Pronunciation: [stˈə͡ʊnə mˈɛtə͡l] (IPA) 
Stoner metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that emerged in the 1990s. The term 'stoner' comes from the subculture of cannabis enthusiasts and the music often features sludgy, heavy riffs with psychedelic and blues influences. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /ˈstoʊnər ˈmɛtəl/. The 'o' in 'stoner' is pronounced like the vowel sound in 'go', while the 'a' in 'metal' sounds like the 'a' in 'cat'.
Stoner metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that emerged in the late 1980s and gained significant popularity in the 1990s. It is characterized by a slow, groovy, and heavy sound, heavily influenced by both doom metal and psychedelic rock. The term "stoner" refers to the genre's association with the use of marijuana and its laid-back, hazy atmospheres.
Musically, stoner metal features downtuned, sludgy guitar riffs with a focus on heavy distortion and a thick, fuzzy tone. The tempo is typically slow to mid-paced, allowing for a dense and immersive sound. The rhythms often employ a combination of power chords, palm-muted open strings, and heavily distorted solos. The melodies and song structures are often repetitive and drawn-out, creating a hypnotic and trance-like effect on the listener.
Lyrically, stoner metal tends to explore themes such as escapism, drug culture, nature, and spirituality. The lyrics often reflect a sense of introspection and a desire to connect with the subconscious. While the genre's name suggests a lyrical focus on drug use, it is worth noting that not all bands associated with stoner metal necessarily write about drug-related topics.
Stoner metal bands such as Sleep, Electric Wizard, and Kyuss have been instrumental in shaping and popularizing the genre. Their heavy, sludgy sound combined with influences from psychedelia and blues creates a unique sonic landscape that distinguishes stoner metal from other subgenres of heavy metal.
The term "stoner metal" is believed to have originated in the early 1990s to describe a subgenre of heavy metal/rock music. The etymology is derived from the association of this type of music with the stoner subculture, predominantly characterized by recreational cannabis use.
The word "stoner" itself is derived from the word "stone", which is a colloquial term meaning to become intoxicated or high. In the context of "stoner metal", it refers to the influence of the stoner subculture on the music and the lyrical themes often associated with drug use or the general atmosphere of being under the influence of marijuana.
The origins of stoner metal can be traced back to bands like Black Sabbath and Sleep, who incorporated elements of heavy metal with a slow, sludgy, and psychedelic sound.
