The difference, in figures
Black metal is clearly less melodic (−4), clearly faster (+3) and slightly heavier (+2) than Oriental metal. It emerged in 1982, 12 years before Oriental metal in 1994. The two split from Heavy metal.
Oriental metal
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Folk metal › Oriental metal
In short
Middle Eastern modes, oud and traditional percussion built into progressive or death metal.
How it sounds
- Middle Eastern modes - hijaz, kurd - used as the basis for riffs.
- Oud, saz, darbuka and other traditional instruments built into the arrangements.
- Vocals alternating between Western technique and Eastern melisma.
Key acts
- Orphaned Land
- Melechesh
- Myrath
Start here
The pickOrphaned Land - Mabool. A concept album about the flood, told through three faiths.
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 →