Ten Incredible Unknown Doom Bands (December 2022)
While many metal subgenres have all but stagnated, doom is growing in popularity like never before. Between those who aim to do little more than improve upon the Black Sabbath template, and auditory innovators worthy of their own subgenres, there’s plenty of doom to check out this year. Here are a few of the best unknown doom bands to look out for in 2022. and 2023.
Hempress
Recently featured by youtube doom regurgitator 666MrDoom, Hempress is an overtly cannabis-themed classic doom outfit. They aren’t the most unknown on this list, but their incredible Masters of The Trade release is still sitting unjustifiably in the thousands of views. Take a listen::
Fell Ruin
Detroit’s Fell Ruin takes blackened doom right to the border of the two genres. For fans of double bass, tremolo picking, and mortifying darkness, look no further.
Mother of Graves
I’ve no idea how this one has stayed so unknown, but Mother of Graves is an Indianapolis death doom project with immaculate production and killer vocals. It’s sure to see more light, so check it out while you can still look cool doing so.
The Salt Pale Collective
Taking inspiration from the bleak North of England, the Salt Pale Collective combines doom themes with synths and harmonies to create an entirely unique combination. Shoegaze, experimental, and death influences are all readily apparent:
Astral Moon
Astral Moon’s low, stonerey, echoing vocals recall Ian Curtis’ dramatically monotone pronouncements perhaps more than anything other recent metal creation. Still, the solo project exudes Electric Wizard and other classic inspirations.
Destroyer of Light
Austin four-piece Destroyer of Light is a proggy, doomy soup that needs to be drunk.
Famyne
Another UK newcomer, Famyne professes to combine stoner, hard rock, heavy metal, psychedelia, prog and grunge, throwing them together in another fantastically produced recording effort.
Moth Priest
With a name like Moth Priest, how can you go wrong? A reference to Elder Scrolls’ Cult of the Ancestor Moth, or a literal description of a religiously devout clothes moth? You decide.
The vocals are a bit more classic doom, while the instrumentals are quite modern.
Ammothea
Inspired by The Angelic Process and the like, Ammothea feels almost like a doom Deathconsciousness by Have a Nice Life.
Purple Lung
Last on our list, Purple Lung is a muddy, sludgy quartet of doom from Scranton. More riffs and killer artwork to come?