Three-headed Danish doom monster Katla is set to take 2025 by the throat with the release of their unmissable debut album, Scandinavian Pain, out March 21 via Napalm Records. While you wait for that slab of devastation (which you can pre-order right here), why not check out Katla‘s favorite doom tracks of the past decade below?
Monolord – “Empress Rising”
Even though the record is from 2014, whatever. What a track! Heavy, groovy, crushing. Totally melted my brain when I heard it the first time. The repetitiveness of the song is so soothing while the weight of the sound just pushes you into a deep blanket of comfort and wellbeing. And then the break down part in the middle of the song does a lot of unusual things which I quite like.
Kylesa – “Running Red”
I’m going with the 2022 remaster to get the song on the list. Riffs, heaviness, double drums and a nice a rough production. It give me chills every time the toms and the chugs are happening.
Spelljammer – “Lake”
In the first seconds of the song, you might think that it isn’t a doom song, but then you get to the middle and it’s as doomy as it gets. For some reason the vocalist reminds me of Kurt Cobain. I like that the song is aggressive and not just slow and heavy.
Crypt Sermon – “Key of Solomon”
Normally I’m not that fond of the vocal style that Crypt Sermon uses, but in the recent years I’ve found less resistance towards this style, and when it’s applied in a song that is a good as “Key of Solomon”, I have to put my personal preferences aside and respect good craftsmanship. Massive riffs that are more classic metal than the other songs on the list, but for sure a personal favorite of mine this track.
Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard – “Valmasque”
Heavy and dreamy at the same time. I love it! I really dig the very light and melodic vocals on top of the fat and heavy riff. It is in my opinion a perfect balance of melodic and heavy and it’s a song that you can put on when having non-metal friends for dinner without scaring the life out of them.
Bongripper – “Slow”
I know that this is actually one whole side of the record Terminal, but essentially it’s one song and it’s a damn good one. It’s slow, crushing, miserable. It’s a song that you don’t just have on you list of songs to shuffle. It requires you to get into that state of mind when listening to it and I dig that. I don’t always have Bongripper on the stereo, but when I get the urge for their kind of music, there isn’t nothing better, in my opinion!
Dopelord – “Navigator”
“GREEN SMOKE INHALEEEEER”. Dopelord had a huge impact on the definition of doom and how it is perceived in modern times. If you know desertfest, you know Dopelord. Poland is a great export of extreme metal and doom is no exception.
Conan – “Volt Thrower”
Caveman battle doom. Conan really hit it big during a show at Roadburn some years back, bringing the primitive yet extremely effective heavy hitting thunder sounding doom into the mix. Conan is a huge inspiration for Katla because of their relentless and crushing sound. Jon also has one of the best battle cries in the industry.
Elephant Tree – “Aphotic Blues”
One of the biggest surprises at Desertfest Antwerp back in 2017. (Or 18? Whatever.) Talk of the town, and with good reason. Great fucking band and songs almost as catchy as The Beach Boys. I’m not sure what happened to them but they disappeared for a while but are now back in the game and have shows around. Don’t miss the opportunity to go and see your new favourite band!
YOB – “The Screen”
That heavy guitar riff in the beginning man. When I first heard the song it didn’t really catch on, but when I heard it live for the first time, with that bone crushing tone, everything just fell into place. Heavy stuff!
Source: metalinjection.net
