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

Glam metal1981

Second genre

Traditional heavy metal1976

Head to headGlam metal vs Traditional heavy metal
Glam metal: heaviness 5, melody 10, speed 6. Traditional heavy metal: heaviness 7, melody 9, speed 6.Heaviness5 / 7Melody10 / 9Speed6 / 6
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Traditional metal takes itself seriously as metal. Glam metal is a pop genre wearing metal's instrumentation, and it is much better at choruses.

Both are sung cleanly and move at much the same pace, around 120 to 170 bpm. To hear the difference, play Mötley Crüe next to Judas Priest. Both grew out of heavy metal, traditional heavy metal first and glam metal five years after.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Glam metal5
Traditional heavy metal7
+2
Speed
Glam metal6
Traditional heavy metal6
level
Melody
Glam metal10
Traditional heavy metal9
−1

Glam metal

1981 · Los Angeles, USA

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Glam metal

In short

Hard rock with hairspray, a radio chorus and a mandatory power ballad. It ruled MTV until 1991.

How it sounds

  • Simple hard rock riffs with glossy production and gated reverb on the drums.
  • Choruses with multiple vocal harmonies, built for radio and MTV.
  • A mandatory ballad on every album, usually the hit single.

Key acts

  • Mötley Crüe
  • Ratt
  • Poison
  • Skid Row

Start here

The pickSkid Row - Slave to the Grind. The genre's heaviest album, released exactly too late.

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Traditional heavy metal

1976 · UK / USA · 2 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Traditional heavy metal

In short

The classic form: high vocals, twin lead guitars, choruses to raise a fist to. Leather and studs.

How it sounds

  • High vocals with controlled vibrato and sustained top notes.
  • Two lead guitars harmonising and trading solos.
  • Singalong choruses, medium to fast tempos, epic or motivational lyrics.

Key acts

  • Judas Priest
  • Dio
  • Manowar
  • Accept

Start here

The pickJudas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny. Before the leather, and already perfect.

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