Haunted

Haunted is an Italian doom metal outfit hailing from Catania, Sicily, though often associated with the broader European occult rock and stoner metal scenes. Formed around 2016, the band quickly established a signature sound characterized by 'sub-sabbathian' riffs and a heavy emphasis on atmospheric density.

Their sonic identity is built on the interplay between the massive, down-tuned guitar work of Francesco Bauso and Francesco Orlando and the distinctive, ethereal vocal style of Cristina Chimirri. Unlike many of their contemporaries who lean into the 'retro-rock' aesthetic, Haunted maintains a murkier, more somber tone that aligns them with the darker side of the doom spectrum. Their career arc saw a significant milestone with their self-titled LP on Twin Earth Records, which garnered critical praise for its production clarity and emotional weight. Influenced by the foundational doom of Black Sabbath and the psychedelic sludge of Electric Wizard, they occupy a space similar to Windhand or Jex Thoth, where the 'banshee' vocal archetype meets crushing instrumentation. Critical consensus highlights their ability to maintain a sense of melody within a suffocatingly heavy framework, making them a staple for collectors of modern occult doom and atmospheric metal.