What it is, what to hear first, and what sits next to it.
Sludge metal is a subgenre of Metal that melds elements of doom metal, noise rock and hardcore punk; sometimes southern rock. Sludge metal is typically acetic, corrosive, abrasive and highly vitriolic. It combines the slow tempos, heavy rhythms, dark instrumentals and pessimistic atmosphere of Doom Metal with the aggression, shouted vocals/harsh screams and occasional fast tempos of Hardcore Punk. A typical sludge song places heavy emphasis on guitar feedback, groovy riffs, and angry, pained vocals. .