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
Live Dallas, Texas 1990
Album - 11 Tracks - Released December 12, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Mastodon
Clutch
Trouble
Acid Bath
Paradise Lost
Pelican
Top Playlists
Stoner Rock A-Z 43 Sludge Metal artists
Doom and Stoner Metal 29 Sludge Metal artists
The Sound of Indonesian Stoner Rock 25 Sludge Metal artists
The Sound of New England Metal 20 Sludge Metal artists
Weird Music 20 Sludge Metal artists
The Sound of Hard Stoner Rock 19 Sludge Metal artists

RecentMusic users are tracking 1581 Sludge Metal artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 10,839 releases

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

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