerata (1998)", and "From the 13th Sun (1999)". "Candlemass" however sees a return of the classic lineup from the late 80s, which also means a return of lead vocalist Messiah Marcolin.

The classic lineup reunited in 2002 and played some live shows, which resulted in the release of the live album "Doomed for Live – Reunion 2002" from 2003. Candlemass subsequently started working on material for a new studio album, but soon disbanded again. They however reunited in November 2004 for a second time in the classic 80s lineup and completed writing and recording the material featured on this album.

Stylistically the material on "Candlemass" is a continuation of the epic doom metal sound of the previous Marcolin-fronted Candlemass albums, but the band have opted for a darker, less epic, and more riff heavy sound this time around. "Black Dwarf" opens the album in an energetic and quite aggressive fashion (for Candlemass), and it´s a high quality opening track. Other standout tracks are "Seven Silver Keys", "Witches" and "Copernicus". There are a couple of more standard quality tracks on the album, but the quality of the material is predominantly high and fully on par with the quality of the material on the three other Marcolin-fronted Candlemass albums.

The musicianship is high on all posts. The rhythm section is heavy and solid, the riffs are massive, and the lead guitar work from Lars Johansson is exquisite. Marcolin is THE voice of Candlemass, and his vocals on this album are more varied but just as powerful and unique as always. He has a distinct sounding voice and a commanding semi-operatic delivery, and the vocal melodies are intriguing and memorable. As "Candlemass" also features a high quality sound production (maybe the best production on any Candlemass album), it is upon conclusion a high quality release through and through. This is in other words a mandatory listen for fans of the band´s classic sound, and the fans who fled the ranks during the musical experimentation of the 90s, are advised to return to the fold. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

OCTOBER TIDE Rain Without End

Album · 1997 · Death-Doom Metal
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
SilentScream213
This is one of those albums I’d had on my radar for years, but only just gotten around to. As Death Doom, particularly Melodic Death Doom, is my favorite music genre, I had a lot of expectations for this thing.

Well, 30 seconds into track one, my face contorted into a disharmoniously gleeful smile while listening to the aural form of melodic depression, and halfway through track two I prematurely judged this to be a masterpiece, completely meeting all expectations and more. The incredible part is that the album only grew stronger, the main riffs of “Sightless” and “Blue Gallery” in particular absolutely blowing my mind. THIS was the BIRTH of Melodic Death Doom. This was the origin of the brand of music that had come to be my absolute favorite.

Quite immediately, I began thinking “Damn, these guys really listened to Brave Murder Day and just worshipped the hell out of it.” This was less shoegaze-y and more melodic, but the overall style was uncannily similar. I mean hell, the first track was “12 Days of Rain”… you cannot convince me that isn’t a Brave Murder Day reference! Not that it mattered to me. More of something great = a win for me. I later felt stupid, after 17 listens, upon reading that this was composed by the vocalist/drummer and guitarist of Katatonia. And then I was in awe, because the whole thing was done by JUST those two people. Insane how two people crafted an album better than what full bands can do.

Anyway, to talk of the musical merit… some of the best, most melancholic guitar leads ever crafted. Doomy, yet full of energy and power. Ditto to the drumming, simple but perfectly serving the music, generous amount of double bass. Vocals are harrowing and beautiful. Sparse keys/synths round out the atmosphere perfectly. Lyrics are morose, slightly symbolic and poetic. Perfect album, absolutely flawless.

doom metal movie reviews

PARADISE LOST Live Death

Movie · 2004 · Death-Doom Metal
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
martindavey87
Considering this was actually released on VHS in 1990, Paradise Lost must surely overestimate the passion and loyalty of their fan club. Filmed in Bradford in 1989 to coincide with the band’s debut album, this is a 30-minute video of the band playing on stage. They barely move around, you barely see glimpses of the crowd, and in fact, you barely see vocalist Nick Holmes’ face due to his shaggy hair constantly covering it.

I’m not really a fan of their earlier, death metal growly material anyway, but even if I was, this video isn’t enjoyable or interesting to watch at all. Re-released in 2004 on DVD, this isn’t worth the 50p I spent on it if not for the fact that I do, in fact, actually like this band, and have a compulsive obsession to own everything a band puts out.

Artists with Doom Metal release(s)

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

The Nameless Cry Folk Metal
TUATHA DE DANANN
Buy this album from MMA partners
At Glory's End Death Metal
BLOODRUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
A Dream Of Sailing (Live At Garret) Melodic Metalcore
SAILING BEFORE THE WIND
Buy this album from MMA partners
Rebirth Deathcore
WITHIN DESTRUCTION
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Tuatha de Danann - United
TUATHA DE DANANN
Tupan· 1 day ago
Tuatha de Danann- The Nameless
TUATHA DE DANANN
Tupan· 1 day ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us