Doom metal is a form of
heavy metal music that typically uses slower
tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres. Both the music and the lyrics intend to evoke a sense of despair, dread, and impending doom. The genre is strongly influenced by the early work of
Black Sabbath, who formed a prototype for doom metal with songs such as "
Black Sabbath","
Children of the Grave", "
Electric Funeral" and "
Into the Void". During the first half of the 1980s, a number of bands from England (
Pagan Altar,
Witchfinder General), the United States (
Pentagram,
Saint Vitus,
Trouble) and Sweden (
Candlemass,
Count Raven) defined doom metal as a distinct genre.