If you love The Doors, you’ll (probably) love these 12 artists

If you're drawn to The Doors for their dark and edgy vibe ("Father, I want to kill you..."), poetic lyrics, and fusion of rock with mysticism and theatricality, you might enjoy exploring these bands and artists with similar qualities. Why not start with some other older classic rock bands?

1. The Velvet Underground

Known for their avant-garde style, dark themes, and Lou Reed's brooding lyrics, there is definitely something different about this band. Their music often delves into taboo topics with a raw, unfiltered edge.

Recommended Album: The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967).

The Doors would fit in with these metal giants

2. Black Sabbath

Often credited as the pioneers of heavy metal, it's sometimes forgotten that Sabbath also feature elements of blues rock and have a poetic side, too. And hey, Tony Iommi doesn't just write mega-riffs; he plays blazing leads! Just as important for this list: Black Sabbath's music combines eerie melodies with dark and philosophical themes., which is 1,000% what The Doors. fans would say about that iconic band. This band is basically over, but their music lives on!

Recommended Album: Paranoid (1970).

Other psychedelic greats

3. Pink Floyd

Some might say Pink Floyd are less overtly dark than The Doors, but that is debatable. Pink Floyd's introspective lyrics and experimental soundscapes often explore existential and psychological themes.

Recommended Album: The Dark Side of the Moon (1973).

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4. Jefferson Airplane

Psychedelic rock with a darker, surreal edge, particularly on tracks like “White Rabbit,” which explore themes of escapism and altered states of consciousness. This is definitely a band that transformed rock and roll. This pick almost seems too obvious, but what can I say? It fits! Follow the White Rabbit with Jefferson Airplane!

Recommended Album: Surrealistic Pillow (1967), which contains the familiar rabbit track as well as "Somebody to Love."

Post-punk and gothic rock

5. Joy Division

Known for their atmospheric sound and Ian Curtis’s haunting vocals, their music channels existential despair and introspection. There are definitely Morrison-esque lyrics, such as "Asylums with doors open wide, where people had paid to see inside, for entertainment they watch his body twist, behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist.'" (From the song "Atrocity Exhibition.") Their songs also often tell real-life stories, which makes the band even more serious.

Recommended Album: Unknown Pleasures (1979).

6. Bauhaus

Pioneers of gothic rock with a theatrical, shadowy aesthetic, and their breakout hit "Bela Lugosi's Dead." Their music often includes eerie vocals and experimental arrangements. Though The Doors were often more subtle with their "horror" elements, they were definitely still there.

Recommended Album: In the Flat Field (1980).

7. Siouxsie and the Banshees

Their sound combines punk and gothic influences with an intense and otherworldly atmosphere, led by Siouxsie Sioux's dramatic vocals. They were called "one of the most audacious and uncompromising musical adventurers of the post-punk era."

Recommended Album: Juju (1981).

More modern comparisons

8. Nick Cave (and the Bad Seeds) i

Nick Cave (and the Bad Seeds) is one of those musical entities people have maybe heard of but often have not heard. Obviously, Cave is not totally unknown, as he's collaborated with Johnny Cash. Still, it somehow seems many would overlook him on such a list.

Cave's songs are renowned for their brooding storytelling, dark romanticism, and gothic sensibilities. The lyrics often tread between beauty and despair. Also, one of his most well-known songs sounds at least a bit like The Doors...

Recommended Album: Murder Ballads (1996).

9. Radiohead

Radiohead are often fairly dark, with their exploration of alienation, paranoia, and modern existentialism aligns with the introspective elements of The Doors.

Recommended Album: OK Computer (1997).

10. The Black Angels

A modern psych-rock band heavily influenced by The Doors, they weave hypnotic rhythms with dark, political, and introspective lyrics.

Recommended Album: Passover (2006).

11. The Dead Weather

A supergroup fronted by Alison Mosshart and Jack White, their raw, bluesy rock is infused with a gritty, dark energy, with songs like "Hang You from the Heavens."

Recommended Album: Horehound (2009).

12. Arctic Monkeys (later work)

Albums like AM (2013) and Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018) bring a moody, noir-inspired approach to their indie rock style.

Not every song by every band on this list is based on specific elements of The Doors' music, such as Morrison’s poetic lyrics or organ-driven melodies. Still, it's safe to say many of these band's songs would go together well on a playlist featuring The Doors.