Full Breakdown
Doom Soundtrack Enters the National Recording Registry
5/18/2026, 9:44:25 PM
Core Event: Doom’s Industrial Metal Score Joins the Library of Congress Collection
The original 1993 soundtrack for the first-person shooter *Doom*, composed by Bobby Prince, has been added to the U.S. Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. The Registry, which adds 25 recordings annually, selected the industrial-metal score as a culturally and historically significant audio work.
Background & Context: The Registry’s Purpose and Eligibility Rules
Established to preserve recordings that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically important,” the National Recording Registry accepts any format or genre, provided a recording is at least ten years old. Nominations can be submitted by anyone, and the Library of Congress curates a diverse collection that now exceeds 700 recordings, ranging from The Beatles’ *Sgt. Pepper* to Kermit the Frog’s “The Rainbow Connection.”
Key Figures & Groups: Composer Bobby Prince, Acting Librarian Robert R. Newlen, and the Library of Congress
Bobby Prince created the original *Doom* score, blending heavy metal riffs with atmospheric cues. Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen announced the latest selections, emphasizing the Library’s role in safeguarding audio heritage. The Library of Congress, through the Registry, partners with the recording industry to ensure long-term preservation.
Data & Statistics: Numbers Behind the Selection
- 25 recordings added each year; the 2024 batch includes *Doom* alongside Weezer’s *The Blue Album*, the original Broadway cast recording of *Chicago*, Taylor Swift’s *1989*, and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).”
- Over 700 recordings now reside in the Registry.
- Only two other video-game soundtracks have been honored: C418’s *Minecraft* score (2025) and the “Ground Theme” from *Super Mario Bros.* (2023).
Why It Matters: Video-Game Music Gains Cultural Preservation
The inclusion of *Doom* signals formal recognition of video-game music as a legitimate component of America’s sonic heritage. It validates the artistic contributions of composers who have shaped interactive media and ensures that future generations can study the genre’s evolution alongside traditional music forms.
Official Statements & Responses: Institutional Perspective on the Inclusion
Robert R. Newlen highlighted the Registry’s mission to protect “audio treasures” that reflect daily life and national culture. The Library affirmed its commitment to preserving the *Doom* soundtrack in collaboration with industry partners, underscoring the broader effort to archive diverse sound recordings for posterity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Music and recorded sound are essential, wonderful parts of our daily lives and our national heritage. The National Recording Registry works to preserve our national playlist for generations to come,” — Robert R. Newlen, Acting Librarian of Congress
- “The Library Of Congress is proud to select these audio treasures and will work to preserve them with our partners in the recording industry.” — Robert R. Newlen
- “It’s a Doom game, of course the music has got to be metal,” — Brian Lee White, composer (quoted to NME)
- “no recording is eligible for inclusion into the National Recording Registry until ten years after the recording’s creation.” — National Recording Registry eligibility rule
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No discrepancies or missing information were identified in the available sources regarding the *Doom* soundtrack’s addition.
What’s Next: Ongoing Preservation and Future Additions
The Registry will continue its annual selection process, inviting public nominations and expanding its catalog of culturally significant recordings. Ongoing preservation work will ensure that the *Doom* soundtrack, alongside other landmark audio works, remains accessible for research and public enjoyment.
