The difference, in figures
Black metal is far heavier (+5), clearly faster (+4) and clearly less melodic (−3) than Deathrock. It emerged in 1982, 3 years after Deathrock in 1979. They sit on opposite branches of the tree and share no common ancestor.
Deathrock
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Post-punk › Gothic rock › Deathrock
In short
The American version, more punk and more theatrical, with tribal drums and horror-movie imagery.
How it sounds
- Tribal drumming with heavy toms and bass up front.
- Guitar with tremolo and surf reverb, but in minor keys.
- Theatrical, near-recitative vocals with horror-film imagery.
Key acts
- Christian Death
- 45 Grave
- Kommunity FK
Start here
The pickChristian Death - Only Theatre of Pain. Rozz Williams was nineteen when he wrote it.
Full page →Black metal
Where it sits
In short
Tremolo picking, blast beats, shrieked vocals and deliberately cold production. More an aesthetic than a technique - atmosphere matters more than clean sound.
How it sounds
- Tremolo picking on open fifth voicings, with vocals in the high register.
- Deliberately thin, cold production - the missing bass is an aesthetic choice, not an accident.
- Fast blast beats, drums often mixed back, atmosphere placed above technique.
Key acts
- Bathory
- Mayhem
- Darkthrone
- Emperor
Start here
The pickDarkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky. The production is intentional, not a flaw.
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