Rockpedia

Compare

Two genres, side by side. The ratings are editorial judgements on a ten-point scale, not measurements. Where they come out level, the difference is in the prose underneath them.

First genre

Black 'n' roll1997

Second genre

First wave1981

Head to headBlack 'n' roll vs First wave
Black 'n' roll: heaviness 7, melody 7, speed 6. First wave: heaviness 8, melody 5, speed 8.Heaviness7 / 8Melody7 / 5Speed6 / 8
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

This is a deliberate return to the first wave's rock-derived sloppiness, made by people who know exactly what they are quoting.

Both are growled or screamed, but first wave is a little faster: 160 to 220 bpm against 140 to 190. To hear the difference, play Darkthrone next to Venom. Both grew out of black metal, first wave first and black 'n' roll sixteen years after.

Put together from each genre's vocals, tempo, song length, key acts and place in the tree.

In figures

Heaviness
Black 'n' roll7
First wave8
+1
Speed
Black 'n' roll6
First wave8
+2
Melody
Black 'n' roll7
First wave5
−2

Black 'n' roll

1997 · Norway

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Black metal › Black 'n' roll

In short

Black metal with a rock and roll groove. Darkthrone turned this way on their own after 2006.

How it sounds

  • Riffs with rock and roll groove, but a black metal tone and vocals.
  • Mid tempos, plain drumming and verse-chorus structures.
  • Warmer production than in classic black metal.

Key acts

  • Darkthrone
  • Kvelertak
  • Khold

Start here

The pickKvelertak - Kvelertak. Produced by Kurt Ballou, and you can hear it instantly.

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First wave

1981 · UK / Sweden / Switzerland

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Black metal › First wave

In short

The bands that supplied the name and the themes, while still playing speed or thrash metal. Venom released the album that christened the genre.

How it sounds

  • Speed or thrash metal structures rather than black metal proper.
  • Chaotic production, with volume and distortion beyond what the tape could hold.
  • Satanic or occult themes, often theatrical.

Key acts

  • Venom
  • Bathory
  • Hellhammer
  • Mercyful Fate

Start here

The pickBathory - Bathory. Recorded on almost no budget, and it sounds like another planet.

Full page →