Trouble

Formed in Chicago in 1979, Trouble is a foundational pillar of the doom metal genre, often cited alongside Saint Vitus, Pentagram, and Candlemass as part of the 'Big Four.' Their sound identity is built on the 'twin guitar attack' of Bruce Franklin and Rick Wartell, whose down-tuned, fuzzy riffs and melodic solos influenced a generation of metal musicians, including members of Metallica.

The band's early career on Metal Blade Records was marked by the landmark albums Psalm 9 and The Skull, which explored spiritual struggle and addiction. In the 1990s, they transitioned to Rick Rubin's Def American label, shifting toward a stoner-metal sound that incorporated 1960s psychedelic influences. Despite critical acclaim and a significant legacy, commercial success was hindered by label transitions. Eric Wagner's distinct vocal style and the band's 'white metal' tag - a marketing term for their spiritual lyrics - remain their most recognizable cultural markers. They remain essential for understanding the evolution from classic heavy metal to the modern stoner and doom scenes.