![\"Grim](\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/meme_deathsup_EN.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDark themes just fit this music better. Here, the mood is more apocalyptic\u2014and instead of tears, blood often flows.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
In this article, we\u2019d 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<\/strong>, Black Metal<\/strong>, Death Metal<\/strong>, Death Doom<\/strong>, Gothic Metal<\/strong>, Post-Black<\/strong>, and Atmospheric Metal<\/strong>. \ud83c\udfb8<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> More Information<\/a> <\/div> Ozzy Osbourne \ud83e\udd87, a huge fan of horror films, brought these themes into Black Sabbath\u2019s lyrics. This naturally worked well with Tony Iommi\u2019s heavy riffs, and the overall concept quickly came together. Who influenced what \u2013 the riff or the lyrics \u2013 is anyone\u2019s guess now, but it doesn\u2019t really matter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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).<\/p>\r\n You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> More Information<\/a> <\/div> 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\u2019s built on powerful guitar riffs, and growling dominates the vocals. Drums frequently play blast beats with rapid double-bass patterns.<\/p>\r\n The term \u201cBlack Metal\u201d 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).<\/p>\r\n You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> More Information<\/a> <\/div> 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.<\/p>\r\n The songs are often fast-paced with complex structures. Guitars are tuned lower, and staccato riffs are common. Pioneering bands like Death<\/strong>, Cannibal Corpse<\/strong>, Morbid Angel<\/strong>, and Obituary<\/strong> shaped the genre in the 1980s and 1990s and defined the Death Metal sound.<\/p>\r\n You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> More Information<\/a> <\/div> Death Doom and Gothic Metal are somewhat more restrained \u2013 at least in terms of vocals. There\u2019s less screaming and growling; clean, \u201cnormal\u201d 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.<\/p>\r\n Key bands in this subgenre include Paradise Lost<\/strong> (pioneers of Gothic Metal), Swallow The Sun<\/strong> (Death Doom, Melodic Death Metal), Katatonia<\/strong> (Death Doom, Dark Metal), and Opeth<\/strong> (Progressive Metal with Doom influences).<\/p>\r\n You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> More Information<\/a> <\/div> These subgenres don\u2019t always go to the max \u2013 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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<\/strong> (Post-Black Metal, Blackgaze), Deafheaven<\/strong> (Blackgaze), and Agalloch<\/strong> (Dark Metal, Blackgaze).<\/p>\r\n You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> More Information<\/a> <\/div> At first glance, producing metal guitar tones doesn\u2019t 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 \u2013 a small amp or a modeling amp that can simulate different types is more than enough.<\/p>\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n For Post-Black and Atmospheric Metal, more tonal flexibility is needed. In addition to the above-mentioned gear, effects like reverb and delay \u2013 either as standalone pedals or within a multi-effects unit \u2013 help create expansive soundscapes.<\/p>\r\n Dark and gloomy themes have always fascinated artists \u2013 musicians, painters, writers \u2013 whether set in a realistic or fantastical world filled with mythical creatures and dragons. Many songwriters say it\u2019s often easier to write about life\u2019s darker sides and personal struggles than about happy moments \u2013 especially if you want to avoid sounding cheesy.\u00a0<\/p>\r\nDoom Metal \u2013 The Crushing Weight of Darkness<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Black Metal \u2013 The Soundtrack of Darkness<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/a>Death Metal \u2013 Death and Darkness \u2620\ufe0f<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDeath Doom & Gothic Metal \u2013 Beauty in the Morbid<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPost-Black and Atmospheric Black Metal \u2013 Darkness in New Forms<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The Sound of Metal<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a>Death Metal<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a>Black Metal<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Post-Black and Atmospheric Metal<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a>Conclusion: Darkness as Fascination \u2013 But Metal Makes You Happy!<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n