The difference, in figures
Black metal is far heavier (+5), clearly less melodic (−3) and slightly faster (+1) than Psychobilly. It emerged in 1982, 2 years after Psychobilly in 1980. They sit on opposite branches of the tree and share no common ancestor.
Psychobilly
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Psychobilly
In short
Rockabilly with slapped upright bass, punk speed and lyrics about monsters. Quiff haircut mandatory.
How it sounds
- Slapped upright bass played hard, as a percussion instrument.
- Rockabilly reverb on the guitar, with punk speed and aggression.
- Quiff haircuts, tattoos and lyrics about monsters, cars and the morgue.
Key acts
- The Meteors
- Demented Are Go
- Nekromantix
Start here
The pickThe Meteors - In Heaven. Ground zero, manifesto included.
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 →