The difference, in figures
Black metal is clearly faster (+4), clearly heavier (+3) and clearly less melodic (−3) than Stoner rock. It emerged in 1982, 8 years before Stoner rock in 1990. They sit on opposite branches of the tree and share no common ancestor.
Stoner rock
Where it sits
Rock › Blues rock › Hard rock › Stoner rock
In short
Thick down-tuned riffs, groovy drums and a fuzz tone. Born at generator parties in the desert.
How it sounds
- Down-tuned guitars with thick, warm fuzz rather than sharp distortion.
- Mid-tempo groove with drums that sway instead of hitting.
- Analogue production, usually with vintage amps and no drum triggers.
Key acts
- Kyuss
- Fu Manchu
- Queens of the Stone Age
- Truckfighters
Start here
The pickKyuss - Blues for the Red Sun. That guitar tone has been copied for thirty years.
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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