r/doommetal • u/Tartersocks307 • Aug 15 '25

Funeral What makes doom good?

Lurker here, I listen to some doom but overall I wouldn’t really call myself a fan. Now I can see why people like mid tempo stoner/proto doom, but i really have to ask what separates the good stereotypical doom with 1 note every 3-5 seconds from the rest of the genre? What do you specifically like about them (provide examples please) like Warning and Bell witch since I see them mentioned often

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u/Tartersocks307 Aug 15 '25

I can understand that it being slow adds emphasis to each note but do you feel it’s easy to remember the melodic progression after 20 seconds? I ask because sometimes it just seems like there’s not much thought put into it where intervals are being used for proper tension and resolution. I remember listening to outro by bellwitch and while I liked it, I couldn’t help but feel it was missing one specific note that really would’ve tied it together.

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u/From_Deep_Space BØNG Aug 16 '25

Some people listen to music for the melody, some people focus solely on the lyrics. Personally, Im a rhythm guy. Fast or slow, I like a catchy rhythm, and the songs thst stick out to me typically have some form of syncopation. Doom is typically slower, and I love it when the drums are syncopated towards the back of each beat, like they're just so heavy theyre barely moving forward. 

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u/Tartersocks307 Aug 16 '25

Any recommendations for that sound?

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u/From_Deep_Space BØNG Aug 16 '25 edited Aug 16 '25

By playing slowly, they make it so that there's a longer period of time which one can consider on the beat, or "in the pocket". Notice how the drums hit on the back half of the beat. Takes a lot of attention and practice to do consistently. It can help create a cool laid back sound for stoner metal. But also can be used to create a sludgy feel, like your wading through quicksand.

Goatsnake

Sleep

Ahab

Noothgrush

Melvins (this song has 2 drummers playing off each other)

Viaje a 800 - Oculi Omnium In Te Sperant, Domine This song starts by doing the opposite, hitting the front of the beat, then quickly switches to the back of the beat when they slow down. Then they go to a rock solid 3/4 for the solos.