Epic Doom
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Epic Doom
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| Development phase: | late 1980s / early 1990s |
| Place of origin: | Sweden |
| Stylistic precursors | |
| Doom Metal · Power Metal | |
| Pioneers | |
| Solitude Aeturnus · Candlemass | |
| Instruments typical of the genre | |
| E-Guitar · E-Bass · Keyboard · Drums | |
| Pioneer | |
| Black Sabbath · Pagan Altar | |
Epic Doom , sometimes also called Power Doom , is a music sub-genre that emerged from the mid-1980s through the mutual influence of the genres Power Metal and Doom Metal .
Musical classification
In contrast to Doom Metal, Epic Doom has many characteristics that are more likely to be attributed to Power Metal. A clear and high vocal style (partly falsetto ), a clear production, the use of keyboards or synthesizers to create the sound of choirs and symphonic instruments, as well as a dominant, less distorted guitar separate the Epic Doom from the classic Doom Metal of the early days Representatives like Black Sabbath , Pentagram , Black Widow or Sorcery. The bass is also less dominant.
"Bombastic and majestic, Epic Doom exaggerates the basic idea of Power Metal, and slows it down to a snail's pace."
In general, the style is based on the early releases of the bands Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus and described using the musical characteristics of both bands. Sometimes Messiah Marcolin, the second singer of Candlemass, is ascribed a special role in the development of the genre.
“The micro-magician impressed with his crystal-clear, high-pitched voice, which formed a captivating contrast to the heavy, but still melodic metal riffing of the Scandinavians. The American Solitude Aeturnus hit a similarly epic, but even more depressing line with IN THE DEPTH OF SORROW (1991). Here, too, it is the singing that puts its stamp on the band: Vocalist Rob Löwe [sic!] Doesn't need any hymn passages to sweep the fans away - just through the expressiveness and passion of his clear voice he conveys the feeling of sadness and pain. "
The content-related and thus lyrical focus of Epic Doom lies primarily in a thematic complex of mythology and fantasy .
history
precursor
Even before Candlemass gave the genre a name and direction with their debut album, a few doom metal bands played with the connection of the NWoBHM , in particular the genre founders Black Sabbath laid the first foundation stone for Epic Doom after their separation from Ozzy Osbourne . After Black Sabbath moved further and further away from the elements of blues rock between 1975 and 1978, still with Ozzy Osbourne, and tried to perfect their sound, the band took on essential aspects after the change of singer and the new recordings with Ronnie James Dio of Epic Doom in advance.
“ Heaven and Hell marks a real milestone with its sound […] and the mixture of the typical Iommi riffs with a stronger emphasis on epic moments should definitely shape the further history of Metal . But also that of Doom . "
Another forerunner of the genre is the Pagan Altar with its debut Volume 1 , which enjoyed cult status in the tape trading circles of the 80s and 90s . In 1982 Pagan Altar used almost all of the features later attributed to Epic Doom, but initially remained without a record deal and could only gain popularity via demo cassettes .
Origin of the genre
In the early 1980s, some heavy metal performers oriented themselves towards Pentagram and Black Sabbath, especially in terms of tempo and style of play , contrary to the more popular styles of Speed Metal and New Wave of British Heavy Metal at the time. In addition to such performers as Witchfinder General , Trouble , Saint Vitus or The Obsessed , the Swedish band Candlemass released their debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, which was decisive for Epic Doom . A few years later, bands were founded mainly in Europe, which corresponded to the style of the album. In addition to Forsaken and While Heaven Wept , Texans Solitude Aeturnus also released their debut Into the Depths of Sorrow in 1991, which contributed to the popularity of the genre. Solitude Aeternus added the technique of double bass playing, which is unusual for Doom Metal, to the sound, which is characterized by candlemass . Accordingly, in the 1990s, the band was awarded the ability to "skillfully combine the sluggish and viscous power of Doom Metal with elements of modern Metal."
Since then, the genre has been active and is one of the most popular of Doom Metal, mainly with a European dominance.
Well-known bands
Individual evidence
- ↑ Epic Doom Metal. Radio Dextera, accessed March 29, 2014 .
- ↑ a b Wesley: The Faces of Doom. the Metal Observer, accessed March 29, 2014 .
- ↑ a b Arne Eber: Aesthetics of Doom. (No longer available online.) ResettWorld, archived from the original on March 4, 2016 ; accessed on March 28, 2014 .
- ↑ Wesley: The Faces of Doom. the Metal Observer, accessed March 29, 2014 : "Bombastic and majestic, Epic Doom draws upon the spirit of Power Metal, slowing it down to a snail's pace."
- ↑ a b Thorsten Zahn & Petra Schurer: Emotions in slow motion. Rolling Stone, archived from the original on November 12, 2014 ; accessed on March 30, 2014 .
- ↑ a b c Fierce: DOOM SHALL RISE: The Epic / Power Doom Special. Vampster, accessed March 29, 2014 .
- ↑ a b tajam: the History of Doom Metal Part One. (No longer available online.) Tajam, archived from the original on March 11, 2014 ; accessed on March 30, 2014 .
- ↑ Doom-Metal.com: The history of doom metal. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007 ; accessed on January 22, 2010 (English).
- ^ Fierce: Solitude Aeturnus. Vampster, accessed March 30, 2014 .
- ^ Frank Albrecht: Into the Depth of Sorrow. Rock Hard, accessed March 30, 2014 .