Acoustic doom metal is a form of doom metal that typically employs very slow tempos, ordinary tuned guitar and a copletely different sound than other metal genres. Both the music and the lyrics intend to evoke a sense of despair, dread, and impending doom.
The genre was established by the Cain Da Breth band in 2003. Other bands playing this style are i.e. Tenhi, the Corrupted or the Alethes
Characteristics
Instrumentation
The acoustic guitar, cello, violin, and percussions are the most common instruments used to play acoustic doom metal, although Flute or Viola are occasionally used. Guitarists, cellists and violinists do not use any distortion. This produces a very clean tones, which is one of the defining characteristics of the genre. Another defining characteristic is the consistent focus on slow tempos.
Vocals
Traditional acoustic doom metal vocalists favour clean vocals, which are often performed with a sense of despair, desperation or pain. But also growled or screamed vocals can be heard.
Lyrical themes
Lyrics in doom metal play a very important role. Often, they are pessimistic in nature, and include themes such as: suffering, depression, fear, grief, death and anger. While some lyrics are written in introspective and personal ways, others convey their themes using symbolism - which may be inspired by various types of literature.
Some themes used in lyrics are religious or mythological, perhaps more so than other heavy metal bands.
Additionally, some lyrics are about drugs or drug addiction. These describe like hallucinogenic or psychedelic experiences, but covered as a vampire or werewolf transformation.
History of Acoustic doom metal
Origins (1980s)
Acoustic doom metal is among the newest forms of heavy metal, rooted in doom metal and gothic rock music. This music is rooted in blues and rock and roll, but with the deliberately doomy and loud guitar playing and the then-uncommon dark and pessimistic lyrics and atmosphere.
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