How to Write Drone Metal Songs

You want to build earthquakes with guitars. You want held notes that vibrate the fillings in your molars. You want a song that dissolves time and feels like a cathedral collapsing slowly and majestically. Drone metal is not about speed. Drone metal is about mass, weight and the gospel of volume. This guide gives you practical steps, sound design tricks and songwriting moves you can use whether you are in a rehearsal room with three amps or in your bedroom with an amp simulator and a bad attitude.

Everything below is written for artists who want results fast. We will cover concept and feeling, tunings, gear choices, amp and cab physics, effects and signal chains, playing techniques, arrangement and songwriting patterns, production and mixing tips, stage setup, safety and ear protection, and a list of exercises that will build your drone muscle. We will explain every acronym and every weird term so you can sound like you know what you are doing without pretending you invented feedback.

What Is Drone Metal

Drone metal is a sub style of heavy music that focuses on sustained notes, massive tone and slow evolution. It strips away the riff churn of classic metal and replaces it with extended tones, feedback textures and repetition that creates a trance like weight. Think of crushing slow tempos, low tunings, long notes and effects that hang in the air like fog. Bands you probably know from listening around are Sunn O))) which is basically the movement s mascot, Earth which added a blues logic to the approach, Boris from Japan that blends noise and melody, and Nadja which weaves ambient darkness into doom like mass. Each band makes different choices but they share a love of long durations and extreme low frequency content.

Drone metal is not ambient background music. Drone metal asks for attention. It asks the listener to resist the urge to check their phone. The payoff is heavy catharsis and a feeling that the world was slightly rearranged by sound.

Core Elements of Drone Metal

• Low tuning. The songs live in the bottom end of the frequency spectrum. Expect tunings that go well below standard guitar tuning.
• Sustain and feedback. Long notes, heavy distortion and controlled feedback are the main textures.
• Slow tempos and long forms. Songs unfold slowly. A three minute song in drone metal is a short thought.
• Dynamics and density. The music uses small shifts in texture to create huge emotional changes. Silence and near silence matter as much as full on crush.
• Effects as composition. Reverb, delay, pitch shift and modulation are instruments in their own right.
• Physicality. Loud volume and low frequencies create a bodily experience that matters for both writing and live performance.

What You Need to Start

You do not need boutique gear to write a great drone metal song. You do need two things. First you need low frequency power. Second you need patience.

Basic gear checklist

• Guitar with heavy gauge strings or a baritone guitar. The goal is to keep low notes tight and audible.
• Bass guitar or a second low tuned guitar to reinforce sub bass.
• Amplifier or amp simulator with a high gain path and lots of headroom for low frequencies.
• Cabinet or speaker capable of moving air. Sub frequencies are physical. Small speakers will not create the same feeling.
• Effects pedals or plugins. Fuzz, octave, pitch shifter, reverb and delay are essential. A ring modulator or frequency shifter works for noise textures.
• Digital audio workstation. DAW stands for digital audio workstation. This is software where you record, edit and mix your song. If you do not have access to a hardware rig you can do a lot with software amp sims and plugins.
• Good monitoring or a way to check low end on a phone speaker. Sub frequency translation is tricky. You need to hear what the bass is doing.

Choosing Tunings and Instruments

Tuning is everything in drone metal. Standard tuning is rarely low enough. Here are common tuning choices and what they do for your sound.

Standard modal choices

• Drop B or lower. Drop B tuning is common because it gives a heavy open low string. If you want more mass tune lower.
• Baritone scale. A baritone guitar has a longer scale length that keeps low notes tight. It is a luxury that simplifies low tuning without flabby strings.
• Bass guitar doubling. Using a bass to double the lowest note makes the sub frequencies readable on small systems and strengthens the physical impact in a room.
• Prepared guitars. Some artists add additional objects to strings to create harsher overtones and longer sustain.

Real life example

You tune your guitar to B F B E G B with heavy strings. You pluck the lowest string and it feels like a tractor. Sit with that note. Think about melody as a small movement around that drone. The songwriting starts with that single note as a gravitational center.

Tone and Amplification

Tone in drone metal is about mass not sparkle. You want harmonics that stack and a distortion that sustains instead of chokes. Here are tone building rules you can use.

Amp and cab tips

• Use an amp or an amp sim that can deliver clean wattage. Low notes need headroom. If everything is compressed and muddy then the clarity of the drone disappears.
• Pair a big tube amp with a large cabinet if you have the luxury. 4 by 12 cabinets can move a lot of air. If you live in an apartment use an amp sim and a subwoofer.
• Consider a dedicated bass amp for the lowest octave if you want to share the low end with a guitar amp that handles mids and highs.

Distortion and fuzz

Not every distortion is created equal. Fuzz tends to create harmonics that sustain. High gain amps produce all the upper harmonic texture but can lose low end clarity. Try this signal chain and then experiment.

1. Guitar into fuzz or heavy overdrive to create harmonic richness.
2. Into an octave up or down if you want to thicken or add a ghostly sub layer.
3. Into the amp or amp sim. Dial gain so the note sustains. If the low end collapses reduce the low end on the fuzz and lift the amp volume.
4. Use a reverb after distortion to place the sound in space. Reverb length often becomes composition. Long reverb tails can overlap and create chordal textures from single notes.

Real life scenario

Try an old style fuzz that fattens the low octave and a slight octave down effect that creates a sub layer. When you hit a note the octave gives a sense of another instrument supporting the same tone. The room vibrates. That is drone.

Effects and Texture Design

Effects are not decoration in drone metal. They are instruments. Treat them like instruments and sequence them with intention.

Key effects to master

• Reverb. Use cathedral like spaces or plate reverbs that smear time. Reverb creates sustaining clouds that let notes overlap into chords.
• Delay. Long analog or tape style delays create rhythmic echoes that can become percussion when the tempo is slow.
• Pitch shifters and octave. Add sub octaves for extra weight or higher octaves for shimmering harmonics.
• Ring modulation. Use for metallic textures and unpleasant but haunting tones.
• Frequency shifters. Small shifts create beating between notes and a sense of movement inside a held tone.
• Phaser and flanger. Use subtly to add motion to a sustained tone.

Order matters. Distortion before reverb gives a different result than reverb before distortion. Usually you will drive your sound first and then place it in space. But do not be dogmatic. Try both and pick what moves you.

Playing Techniques

Playing drone metal requires control. Speed helps no one here. Focus on touch, picking dynamics and controlled feedback.

Attack and sustain

Hit the string in a way that the note rings long and even. Sometimes using a heavy pick or even a glass slide helps sustain. Palm muting can be used as a sculpting tool where you mute slightly to control overtones and then release for a massive bloom.

Feedback and harmonics

Move your guitar closer to your amp to coax feedback. Harmonics created by feedback can become the central motif. Learn the zones on your neck where feedback harmonics are most musical. Use volume knobs on the guitar to cleanly enter and exit feedback states.

Prepared playing

Add an e bow to sustain single strings infinitely. Use bowing with a violin bow for long bowed tones. Insert objects on strings to produce mechanical overtones. These techniques create unique textures that can define a song.

Songwriting Approaches

Drone metal songwriting is not about verse chorus verse chorus. It is about shapes in time and the emotional arc of density and light. Here are reliable approaches.

Approach A: Single drone build

Start with one note or chord that you hold for minutes. Slowly introduce harmonic content by changing effects, adding another guitar or introducing a bass rumble. The arc is from thin to thick and then perhaps back to thin.
Timeline idea

• 0 to 90 seconds: single drone with light reverb
• 90 to 240 seconds: second guitar enters with an octave harmony and increased fuzz
• 240 to 360 seconds: full density with bass, cymbal wash and layered reverbs
• 360 seconds onward: release to near silence or an unresolved open string

Approach B: Patterned drone

Use a repeating motif like a slow picked arpeggio or a repeated harmonic that becomes hypnotic. The delay and reverb turn the pattern into a web. Build variables like adding a slight pitch shift on every third repetition to create tension.

Approach C: Dynamic contrast

Combine sections of near silence or clean tones with sections of heavy saturation. The contrast gives the heavy parts extra violence. Place a vocal or a percussive hit at the transition to create a dramatic seam.

Harmony and Melody in a Low World

Harmony in drone metal is often derived from overtone interactions rather than chord progression. That means two notes that are simple intervals can create complex harmonic material when heavily distorted and reverbed.

• Perfect fifths and octaves are the foundation. They sit well with distortion and produce strong beating harmonics.
• Minor second or clusters can create dissonant texture that feels volcanic when sustained.
• Open strings give a droning reference. Tune open strings to a pitch center and play around that anchor.

Try this experiment. Tune two guitars to the same root. Play a perfect fifth on one while the other holds the root. Let the reverb blur them together. After one minute add a slightly detuned third on top. The detuned third will create slow phasing that is musical chaos.

Rhythm, Tempo and Groove

Tempo in drone metal is typically slow. But slow does not mean directionless. Choose a tempo and commit. The tempo becomes the slow pulse that anchors all effects and delayed echoes.

• Do not rush ramps. If you plan to increase intensity over three minutes do it slowly. Rapid jumps feel clumsy in this style.
• Use percussive elements sparingly. A single heavy kick or a metallic hit can act like punctuation.
• Delay rhythms. Set your delay to very long times so repeats fall as slow pulses that sound like echoing footsteps.

Vocals and Lyrics

Vocals in drone metal are optional. When used they are textures rather than hooks. Styles include low chants, spoken word, guttural vocals, or clean ethereal voices buried in reverb. Decide what role vocal content has before you write lyrics.

Lyric themes

Themes that work well are vastness, ritual, decay, geological time, cosmic dread and introspective obsession. Use sparse language. A single repeated line can be more powerful than a verse with many images.

Example lyric idea

Single line repeated across five minutes: The stone remembers me. Each repetition gains a new effect or doubles in harmony. Small change huge impact.

Arrangement and Dynamics

Arrange by texture not by classic pop sections. Think about layers coming in and out and the dynamic envelope of each layer. Create peaks that are not necessarily loud in RMS sense but are bright in harmonic content.

• Layering. Start with a thin layer and add successive layers of harmonics, noise or percussion.
• Sculpting with EQ. Cut or boost narrow bands to reveal different harmonic components at different times.
• Automation. Automate reverb sends, delay feedback or low end to create movement without playing notes.

Recording and Production Tips

Capturing low frequencies and heavy sustain is a skill. You want the power to translate from the amp to the recording without turning into mud.

Mic choices and placement

• Use a dynamic mic like an SM57 on the cone for mid presence and a large diaphragm condenser at some distance for room and reverb pickup.
• Place a subwoofer mic or contact mic on the cabinet to capture low end body. If you do not have a sub mic you can blend a DI low end with a miked amp to maintain clarity.
• Experiment with distance. Move the room mic out until the low end is full. The room will add natural reverb and sustain.

DI and re amp

Record a DI track for full flexibility. You can re amp later to try different amp settings without losing the performance. DI stands for direct input and captures a clean signal before amp color.

Mixing low end

Low frequency mix control is crucial. Use these rules.

• High pass everything except bass and the lowest guitar to remove rumble and maintain clarity.
• Use multiband compression to tame the sub range if it is booming on some notes but not others.
• Sidechain a sub bass track slightly ducking under the kick or a percussive hit if you use percussion so the low hits remain defined.
• Use EQ to carve space. If two layers are fighting around 80 Hertz move one layer up or down or use harmonic enhancers to give the illusion of sub without muddying real low end.

Reverb and delay in the mix

Long reverbs take space. Use pre delay to separate the attack from the reverb tail. Too much reverb on everything creates a wash where nothing reads. Use sends so you can vary reverb amount by layer and automate the send for dramatic growth.

Mastering and Loudness

Drone metal benefits from loudness but not at the cost of dynamics. If the master makes everything a flat wall you lose the thrill of changes.

• Preserve dynamic peaks. Limit gently. Peak limiting that crushes the song will remove the sense of mass change.
• Use tonal balancing. If the mastering chain makes the lows boom too much on systems that do not handle bass, consider a gentle multiband shelf to tame problem regions.

Live Performance and Safety

Playing drone metal live is a physical act. It can destroy speakers and ears. Plan accordingly.

• Use ear protection. Low frequencies can damage hearing. High quality ear plugs protect without flattening the experience.
• Communicate with the front of house. Low end needs careful handling from the house mixer. If possible bring your own engineer who knows the music.
• Stage volume matters. Cranking on stage can create feedback loops that you control. Make sure wedges and monitor levels are set so you can hear but are not creating uncontrollable feedback.
• Protect your equipment. Sub frequencies can rattle screws loose. Secure everything and check after sound check.

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem: Sound is muddy and notes disappear

Fix: Check your strings and tuning. Heavy strings and proper intonation keep low notes clear. Use a mix of DI and miked amp and carve with EQ. Reduce competing frequencies in other tracks.

Problem: No perceived low end on headphones

Fix: Use an octave effect to add harmonic content in higher bands. Sub frequencies need translation on small systems. Use harmonic exciters or distortion to add mid range presence.

Problem: Reverb turns everything into soup

Fix: Use pre delay to allow the initial attack to cut through. Reduce wet amount on important parts. Send different instruments to different reverb spaces to retain separation.

Problem: Live feedback is uncontrollable

Fix: Train your position relative to your amp. Use volume knob transitions to enter feedback gently. Add a noise gate in front of pedals for sections where you need silence.

Exercises and Workflows

Practice builds taste. Here are drills that develop drone skills fast.

Exercise 1. Single note endurance

1. Choose one low note on a low tuned guitar.
2. Play the note at a comfortable volume and hold for one minute while adjusting palm damp and picking pressure to maintain steady sustain.
3. Repeat for three sessions gradually increasing length and adding a tiny amount of distortion on each pass.

Exercise 2. Texture layering

1. Record a single drone for 60 seconds with light reverb.
2. Duplicate the track and add an octave down with heavy fuzz. Pan one left and one right for width.
3. Add a third track with a reversed reverb tail. Let this third track swell before the drone note then sit under it.
4. Listen for beating and phase. Make small timing nudges until the blend creates a rich mass.

Exercise 3. Dynamics map

1. Sketch a five minute piece on paper as a line graph of density. Mark where layers enter or exit.
2. Make a quick demo with three layers and use automation to match your map.
3. Play back at low volume and at loud volume and notice which changes land. Tweak accordingly.

Exercise 4. Vocal treatment

1. Record one line whispered and one line screamed. Keep both takes short.
2. Run whispered take through heavy reverb and pitch shift to create an otherworldly chant.
3. Blend the screamed take buried in the reverb so it becomes texture not front of stage content.

Inspirations and Listening Guide

Listen with focus. Here are records that will teach you different angles of drone metal.

• Sunn O))) material for pure drone mass and performance ritual.
• Earth early albums for a blues informed slow logic.
• Boris for variety from noise to melody inside slow exploration.
• Nadja for ambient and drone tone layering with shoegaze sensibility.
• Isis for how slow heaviness can still be structured and melodic.

Take notes when you listen. Note how long a section lasts, where effects change and how the low end is balanced against mid range.

Songwriting Template You Can Steal

Use this template to write your first serious drone metal composition.

1. Pick a root note and tune guitars so open strings support it.
2. Create a two minute foundation drone with light reverb and sparse delay.
3. Add a second guitar with an octave up to add harmonic shimmer at minute two.
4. Introduce a bass reinforcement at minute three and slightly change the interval to a fifth for tension.
5. At minute four slowly increase distortion and send reverb feedback amount to create a swell.
6. At minute five drop everything to near silence with a single clean sustained harmonic for contrast.
7. Repeat the structure and add a vocal chant on the final cycle if desired.

Common Terms and Acronyms Explained

• DAW. Stands for digital audio workstation. It is the software where you record and edit your tracks.
• DI. Stands for direct input. It is a clean signal taken from your instrument before amp coloration.
• EQ. Stands for equalizer. It allows you to boost or cut frequency bands in a sound.
• RMS. Root mean square. It is a way to measure perceived loudness across time.
• Octave. A pitch relationship where one note vibrates at double the frequency of the other. Octaves stack well in drone music to add weight or shimmer.

Action Plan You Can Use Today

1. Choose one low tuning and set it on your guitar. Heavy balls here. Lock it in before you do anything else.
2. Make a single drone track for two minutes with basic distortion and reverb. Let it ring and listen for problems.
3. Duplicate the track and add an octave or a harmonizer. Pan them slightly for width.
4. Add a bass reinforcement with a simple sustained root note to glue the low end.
5. Mix by carving small EQ holes in the mid range and automating reverb sends to create movement across time.
6. Play it live at controlled volume with ear protection and test one change at a time. Less is more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is drone metal

Drone metal is heavy music centered on sustained tones, extreme low tunings and extended time forms. It focuses on texture and mass rather than speed or flashy riffing.

Do I need expensive gear to write drone metal

No. You need low frequency control and patience more than the most expensive amp. Amp simulators and an amp friendly plugin paired with a sub or a good set of headphones allow you to compose effectively. A baritone guitar or heavier strings will make tuning easier if you plan to play very low.

How long should a drone metal song be

There is no rule. Many songs are long because the music evolves slowly. Aim for the length that serves the idea. A quiet drone that evolves in texture for eight minutes is fine if the evolution justifies the time.

How do I avoid mud when recording low frequencies

Use a combination of DI and miked amp to preserve clarity. Use EQ to remove clashing frequencies and use multiband compression to tame boomy notes. Small changes in microphone placement can solve a lot.

What vocal style fits drone metal

Chanting, low spoken word and sustained clean singing buried deep in reverb all work. Vocals often act as another texture. Choose a style that supports the atmosphere rather than stealing attention away from the drones.