Sludge Metal

Sludge metal is a heavy, distorted, and often atmospheric genre born from the fusion of doom metal's slow, crushing riffs and hardcore punk's intense energy. Characterized by its use of downtuned guitars, driving rhythms, and frequently screamed or growled vocals, sludge metal emerged in the 1980s and 1990s in the Southern United States. This subgenre is marked by its emphasis on weighty, plodding rhythms and fuzz-laden guitar textures, often creating a sense of sonic unease. Sludge metal's cultural significance lies in its reflection of the frustrations and disillusionments of rural, working-class America, with its lyrics often addressing themes of social isolation and environmental degradation. While drawing from doom metal's darkness and punk's rebellious spirit, sludge metal's distinct blend of heavy, slow-burning riffs and apocalyptic atmospheres sets it apart from other extreme metal styles, making it a unique and captivating force in the metal landscape.

Latest Sludge Metal Release
undefined album image
Pain Effulgence
Album - 8 Tracks - Released August 22, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Mastodon
Clutch
Trouble
Acid Bath
Mutilator
Pelican
Top Playlists
The Sound of Sludgecore 66 Sludge Metal artists
Stoner Rock A-Z 43 Sludge Metal artists
The Sound of French Stoner Rock 30 Sludge Metal artists
The Sound of Louisiana Metal 30 Sludge Metal artists
Doom and Stoner Metal 29 Sludge Metal artists
The Sound of Indonesian Stoner Rock 25 Sludge Metal artists

RecentMusic users are tracking 1521 Sludge Metal artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 10,052 releases .

Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the Sludge Metal artists you love!

Get Started Browse Arists
  1. August 22, 2025
  2. August 22
  3. August 22
  4. August 22
  5. August 22
  6. August 20
  7. August 18
  8. August 15
  9. August 15
  10. August 15
  11. August 15
  12. August 13
  13. August 12
  14. August 8
  15. August 1
  16. August 1
  17. August 1
  18. July 30
  19. July 27
  20. July 26
  21. July 25
  22. July 25
  23. July 25
  24. July 23
  25. July 23
  26. July 22
  27. July 22
  28. July 21
  29. July 18
  30. July 18
  31. July 18
  32. July 18
  33. July 18
  34. July 18
  35. July 18
  36. July 18
  37. July 18
  38. July 16
  39. July 16
  40. July 11
  1. August 22, 2025
  2. August 20
  3. August 18
  4. August 15
  5. August 15
  6. August 13
  7. August 12
  8. August 1
  9. August 1
  10. July 30
  11. July 26
  12. July 25
  13. July 23
  14. July 23
  15. July 22
  16. July 22
  17. July 21
  18. July 18
  19. July 18
  20. July 18