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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

Technical death metal1991

Head to headDeathgrind vs Technical death metal
Deathgrind: heaviness 10, melody 2, speed 10. Technical death metal: heaviness 9, melody 4, speed 10.Heaviness10 / 9Melody2 / 4Speed10 / 10
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Both are extremely fast and technically demanding. Technical death metal is harmonically restless; this is relentless.

Both are growled or screamed, but technical death metal is much slower: 160 to 260 bpm against 220 to 320. Songs run longer in technical death metal: usually 4 to 7 minutes, against 1 to 3 minutes in deathgrind. To hear the difference, play Napalm Death next to Death. Both grew out of death metal, deathgrind first and technical death metal a year after. United States appears in the origins of both.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Deathgrind10
Technical death metal9
−1
Speed
Deathgrind10
Technical death metal10
level
Melody
Deathgrind2
Technical death metal4
+2

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.

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Technical death metal

1991 · USA / Canada

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Death metal › Technical death metal

In short

Death metal with jazz harmony, tapping and impossible drumming. The more notes per second, the better.

How it sounds

  • Jazz harmony, extended chords and frequent modulation.
  • Fretless or slap bass treated as a lead instrument.
  • Polyrhythmic drumming and varied blast beats at the edge of what is physically possible.

Key acts

  • Death
  • Atheist
  • Cryptopsy
  • Necrophagist

Start here

The pickDeath - Human. The moment the genre became music to study, not just to hear.

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