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

Deathrock1979

Second genre

Post-punk1978

Head to headDeathrock vs Post-punk
Deathrock: heaviness 4, melody 7, speed 5. Post-punk: heaviness 3, melody 6, speed 5.Heaviness4 / 3Melody7 / 6Speed5 / 5
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Both use chorused guitar and a forward bass. Deathrock is faster, more theatrical and less concerned with dread as an atmosphere.

Both are sung cleanly, but post-punk is a little slower: 110 to 150 bpm against 140 to 180. To hear the difference, play Christian Death next to Joy Division. Deathrock grew out of post-punk, a year later.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Deathrock4
Post-punk3
−1
Speed
Deathrock5
Post-punk5
level
Melody
Deathrock7
Post-punk6
−1

Deathrock

1979 · Los Angeles, USA

Where it sits

Rock › Punk rock › Post-punk › Gothic rock › Deathrock

In short

The American version, more punk and more theatrical, with tribal drums and horror-movie imagery.

How it sounds

  • Tribal drumming with heavy toms and bass up front.
  • Guitar with tremolo and surf reverb, but in minor keys.
  • Theatrical, near-recitative vocals with horror-film imagery.

Key acts

  • Christian Death
  • 45 Grave
  • Kommunity FK

Start here

The pickChristian Death - Only Theatre of Pain. Rozz Williams was nineteen when he wrote it.

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Post-punk

1978 · United Kingdom · 7 subgenres

Where it sits

Rock › Punk rock › Post-punk

In short

Punk asking what comes next: melodic bass up front, dry guitar, space and cold. Possibly the most fertile branch in all of rock.

How it sounds

  • The bass carries the melody; the guitar plays short, dry figures with chorus or flanger.
  • Dry-toned drums with plenty of space in the mix - you can hear the room.
  • Irregular structures, cold dynamics, abstract or political lyrics.

Key acts

  • Joy Division
  • Wire
  • Gang of Four
  • Public Image Ltd

Start here

The pickJoy Division - Unknown Pleasures. Martin Hannett's production is half the record.

Full page →