Rockpedia

Compare

Two genres, side by side. The ratings are editorial judgements on a ten-point scale, not measurements. Where they come out level, the difference is in the prose underneath them.

First genre

Doom metal1980

Second genre

Sludge metal1989

Head to headDoom metal vs Sludge metal
Doom metal: heaviness 9, melody 7, speed 2. Sludge metal: heaviness 10, melody 4, speed 3.Heaviness9 / 10Melody7 / 4Speed2 / 3
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Sludge is doom with hardcore's anger and hardcore's vocals. If it is screamed, it has left doom.

Sludge metal is growled or screamed where doom metal is sung cleanly, at much the same pace, around 50 to 110 bpm. To hear the difference, play Black Sabbath next to Eyehategod. Sludge metal grew out of doom metal, nine years later.

Put together from each genre's vocals, tempo, song length, key acts and place in the tree.

In figures

Heaviness
Doom metal9
Sludge metal10
+1
Speed
Doom metal2
Sludge metal3
+1
Melody
Doom metal7
Sludge metal4
−3

Doom metal

1980 · UK / USA · 7 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Doom metal

In short

The branch most faithful to Black Sabbath: slow tempos, thick riffs and crushing atmosphere. The weight comes from space, not speed.

How it sounds

  • Tempos between 60 and 100 bpm, with sustained chords and plenty of space.
  • Thick guitar tone, usually down-tuned, with analogue fuzz.
  • Oppressive atmosphere and themes of fate, the occult or depression.

Key acts

  • Black Sabbath
  • Candlemass
  • Saint Vitus
  • Pentagram

Start here

The pickSaint Vitus - Born Too Late. The title says exactly how the band felt.

Full page →

Sludge metal

1989 · New Orleans, USA · 1 subgenre

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Doom metal › Sludge metal

In short

Doom plus filthy hardcore: feedback, screamed vocals and a guitar tone like Louisiana mud.

How it sounds

  • Thick fuzzed guitar with feedback left running between riffs.
  • Alternation between very slow tempos and hardcore outbursts.
  • Screamed or howled vocals with lyrics about addiction, poverty and rage.

Key acts

  • Eyehategod
  • Crowbar
  • Melvins
  • Acid Bath

Start here

The pickEyehategod - Take as Needed for Pain. The feedback between tracks is part of the album.

Full page →