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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

Deathgrind1990

Second genre

Grindcore1985

Head to headDeathgrind vs Grindcore
Deathgrind: heaviness 10, melody 2, speed 10. Grindcore: heaviness 9, melody 1, speed 10.Heaviness10 / 9Melody2 / 1Speed10 / 10
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Grindcore is shorter, punkier and more chaotic. Deathgrind brings death metal's riffing, structure and production, and the songs get longer.

Both are growled or screamed and move at much the same pace, around 200 to 320 bpm. Songs run longer in deathgrind: usually 1 to 3 minutes, against under a minute to 1½ minutes in grindcore. To hear the difference, play Napalm Death next to Repulsion. They share a root in heavy metal, and grindcore came first, by five years.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Deathgrind10
Grindcore9
−1
Speed
Deathgrind10
Grindcore10
level
Melody
Deathgrind2
Grindcore1
−1

Deathgrind

1990 · USA / United Kingdom

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Death metal › Deathgrind

In short

Death metal compressed to the length and speed of grindcore. No intro, no outro.

How it sounds

  • Near-continuous blast beats, with songs between thirty seconds and two minutes.
  • Compressed death metal riffs with no development.
  • Vocals alternating between very low growls and very high screams.

Key acts

  • Napalm Death
  • Cattle Decapitation
  • Pig Destroyer

Start here

The pickPig Destroyer - Prowler in the Yard. No bass player, and you don't miss it.

Full page →

Grindcore

1985 · Birmingham, England · 3 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Grindcore

In short

Hardcore and death metal compressed into songs under a minute, with continuous blast beats. Napalm Death have a song that lasts one second.

How it sounds

  • Blast beats at maximum speed, songs under a minute, albums of twenty minutes.
  • Short hardcore and death metal riffs with no development.
  • Dual vocals: guttural growl and high shriek, alternating rapidly.

Key acts

  • Napalm Death
  • Repulsion
  • Terrorizer
  • Brutal Truth

Start here

The pickNapalm Death - Scum. Side B, with Bill Steer on guitar, is the essential half.

Full page →