The Dark Side of Metal: From Doom to Black Metal

Like many other musical styles, metal has a huge number of subgenres, some of which are heavily influenced by dark and gloomy themes. Let’s take a closer look at some of them. 🤘

As expressions of anger, fear, or despair, these themes are frequently reflected in the lyrics and supported musically.

Dark themes just fit this music better. Here, the mood is more apocalyptic—and instead of tears, blood often flows.

In this article, we’d like to introduce you to a few of these different metal subgenres, highlight their characteristic features, and mention which bands have helped define them: Doom Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Death Doom, Gothic Metal, Post-Black, and Atmospheric Metal. 🎸

Doom Metal – The Crushing Weight of Darkness

Doom Metal is played at very slow tempos with heavy riffs. This creates a suspenseful and often desperate atmosphere, and the lyrics typically deal with depression, death, or nihilism. The genre was heralded by the early Black Sabbath albums in the 1970s. The band is widely regarded as a pioneer of metal and set a clear blueprint in terms of riffs and lyrics.

Ozzy Osbourne 🦇, a huge fan of horror films, brought these themes into Black Sabbath’s lyrics. This naturally worked well with Tony Iommi’s heavy riffs, and the overall concept quickly came together. Who influenced what – the riff or the lyrics – is anyone’s guess now, but it doesn’t really matter.

The starting gun had been fired, and other bands continued to evolve the Doom subgenre. These include Candlemass (Epic/Doom), My Dying Bride (Death/Doom), and Bell Witch (Funeral Doom).

Black Metal – The Soundtrack of Darkness

Black Metal originated in Norway and Sweden in the 1980s and quickly gained popularity throughout Europe. Musically, it differs somewhat from Doom Metal: tempos are faster and often shift within a song. Still, it’s built on powerful guitar riffs, and growling dominates the vocals. Drums frequently play blast beats with rapid double-bass patterns.

The term “Black Metal” was originally used for bands with satanic lyrics, but pagan, misanthropic, and nihilistic themes also found their way into the genre. Notable Black Metal bands include Cradle of Filth (gothic-theatrical Black Metal), Dimmu Borgir (Black Metal & Symphonic Metal), Darkthrone, and Behemoth (Blackened Death Metal).

Death Metal – Death and Darkness ☠️

In Death Metal, lyrical themes are also deeply dark: war, disease, death, horror, and occasionally misanthropy or Satanism. Musically, Death Metal is characterized by technically demanding riffs, fast passages, deep growls, and complex drum beats.

The songs are often fast-paced with complex structures. Guitars are tuned lower, and staccato riffs are common. Pioneering bands like Death, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, and Obituary shaped the genre in the 1980s and 1990s and defined the Death Metal sound.

Death Doom & Gothic Metal – Beauty in the Morbid

Death Doom and Gothic Metal are somewhat more restrained – at least in terms of vocals. There’s less screaming and growling; clean, “normal” vocals take the spotlight. As the name suggests, Death Doom is a fusion of Death Metal and Doom Metal. It features dark atmospheres and melodies, less extravagant arrangements and riffs, and lyrics often centered on decay, mortality, death, and romance.

Key bands in this subgenre include Paradise Lost (pioneers of Gothic Metal), Swallow The Sun (Death Doom, Melodic Death Metal), Katatonia (Death Doom, Dark Metal), and Opeth (Progressive Metal with Doom influences).

Post-Black and Atmospheric Black Metal – Darkness in New Forms

These subgenres don’t always go to the max – atmospheric textures are key, providing the perfect backdrop for emotional and melancholic lyrics. Songs can be complex and often exceed the ten-minute mark. Lyrics no longer focus on satanic or nihilistic themes but rather existential questions and personal reflection.

Atmospheric Black Metal takes a similar approach, offering a broader range of instruments to create cinematic soundscapes. Post-Black Metal emerged in the 2000s and influential bands include Wolves in the Throne Room (Post-Black Metal, Blackgaze), Deafheaven (Blackgaze), and Agalloch (Dark Metal, Blackgaze).

The Sound of Metal

At first glance, producing metal guitar tones doesn’t require a lot of gear. You need a guitar with a strong output and an amp capable of delivering high distortion. Humbucker pickups are typically the go-to choice. When choosing an amp, the context matters: if you mostly play at home, a 100-watt tube full stack is overkill – a small amp or a modeling amp that can simulate different types is more than enough.

If you want to dive into one of the subgenres mentioned above, there are a few specific gear recommendations. For Doom Metal, traditional setups are often used: guitars with passive humbuckers (like an SG) and classic British amp sounds, such as a Marshall JCM 800 or Orange Rockerverb.

Death Metal

For Death Metal, guitars with active pickups are recommended for delivering tight high-gain sounds and maintaining clarity with downtuned riffs. A 7-string guitar is also worth considering for the extended range. Amps like the Peavey 6505 or Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier are ideal for this style, offering the necessary power and aggressive distortion.

Black Metal

Black Metal also benefits from high-output guitars, often still using passive pickups. Amp-wise, the Peavey 6505, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, and ENGL amps are popular choices for high-gain tones. Of course, a dedicated metal distortion pedal can also achieve the desired sound.

Post-Black and Atmospheric Metal

For Post-Black and Atmospheric Metal, more tonal flexibility is needed. In addition to the above-mentioned gear, effects like reverb and delay – either as standalone pedals or within a multi-effects unit – help create expansive soundscapes.

Conclusion: Darkness as Fascination – But Metal Makes You Happy!

Dark and gloomy themes have always fascinated artists – musicians, painters, writers – whether set in a realistic or fantastical world filled with mythical creatures and dragons. Many songwriters say it’s often easier to write about life’s darker sides and personal struggles than about happy moments – especially if you want to avoid sounding cheesy. 

Despite all the dark themes, various studies have shown that metal fans are actually happier people. For example, a 2015 study from California University surveyed people who like or used to like heavy metal. Of the 377 participants, 144 were metal fans or musicians in the 1980s.

Compared to 80 peers and 153 students with no connection to metal, the metal fans/musicians were significantly happier in their youth – and remain more content and better adjusted today.

So, enjoy finding your happiness through powerful metal riffs!

From Doom to Black Metal: Your Feedback on the Dark Metal Genres

Do you love – or even live for – metal? What are your favorite bands? Let us know in the comments!