Doom's Combat Evolution Mirrors Modern Metal Music Trends

The Doom series has long been synonymous with the pulsating energy of metal music. A mere glimpse of its iconic demonic imagery or a brief listen to its soundtrack instantly evokes the spirit of the genre. The visual spectacle of flames, skulls, and devilish creatures in Doom mirrors the intense stage setups of legendary bands like Iron Maiden. This deep connection with metal has evolved alongside Doom's gameplay, both undergoing multiple reinventions over the franchise's 30-year history. From its roots in thrash metal, Doom has ventured through various metal sub-genres, culminating in the latest installment, Doom: The Dark Ages, with its powerful metalcore influences.

In 1993, the original Doom's soundtrack drew heavily from the metal giants of the late 80s and early 90s. Co-creator John Romero has openly cited influences like Pantera and Alice in Chains, which are evident in tracks like "Untitled" for the E3M1: Hell Keep level, featuring a riff strikingly similar to Pantera's "Mouth of War." The wider Doom score embraced thrash, echoing the sounds of Metallica and Anthrax, propelling players through Mars' corridors with a sense of urgency that mirrored the game's fast-paced action. Composer Bobby Prince's timeless soundtrack perfectly complemented Doom's iconic gunplay.

Doom: The Dark Ages - Gameplay Screenshots

6 Images

For over a decade, Doom's music continued to harmonize with its gameplay, until the experimental Doom 3 emerged in 2004. This survival horror-inspired game introduced a slower, more deliberate pace, necessitating a new sound. id Software sought inspiration from progressive metal, resulting in a main theme reminiscent of Tool's 2001 album, Lateralus. Although Trent Reznor was initially considered for the project, it was Chris Vrenna and Clint Walsh who ultimately crafted a score that perfectly complemented Doom 3's eerie atmosphere. While Doom 3's design was considered an anomaly among its peers, its soundtrack was a fitting experiment that reflected the evolving nature of both FPS games and metal music in the early 2000s.

After a period of development challenges, Doom returned in 2016 with a complete facelift, embracing the momentum of its 1993 origins. Directors Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin, along with composer Mick Gordon, created a soundtrack that was both heart-shaking and innovative, incorporating elements of djent and pushing the boundaries of both the shooter and metal genres. Doom 2016's score has become one of the most celebrated in video game history, setting a high bar for its sequel, Doom Eternal.

Doom Eternal, released in 2020, saw Gordon's return, though the final soundtrack was a result of complex negotiations with id Software. The score leaned further into metalcore, reflecting the genre's dominance in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Gordon's work with bands like Bring Me the Horizon and Architects influenced Eternal's soundtrack, which featured crushing breakdowns and electronic elements. While still heavy, Eternal's soundtrack felt lighter than its predecessor, mirroring the game's inclusion of platforming and puzzle sections.

Doom: The Dark Ages introduces a refreshed combat system, suggesting a need for a soundtrack that can match its brutality while remaining adaptable. New composers Finishing Move, known for their work on Borderlands 3 and The Callisto Protocol, are drawing from a wide range of metal influences, past and present. The Dark Ages' slower pace and new mechanics, like the Captain America-like shield, reflect the original Doom's design while expanding it dramatically with mechs and fire-breathing dragons. The soundtrack, featuring seismic breakdowns reminiscent of Knocked Loose combined with thrash-like moments, promises to be both heavy and dynamic.

As Doom: The Dark Ages builds on the series' legacy and introduces exciting new elements like mythological creatures and giant mechs, it parallels the evolution of modern metal music. The genre's willingness to experiment with electronic, hip-hop, and hyperpop elements is mirrored in Doom's gameplay innovations. With its gunplay at the forefront, Doom: The Dark Ages promises to deliver a thrilling experience, both in its gameplay and its metal-inspired soundtrack, potentially offering fans a new favorite "album" to enjoy in May.