Death music, also known as funeral or doom metal, is a subgenre of heavy metal music that emerged in the late 1980s. It is characterized by its slow tempo, deep growling vocals, and dark, melancholic atmosphere. This genre often features lyrical themes such as death, despair, and existential dread.
The roots of death music can be traced back to bands like Black Sabbath and Pentagram who experimented with slower tempos and heavy atmospheres in their music. However, it was in the late 1980s that the genre truly began to take shape with bands like Candlemass, Trouble, and Saint Vitus leading the way.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, death music continued to evolve with bands such as My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Anathema incorporating elements of gothic rock and progressive metal into their sound. This led to the emergence of various subgenres like death-doom, funeral doom, and drone doom.
Some of the most influential artists in the death music genre include:
Although death music remains a niche genre, it has had a significant impact on the overall metal scene. Its slow tempo and emotional intensity have inspired countless bands across various subgenres, while its dark themes continue to challenge listeners and provoke thought. The genre has also helped pave the way for other experimental forms of heavy music such as post-metal and blackgaze.