Doom has always been closely intertwined with metal music. Just a brief listen to any Doom soundtrack or a quick glimpse at its iconic demonic imagery instantly reveals this connection. The game's signature blend of flames, skulls, and devilish creatures echoes the aesthetic of any Iron Maiden stage, past or present. This bond with the heavier side of music has evolved in tandem with the series' gameplay, both of which have reinvented themselves multiple times over Doom's 30-year history. From its thrash metal roots, Doom has ventured through various metal sub-genres, culminating in the present-day Doom: The Dark Ages, which delivers powerful metalcore influences.
In 1993, the original Doom's soundtrack drew inspiration from the major metal bands of the late 80s and early 90s. Co-creator John Romero has openly acknowledged the significant influence of bands like Pantera and Alice in Chains, evident in the game's score. For example, the track "Untitled" used in the E3M1: Hell Keep level, features a riff strikingly similar to Pantera's "Mouth of War." The wider Doom score embraces elements of the thrash subgenre, digitally recreating the sound of Metallica and Anthrax. This pulsing soundtrack propelled players through Mars' corridors, seamlessly integrating demonic enemies into the experience, much like a guitar solo in a metal song. Thrash was fast, direct, and urgent, resonating with the impact of Doom's shotgun and BFG upon its release. Composer Bobby Prince's timeless soundtrack perfectly complements the game's unforgettable gunplay.
Doom: The Dark Ages - Gameplay Screenshots
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For over a decade, Doom's music continued to harmonize with its fast-paced gameplay. However, 2004's Doom 3 introduced a survival horror-inspired reinvention, taking risks with a new, slower pace that demanded a different sound. The main theme of Doom 3 could be likened to a bonus track on Tool's 2001 album, Lateralus. Although Trent Reznor was initially sought to orchestrate Doom 3's sound design, it was Chris Vrenna and Clint Walsh who ultimately composed the score, drawing from Tool's style. Their approach, with its intricate time signatures and eerie soundscapes, perfectly complemented the game's sci-fi horror atmosphere.
Despite being a commercial success, Doom 3's design is now seen as an anomaly within the series, reflecting the broader evolution of FPS games during the early 2000s. As titles like Call of Duty and Halo transformed the genre, Doom adapted alongside them. This period also saw metal music navigating changes, with the nu-metal era giving way to new sounds. Doom 3's Tool-inspired soundtrack was a fitting choice, enhancing its unsettling tone and making it a notable experiment within the franchise.
After Doom 3, the series faced a period of development challenges. The scrapped Doom 4 project led to a fresh start, culminating in the 2016 release of Doom, which revitalized the series. Directors Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin returned the Slayer to Mars, embracing the original game's momentum with a soundtrack by Mick Gordon. Gordon's score, featuring sub-bass frequencies and white noise, created a heart-pounding experience that resonated with the game's intense action. Doom 2016's soundtrack, reminiscent of the djent subgenre, has been celebrated as one of the finest in video game history.
The challenge of following up such a successful soundtrack was met with Doom Eternal in 2020. Although Mick Gordon returned, complications arose, resulting in a soundtrack that wasn't entirely his work. Nonetheless, Gordon's influence is evident, as the tracks evolved from Doom 2016's, leaning more into the metalcore genre prevalent in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Gordon's work with British metalcore bands like Bring Me the Horizon and Architects is reflected in Doom Eternal's score, which incorporates crushing breakdowns and electronic elements. This shift in sound parallels the game's more experimental design, including platforming and puzzle sections.
Doom: The Dark Ages introduces a new chapter, promising to blend the series' history with fresh gameplay mechanics. The slower pace compared to Doom Eternal's rapid movement is reflected in its combat, which encourages direct confrontation with a shield reminiscent of Captain America. This approach harkens back to the original Doom's corridor-based encounters but expands them dramatically with mechs and dragons. The soundtrack, crafted by Finishing Move, draws from both past and present metal influences, combining the heavy breakdowns of bands like Knocked Loose with the thrash elements of the 1993 Doom.
While the full scope of The Dark Ages' gameplay remains to be seen, the addition of mythological creatures and giant mechs suggests a bold evolution. This mirrors the experimental nature of modern metal, which has embraced a range of influences from electronic to hyperpop. For Doom fans, this is an exciting time, as The Dark Ages aims to excel in areas where the series has always shone, with gunplay remaining paramount. As Doom continues to evolve, its soundtrack remains a vital component, setting the stage for thrilling encounters and potentially delivering another standout metal album with its May release.
