The difference, in figures
Black metal is far faster (+5), clearly heavier (+4) and clearly less melodic (−3) than Desert rock. It emerged in 1982, 9 years before Desert rock in 1991. They sit on opposite branches of the tree and share no common ancestor.
Desert rock
Where it sits
Rock › Blues rock › Hard rock › Stoner rock › Desert rock
In short
The hypnotic, jam-based side of stoner rock, with lots of space between the notes and a warm bass tone.
How it sounds
- Long, hypnotic improvisation with loose structures.
- Warm, rounded tone and plenty of space between instruments.
- Frequently instrumental, or with the voice treated as a fourth instrument.
Key acts
- Kyuss
- Yawning Man
- Brant Bjork
Start here
The pickKyuss - Welcome to Sky Valley. It plays as one block rather than as tracks.
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.
Full page →