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

Death 'n' roll1993

Second genre

Groove metal1990

Head to headDeath 'n' roll vs Groove metal
Death 'n' roll: heaviness 8, melody 6, speed 5. Groove metal: heaviness 9, melody 6, speed 6.Heaviness8 / 9Melody6 / 6Speed5 / 6
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Groove metal arrives at a similar place from thrash rather than from death metal, and shouts where this growls.

Groove metal is shouted where death 'n' roll is growled or screamed, and a little slower: 90 to 140 bpm against 120 to 160. To hear the difference, play Entombed next to Pantera. They share a root in heavy metal, and groove metal came first, by three years.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Death 'n' roll8
Groove metal9
+1
Speed
Death 'n' roll5
Groove metal6
+1
Melody
Death 'n' roll6
Groove metal6
level

Death 'n' roll

1993 · Sweden

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Death metal › Death 'n' roll

In short

Death metal that admits its rock roots: groove, blues riffing and a hoarse shout.

How it sounds

  • Riffs with rock and roll groove played with a death metal tone.
  • Mid tempos with swing and shuffle drumming instead of blast beats.
  • Hoarse vocals, closer to Lemmy than to a classic growl.

Key acts

  • Entombed
  • Gorefest
  • Six Feet Under

Start here

The pickEntombed - Wolverine Blues. Death metal you can tap your foot to.

Full page →

Groove metal

1990 · Texas / USA

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Thrash metal › Groove metal

In short

Thrash slowed to a groove that hits you in the chest: syncopated riffs, mid-tempo drums, barked vocals.

How it sounds

  • Syncopated riffs with offbeat accents at mid tempo.
  • Down-tuned guitars with very thick tone and squealing pinch harmonics.
  • Barked, aggressive vocals with near-rhythmic phrasing.

Key acts

  • Pantera
  • Machine Head
  • Lamb of God
  • Sepultura

Start here

The pickPantera - Vulgar Display of Power. Dimebag's guitar tone is an institution.

Full page →