Stoner Metal

A brief history of Stoner Metal

Stoner Metal, also known as stoner rock or fuzz rock, is a subgenre of heavy metal music known for its heavy, distorted guitar riffs and slow, sludgy tempo. Pioneered in the early 1990s, stoner metal is characterized by its raw, psychedelic sound and lyrical themes that frequently address drug use, mysticism, and the occult.

The origins of stoner metal can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, when bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin were experimenting with a heavier, guitar-driven sound. These bands laid the foundation for what would become stoner metal, incorporating elements of blues, folk, and psychedelia into their music.

In the 1980s, the influence of punk rock and alternative music began to seep into the heavy metal scene, giving rise to a new wave of heavy metal that was faster and more aggressive than its predecessors. However, some musicians felt that the genre was losing touch with its roots and sought to create a new sound that harkened back to the psychedelic and blues-influenced heavy metal of the 1970s.

One of the earliest bands to experiment with this new sound was Kyuss, a group from the California desert that formed in the late 1980s. Kyuss’s music was characterized by its heavy, fuzzed-out guitar riffs, long instrumental passages, and trippy, otherworldly atmosphere. With the release of their debut album, Wretch, in 1990, Kyuss helped to establish the groundwork for what would become stoner metal.

Another influential band from this period was Sleep, a group from San Jose, California that formed in 1990. Like Kyuss, Sleep’s music was characterized by its heavy, distorted guitar riffs and slow, sludgy pace. However, Sleep’s music was also notable for its incorporation of Eastern influences and mysticism, with songs like “Dragonaut” and “Holy Mountain” featuring lyrics about religious awakening and the search for enlightenment.

By the mid-1990s, stoner metal had begun to gain a following among fans of heavy metal, punk rock, and alternative music. Bands like Monster Magnet, Fu Manchu, and Earthless began to emerge, each with their own take on the stoner metal sound. These bands were largely independent and often self-released their music, relying on word-of-mouth and underground music scenes to build their fanbase.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, stoner metal began to make its way into the mainstream, with bands like Queens of the Stone Age and Mastodon achieving commercial success and critical acclaim. The success of these bands helped to bring stoner metal to a wider audience and cemented its place as a distinct subgenre within the heavy metal world.

Notable Stoner Metal artists

Sleep: Hailing from San Jose, Sleep is considered one of the pioneer bands in stoner metal. Their album “Dopesmoker” is a cult classic, with its lengthy and intricate compositions designed to mimic the experience of being high.

Electric Wizard: Formed in England in the mid:90s, Electric Wizard is known for their heavy, slow riffs and occult:inspired lyrics. Their album “Dopethrone” is a standout in the genre, with its dystopian themes and sludgy sound.

High on Fire: Fronted by Matt Pike, High on Fire combines elements of stoner metal with thrash and doom. Their sound is characterized by Pike’s guitar work, which is both aggressive and intricate.

Kyuss: Considered one of the pioneers of desert rock, Kyuss formed in Palm Desert, California in the late 80s. Their sound is characterized by fuzzy, distorted guitars and heavy basslines.

Boris: This Japanese band is known for experimenting with different genres, including stoner metal. Their sound is characterized by heavy, droning riffs and a willingness to incorporate elements of noise and feedback.

Yob: Formed in Eugene, Oregon in the late 90s, Yob is known for their slow, heavy sound and introspective lyrics. Their album “Clearing the Path to Ascend” is considered a masterpiece of the genre.

Weedeater: Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, Weedeater is known for their sludgy, distorted sound and raunchy lyrics. Their live shows are legendary for their intensity and sheer volume.

Orange Goblin: One of the most popular stoner metal bands from the UK, Orange Goblin is known for their catchy riffs and irreverent lyrics. Their album “The Big Black” is considered a classic of the genre.

Conan: This British band is known for their crushing, monolithic sound and apocalyptic lyrics. Their live shows are a visceral experience, with the band delivering their music at breakneck volume.

Bongripper: Despite their name, Bongripper is serious about their music. Hailing from Chicago, they are known for their hypnotic, instrumental sound and punishingly heavy riffs. Their album “Satan Worshipping Doom” is a brilliant example of what can be achieved with a guitar, bass, and drum kit.

25 Stoner Metal records you should hear

1. Sleep - Dopesmoker
2. Electric Wizard - Dopethrone
3. Kyuss - Welcome to Sky Valley
4. High on Fire - Blessed Black Wings
5. Black Sabbath - Master of Reality
6. Mastodon - Leviathan
7. Saint Vitus - Born Too Late
8. Crowbar - Odd Fellows Rest
9. Orange Goblin - Time Traveling Blues
10. Corrosion of Conformity - Deliverance
11. Fu Manchu - In Search Of…
12. Melvins - Stoner Witch
13. Cathedral - Forest of Equilibrium
14. Sleep - Holy Mountain
15. Earthride - Vampire Circus
16. Red Fang - Red Fang
17. Black Label Society - Sonic Brew
18. Acid King - Busse Woods
19. Electric Wizard - Come My Fanatics…
20. Elder - Lore
21. Bongzilla - Gateway
22. Weedeater - God Luck and Good Speed
23. Conan - Monnos
24. Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats - Blood Lust
25. Windhand - Soma

Stoner Metal and the charts

One of the earliest and most influential stoner metal acts is Kyuss, a band from Palm Desert, California, that was active from 1987 to 1995. Although they never reached the mainstream, Kyuss’ albums, including “Blues for the Red Sun” (1992) and “Welcome to Sky Valley” (1994), have become classics of the genre. “Blues for the Red Sun” in particular is often cited as a landmark of stoner metal, blending the heavy, droning riffs of Black Sabbath with the trippy, free-flowing improvisation of psychedelic rock.

Another key player in the stoner metal scene is Sleep, a San Jose-based trio that formed in 1990 and disbanded in 1998, only to reunite in 2009. Their second album, “Sleep’s Holy Mountain” (1992), is widely regarded as a masterpiece of the genre, with its monolithic riffs, hypnotic bass lines, and dreamy, mystical atmospheres. However, it was their third and final album, “Dopesmoker” (2003), that became their most iconic work, despite being initially rejected by their label and re-recorded under the title “Jerusalem”. “Dopesmoker” is a single, hour-long song that tells the story of a pilgrimage through a desert in search of a legendary stash of marijuana, and its massive, repetitive structure has become a touchstone of stoner metal and doom metal alike.

One of the most successful stoner metal acts of all time is Queens of the Stone Age, a band from Palm Desert that was formed in 1996 by former members of Kyuss. While they have incorporated various styles and influences over the years, ranging from punk rock to pop, QOTSA’s early albums, such as “Rated R” (2000) and “Songs for the Deaf” (2002), are considered classics of stoner rock, with their low-tuned guitars, catchy melodies, and surreal lyrics. “Songs for the Deaf” in particular scored a major hit with its lead single, “No One Knows”, which received heavy radio and TV airplay and reached the top 5 of the US Modern Rock chart.

Other stoner metal acts that have enjoyed mainstream success include Mastodon, a band from Atlanta that formed in 1999 and has released several critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, such as “Leviathan” (2004), “Blood Mountain” (2006), and “Crack the Skye” (2009); and Ghost, a Swedish band that blends stoner metal with 70s hard rock, psychedelia, and theatricality, and has gained a massive cult following since their debut album, “Opus Eponymous” (2010). Ghost’s most recent album, “Prequelle” (2018), reached number 3 on the US Billboard 200, their highest chart position to date.

What people have said about Stoner Metal

One of the most notable books on stoner metal is “Doom Metal Lexican” by Aleksey Evdokimov. The book serves as an encyclopedia of the heavy metal sub-genre. It covers the history of the genre, providing information about some of the pioneers of stoner metal such as Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, and Sleep. Additionally, the book explains how stoner metal evolved from its roots in doom metal, and identifies some of the key hallmarks of the genre. The book is an essential reading material for anyone interested in stoner metal.

In the book “Heavy Metal: A Cultural Sociology,” Deena Weinstein explores the diversity of heavy metal music. She characterizes stoner metal as a genre that “produces a sound that is both overwhelmingly heavy and almost trance-like, achieving a kind of cathartic high.” She notes that the genre is influenced by blues, rock, and even country music. Weinstein also identifies some of the themes that recur in stoner metal lyrics, including drug abuse, nature, and mysticism.

Another writer who has explored stoner metal is Ian Christe. In his book “Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal,” Christe suggests that stoner metal “is a genre that celebrates the stoned highness” and describes it as “slow, heavy, and full of droning riffs and hazy atmospheres.” He points out that the genre’s sound is more tonal and less rhythmic than other subgenres of heavy metal. Christe highlights some of the key players in stoner metal such as Kyuss, Monster Magnet, Electric Wizard, and Sleep.

One of the most well-known and critically acclaimed stoner metal bands is High on Fire. In an interview with The Quietus, the band’s frontman Matt Pike spoke about the genre’s focus on the groove. “The element of groove is where stoner metal comes from. It’s some sort of tribal instinct that people have,” he said. Pike also acknowledged the influence of Black Sabbath and other early heavy metal bands on stoner metal artists.

Another influential band in the genre is Sleep. In an interview with The Guardian, Sleep’s guitarist Matt Pike spoke about the appeal of stoner metal. “Stoner metal is more groove-based, meant to make you feel something,” he said. “It’s a music for stoners, but anyone who can pick up on that groove can enjoy it.” He also described the genre as “a celebration of life” and “a throwback to an earlier time.”

Stoner Metal in context

There are many social factors that shaped the emergence of stoner metal. One of the most important ones was the sub-culture of drug use that erupted in the late 90s and early 2000s. Cannabis, in particular, was at an all-time high in popularity and as people began to seek new experiences, stoner metal provided a perfect soundtrack for such an environment.

Additionally, stoner metal bands often played shows at underground clubs and showcased an intense and often grimy aesthetic. This fits in with the counterculture movement, which emerged from the United States in the 1960s and was concerned with anti-establishment values, experimentation, and a rejection of mainstream ideologies.

The cultural context that fosters stoner metal also comes from the relationship between the genre and other musical styles. Stoner metal took influences from psychedelic rock, doom metal, sludge metal, and heavy blues rock. Bands like Sleep, Saint Vitus, Electric Wizard, and Kyuss turned the sound of Black Sabbath into something heavier and more fuzzed-out.

The rise of the internet also played an important cultural role in the dissemination of stoner metal. Before the internet, underground music movements depended on independent record labels, fanzines, and word-of-mouth to spread their message. But with the rise of peer-to-peer file-sharing and social networking, stoner metal bands and their followers had a more direct means of communication with each other.

Stoner metal’s slow, heavy sound was made possible by advances in music technology. Amplifiers, overdrive pedals, and effects processors were all essential to stoner metal’s unique sound palette. The production of heavy music was also boosted through advances in recording technology, which allowed producers to create a powerful, layered sound.

It is worth noting that the technological advances that made it possible to make the music also made it more accessible. Home recording software and digital distribution channels meant that anyone could record, produce and distribute their music, making it much easier for new bands to emerge.

Several record labels played a significant role in bringing stoner metal to the wider world. Man’s Ruin Records, Rise Above Records, and Tee Pee Records all helped to create a scene for stoner metal bands to thrive in. In addition, metal-focused journalists like Hunter S. Thompson and Lester Bangs, helped to legitimize heavy music and its fans in the eyes of the mainstream culture.

If you like Stoner Metal you may like..

Doom metal: a slow and heavy subgenre of heavy metal music that emerged during the late 1970s.

Sludge Metal: a subgenre of heavy metal that originated from doom metal, combining doom’s heavy, slow sound with hardcore punk energy.

Psychedelic Rock: a genre of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s, incorporating elements of folk, jazz, and blues, with heavy usage of distortion and effects.

Stoner Rock: a subgenre of rock music incorporating elements of psychedelic rock, blues rock, doom metal, and grunge, often featuring prolonged jams and mellow grooves.

Desert Rock: a subgenre of stoner rock known for incorporating elements of traditional folk music and Middle Eastern music into the heavy rock sound.