Best Doom Metal Bands

How are these guys not on top? Epicus Doomicus Metallicus is a great album with so much feeling in the intros to A Sorcerer's Pledge and Solitude. The Phrygian Dominant gives Demon's Gate the most delightfully evil feel. And, of course, the guitar harmonies in Black Stone Wielder are amazing.

Besides, the videos for Mirror Mirror and Bewitched (especially Bewitched) are hilarious. Plus, Leif Edling is a bass player and the main songwriter, so that is just automatically awesome.

There is no denying what Black Sabbath did for metal, but Candlemass just sounds so good it's absolutely irresistible.

So, you invent Doom Metal, master it, and you get 4th. Does this seem fair to you?

Black Sabbath are the GODS of Doom Metal. WHY 4TH?

The first doom metal band and the first metal band in history definitely deserves to be at the top of the list.

Black Sabbath basically made doom metal. Just listen to the song Black Sabbath.

By far my favorite metal band in general. Renkse's vocals express such emotions, and the lyrics and melody of their songs are amazing. Both their death-doom period and their softer stuff are equally amazing.

I believe their albums Tonight's Decision, Last Fair Deal Gone Down, and Viva Emptiness are pure gems of melancholic doom metal. I don't know what I would do without them. They helped me through very difficult times in my life.

I wouldn't classify their newer material (after Brave Murder Day/Sounds of Decay) as doom metal, but they remain a great band to this day. Their doom material alone isn't my favorite, but it definitely packs a punch.

The definition of underground. Most people either don't know them or worship them. Probably the heaviest Doom Metal band of all time, they're extremely unique and interesting. They definitely deserve a higher spot than 6.

Extremely earthy. You just want to chill and smoke something when you listen to this band (especially Dopethrone)!

Doom without Electric Wizard is not doomy and earthy enough!

If there's one band who can do a bloody miserable, evil, slow, heavy song, it's My Dying Bride. That's what doom is, right? So why aren't they fighting with Candlemass and Katatonia for number one?

My Dying Bride is a real doom metal band. Their music can shoot your mind with a huge shotgun. If you don't believe my word, listen to "My Body, a Funeral." It's deeply sad and dark.

One of the best bands to ever come out of Britain.

I have heard off and on of this band. But, I have recently taken the time to listen to at least one of their songs, "No Lonelier Star," and I am SHOCKED! No, seriously! I mean I have honestly NEVER heard anything like it before in my life, and that's simply the honest truth about it!

I could go on and on about them based on this song alone, but I'll keep this short and sweet. They RULE! And rightfully have earned a place of honor in my playlist for sure!

Definitely Draconian. One of the greatest doom metal bands EVER! I've been listening to doom metal music for so many years now, and I've never seen a band like them. They're the best in the business.

If you want to try them, just listen to "Death, Come Near Me" from the album "Arcane Rain Fell." It's the saddest 15:22 minutes of your life. Do not listen to the demo version of this song. You'll love this band! I'm sure.

The music "Cathedral Walls" featuring Anette Olzon (ex-Nightwish) just explains why this is one of the best doom metal bands in the world.

Whereas original doom metal pioneers like Paradise Lost and Katatonia were only grasping the potential of the genre in regards to capturing human emotion, Swallow the Sun perfected it, making some of the most emotional music ever in any genre. Plague of Butterflies is perhaps the most beautiful I've ever heard.

Ghost is, in my opinion, the best modern metal band. They have extreme satanic lyrics, but not the cliché Black Metal "Rawraghraw hail Satan" kind. They have deep, dark lyrics that literally make you feel like you are present at a Satanic ritual. Papa Emeritus has an incredible voice, and the melodies from the instrumentalists are great.

They are good enough that Dave Grohl himself jumped on board. He produced Ghost's EP "If You Have Ghost" and performed studio drums. A Nameless Ghoul from Ghost basically said that Dave Grohl sometimes drums for Ghost in live performances. Ghost is one of those bands where I can honestly say that there is no song I dislike. Even their worst song sounds good!

Paradise Lost should easily and deservedly be within the top three. They absolutely cemented the genre with "Gothic" and "Shades of God." Along with My Dying Bride, doom metal was defined in the early '90s upon the foundation of bands like St. Vitus and Black Sabbath.

The fact that Type O Negative and BLS even made the list, let alone trumping actual doom metal bands, is a testament to the low ratio of list contributors who even know what doom metal is in the first place.

Paradise Lost is simply the best, the grandmasters of doom. Their consistency and longevity are unmatched. The quality of their work is truly outstanding. Trying to pick a favorite PL song is an exercise in futility because you'll discover there's a Paradise Lost song for every season.

Early pioneers of metal, or they would be if they didn't take 15 years to release their first album. They should be at the top of the list. Big Four of Doom Metal: Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Saint Vitus, and Trouble.

They not only pioneered doom metal but metal in general. Alongside Black Sabbath, they are considered the early pioneers and sometimes founders of metal.

The early pioneer of doom. Should be in the top 2.

Go listen to Through Silver in Blood and Times of Grace. If everyone who reads this does so, these guys will be at least number 10.

This band is superb! If you like Moby Dick and Doom Metal, this is the band.

One of the best songs in history has been released by this fantastic band: "Our Wings Are Burning." This group also has other albums that every doom/gothic metal fan should listen to.

Most of the bands on this list are gothic metal, not doom. Listen to Forest of Equilibrium. It's about as true as doom metal gets.

For the beginners, I'll suggest the song "Ashes You Leave." You are going to love them. I bet.