Doom metal has always been a genre that thrives on its crushing riffs, slow tempos, and haunting atmospheres. While its roots stretch back to the pioneers of Black Sabbath, the genre continues to evolve and breathe new life into the metal scene. Today, doom metal is far from a stagnant style. It’s alive with fresh ideas, emerging talents, and powerful music that pushes the boundaries of heaviness and emotional depth.
This article will explore a list of new doom metal artists who are making waves in the metal scene. These bands represent a range of styles, from the traditional, slower-paced doom to more experimental takes that blend elements of stoner rock, sludge, and even post-metal. The bands featured here are carving out their own space in the genre and are sure to leave an impact in the years to come. Whether you’re a long-time doom fan or a newcomer looking to explore, these are the acts to keep your eyes on.
Top 7 New Doom Metal Artists to Watch
1. Ahab – The Coral Tombs (2023)
Ahab, a German doom metal band, has been making a name for itself in recent years with its cinematic blend of funeral doom and atmospheric elements. Their latest album, The Coral Tombs, released in 2023, is a monumental work that expands on the band’s thematic obsession with the sea, death, and the supernatural. The album opens with the track “The Sea as a Tomb,” which sets the tone with slow, mournful guitar riffs and a thick, oppressive atmosphere. This song feels like the soundtrack to a journey into the abyss, with deep growls and clean vocals that evoke a sense of despair and isolation. The use of atmospheric effects and soundscapes further immerses the listener in Ahab’s world of submerged horrors. Their incorporation of orchestral elements and ambient noises creates a haunting contrast to the heavy, slow-moving guitars, making this an album that demands attention for both its complexity and emotional depth.
2. Ocean of Slumber – Starlight and Ash (2023)
Ocean of Slumber, a Texas-based band, has garnered attention for its melancholic blend of doom metal and progressive elements. Their 2023 release, Starlight and Ash, is an example of how doom can transcend its traditional boundaries and become something more emotionally powerful and intricate. The standout track “The Waking Sea” opens with a soft, clean guitar line before exploding into a massive, crushing riff. The song’s dynamic range, shifting from moments of delicate beauty to intense, heavy passages, mirrors the tumultuous emotional landscapes the band explores in their lyrics. Lead vocalist Cammie Gilbert’s powerful, soulful delivery adds an extra layer of depth, with her voice soaring through the melancholic waves of sound. The song’s length and pacing give it room to evolve, allowing for both tension and release in a way that makes it impossible to look away from. Starlight and Ash is a perfect example of how doom metal can be both heavy and emotional, and Ocean of Slumber is a band to watch closely in the coming years.
3. Pallbearer – Forgotten Days (2020)
Pallbearer has long been one of the most prominent names in the modern doom scene, and their 2020 album Forgotten Days further cements their place at the top of the genre. The track “Forgotten Days” itself is a slow, sorrowful exploration of loss and the passage of time, and it opens with thick, brooding riffs that immediately set a melancholic tone. The band’s ability to craft deeply emotional melodies while maintaining a heavy, doom-laden atmosphere is on full display here. The song features powerful vocal harmonies, shifting between clean and growled passages, creating a dynamic contrast that keeps the listener engaged throughout. The production is clean but still retains a raw, organic feel that enhances the emotional weight of the music. Pallbearer’s ability to mix traditional doom influences with progressive elements and melancholic, almost post-rock-style compositions makes Forgotten Days a standout release in modern doom.
4. Wizard Rifle – The Valley of Death (2023)
Wizard Rifle, a U.S.-based band known for its experimental approach to doom, has made waves with their 2023 album The Valley of Death. Their sound mixes elements of doom, stoner rock, and psychedelic metal, making them one of the most unique acts in the genre today. The track “Lords of the Underworld” begins with a heavy, fuzzed-out riff that feels both groovy and ominous. As the song progresses, the tempo picks up slightly, bringing in elements of more traditional stoner metal while still retaining that doom-like heaviness. The vocals are distorted and raw, adding a sense of urgency to the track as it builds into a wall of sound that is both abrasive and hypnotic. Wizard Rifle’s willingness to experiment with genre boundaries makes them stand out in the doom scene, and The Valley of Death is an album that rewards repeated listens as its complexity becomes more apparent over time.
5. Church of the Cosmic Skull – The Endless Light (2023)
Church of the Cosmic Skull, a British band known for blending doom with elements of psychedelic rock and retro 70s influences, released The Endless Light in 2023. The track “Lightbringer” is a perfect example of the band’s unique sound, mixing heavy, fuzz-laden guitars with melodic, almost mystical vocals. The song feels both retro and contemporary, drawing on the sounds of classic doom while incorporating elements of modern psych-rock. The layering of vocals, often harmonized in a church-like style, adds an ethereal quality to the song, creating a sense of transcendence that is rare in the doom genre. The way the song builds, layering guitar leads over a foundation of steady, plodding rhythms, creates an immersive atmosphere that pulls the listener in. Church of the Cosmic Skull’s ability to merge classic doom elements with psychedelic flair makes them an exciting band to watch in the years ahead.
6. Slowburner – Dooming (2023)
Slowburner, a doom metal band from Australia, brings a raw, unpolished sound to the genre with their debut album, Dooming, released in 2023. The track “Sorrow’s Path” is a great representation of the band’s sound, featuring deep, resonant riffs that move slowly but steadily, with a crushing weight that feels unrelenting. The song’s melancholic guitar lines are complemented by guttural, almost growling vocals, creating a grim, oppressive atmosphere that matches the track’s title. What makes Slowburner stand out is their willingness to keep things simple yet heavy. The band doesn’t rely on overly complex structures or intricate melodies. Instead, they let the crushing weight of their riffs do the talking. Dooming is a no-frills, back-to-basics kind of doom metal album, and Slowburner’s straightforward approach makes them an exciting band to follow for fans of traditional doom metal.
7. Crypt Witch – Blood Moon (2023)
Crypt Witch, a rising doom band from Finland, blends doom metal with elements of death and black metal, creating a dark and oppressive atmosphere. Their 2023 album Blood Moon features the track “Blood of the Moon,” which begins with a haunting, atmospheric intro before launching into a slow, monolithic riff that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song’s relentless pace, combined with its grim, distorted vocals, creates a suffocating atmosphere that pulls the listener into its world of darkness and despair. The band’s use of atmospheric elements, such as distant howls and eerie whispers, enhances the song’s overall sense of dread. Crypt Witch’s ability to fuse doom with elements of other extreme metal subgenres makes them one of the most exciting and innovative bands on the scene right now.
See Also: Unveiling the 10 Best Death Metal Christmas Albums Ever
Conclusion
The modern doom metal scene is rich with fresh, innovative artists who continue to push the boundaries of the genre while staying true to its roots. From atmospheric, emotional explorations like Ocean of Slumber’s Starlight and Ash to the raw, no-frills doom of Slowburner’s Dooming, these new bands are making their mark with powerful music that resonates with both traditional doom fans and those looking for something new and exciting. Doom metal may have originated with the likes of Black Sabbath, but it is clear that these new artists are shaping its future. Whether you’re into melancholic, slow-burning riffs, crushing atmospheres, or experimental sonic landscapes, the future of doom metal looks incredibly bright with these rising acts leading the way.
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