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

Stoner doom1991

Second genre

Doom metal1980

Head to headStoner doom vs Doom metal
Stoner doom: heaviness 9, melody 6, speed 2. Doom metal: heaviness 9, melody 7, speed 2.Heaviness9 / 9Melody6 / 7Speed2 / 2
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Doom is bleak and mournful; stoner doom is hypnotic and warm. Same tempo and tuning, opposite relationship to the listener.

Both are sung cleanly and move at much the same pace, around 50 to 110 bpm. To hear the difference, play Sleep next to Black Sabbath. Stoner doom grew out of doom metal, eleven years later. United States and United Kingdom appear in the origins of both.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Stoner doom9
Doom metal9
level
Speed
Stoner doom2
Doom metal2
level
Melody
Stoner doom6
Doom metal7
+1

Stoner doom

1991 · USA / United Kingdom

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Doom metal › Stoner doom

In short

Stoner riffs played at half speed, with thick fuzz and subject matter drawn from witchcraft and cannabis.

How it sounds

  • Stoner riffs played at half speed, with thick analogue fuzz.
  • Very low tunings and vintage amplifiers driven flat out.
  • Nasal or incantatory vocals with lyrics about witchcraft, the occult and cannabis.

Key acts

  • Sleep
  • Electric Wizard
  • Bongzilla

Start here

The pickElectric Wizard - Dopethrone. The thickest guitar tone ever committed to tape.

Full page →

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 →