Doom's Combat Evolution Mirrors Modern Metal Music Trends

The Doom series has long been intertwined with the world of metal music, a connection that's evident from the moment you hear its iconic soundtracks or see its signature demonic imagery. The game's aesthetic, filled with flames, skulls, and devilish creatures, mirrors the visual flair of an Iron Maiden concert. This bond with heavy music has evolved alongside Doom's gameplay, both undergoing multiple reinventions over the franchise's 30-year history. From its thrash metal roots, Doom has ventured through various metal sub-genres, culminating in the latest installment, Doom: The Dark Ages, which delivers powerful metalcore influences.

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

Doom: The Dark Ages - Gameplay Screenshots

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For over a decade, Doom's music continued to sync with its gameplay, until the experimental Doom 3 emerged in 2004. This survival horror-inspired game took risks, including a controversial flashlight mechanic that was later removed. Doom 3's slower pace necessitated a new sound, leading id Software to seek fresh inspiration. The main theme of Doom 3 could easily fit on Tool's 2001 album, Lateralus. Although Trent Reznor was initially considered for the sound design, it was Chris Vrenna and Clint Walsh who ultimately composed the theme, drawing from Tool's complex soundscapes to match the game's eerie atmosphere.

Despite its commercial success, Doom 3's design is seen as an anomaly within the series, reflecting the broader evolution of FPS games during the early 2000s. This period also saw metal music navigating its own changes, with the rise of nu-metal and the emergence of bands like Slipknot and Deftones. Doom 3's soundtrack, influenced by Tool, was a fitting experiment that aligned well with its tone, even if it didn't become a classic like Lateralus.

After Doom 3, the series faced a development hiatus, eventually returning with a complete overhaul in 2016. Directors Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin revitalized the franchise, with Mick Gordon's soundtrack becoming a standout feature. His use of sub-bass frequencies and white noise created a heart-pounding score that complemented the game's fast-paced action. Doom 2016's soundtrack, often described as a playable djent album, has been celebrated as one of the best in video game history.

Gordon returned for Doom Eternal in 2020, though the soundtrack's creation was fraught with complications. Despite this, his influence is evident, with the music leaning further into the metalcore genre, reflecting the era's musical trends. Doom Eternal's soundtrack, while still heavy, feels lighter than its predecessor, mirroring the game's inclusion of platforming and puzzle elements.

Personally, Doom 2016 remains my favorite in the series, much like my preference for the raw, unrefined work of metalcore bands from that time. Doom Eternal, while excellent, doesn't resonate with me in the same way, similar to how newer albums from bands like Architects don't quite match the impact of their earlier work.

Doom: The Dark Ages introduces a new chapter with refreshed combat mechanics, as showcased in the recent Xbox Developer Direct. The game's slower pace and new features, like a Captain America-like shield, suggest a return to the original Doom's corridor-based combat but on a grander scale with mechs and dragons. The soundtrack, crafted by Finishing Move, draws from both past and present metal influences, blending the heavy breakdowns of bands like Knocked Loose with thrash-like elements reminiscent of the 1993 original.

The Dark Ages promises to build on the Doom series' legacy, incorporating exciting new elements like mythological creatures and giant mechs. This evolution mirrors the experimental trends in modern metal music, from electronic and hip-hop influences to unexpected genre blends. As Doom continues to push boundaries, its soundtrack remains a crucial element, enhancing the game's intense combat and setting the stage for what could be another landmark entry in both gaming and metal music.