The difference, by ear
D-beat is hardcore reduced to one rhythm, held. Hardcore has more variety and is frequently faster; d-beat is the discipline of not varying.
Both are shouted, but hardcore punk is a little faster: 190 to 250 bpm against 180 to 220. To hear the difference, play Discharge next to Black Flag. D-beat grew out of hardcore punk, two years later.
In figures
D-beat
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Hardcore punk › D-beat
In short
Named after Discharge's drum pattern: galloping toms, motorcycle guitar and anti-war slogans shouted as choruses.
How it sounds
- The Discharge pattern: floor tom in eighths with the hi-hat open on the offbeat.
- Guitars with massive distortion playing two- or three-chord riffs.
- Short, sloganeering lyrics about nuclear war and authority.
Key acts
- Discharge
- Anti Cimex
- Disfear
Start here
The pickDischarge - Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing. Not one relaxed second on it.
Full page →Hardcore punk
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Hardcore punk
In short
Punk accelerated to 200 bpm, songs of one minute and shouted vocals. Without it there is no thrash, no grindcore, no metalcore.
How it sounds
- Tempos of 180 to 250 bpm with galloping or skank drum patterns.
- Songs under a minute, with whole albums running twenty minutes.
- Shouted rather than sung vocals, and direct political or personal lyrics.
Key acts
- Black Flag
- Minor Threat
- Bad Brains
- Discharge
Start here
The pickBad Brains - Bad Brains (the ROIR cassette). The fastest band of the decade.
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