Sludge metal (sometimes referred to simply as "
sludge") is an
extreme genre of music that melds elements of
doom metal and
hardcore punk, and sometimes
Southern rock. Sludge metal is typically harsh and abrasive, often featuring shouted or screamed vocals, heavily
distorted instruments and sharply contrasting
tempos. While the style was anticipated by the
Melvins from
Washington, many of its earliest pioneers were from the city of
New Orleans.