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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

Groove metal1990

Second genre

Sludge metal1989

Head to headGroove metal vs Sludge metal
Groove metal: heaviness 9, melody 6, speed 6. Sludge metal: heaviness 10, melody 4, speed 3.Heaviness9 / 10Melody6 / 4Speed6 / 3
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Sludge is slower still, screamed, and dissonant. Groove metal is tight and shouted where sludge is loose and shredded.

Sludge metal is growled or screamed where groove metal is shouted, and slower: 50 to 90 bpm against 90 to 140. Songs run longer in sludge metal: usually 5 to 9 minutes, against 3½ to 5 minutes in groove metal. To hear the difference, play Pantera next to Eyehategod. They share a root in heavy metal, and sludge metal came first, by a year.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Groove metal9
Sludge metal10
+1
Speed
Groove metal6
Sludge metal3
−3
Melody
Groove metal6
Sludge metal4
−2

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.

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Sludge metal

1989 · New Orleans, USA · 1 subgenre

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Doom metal › Sludge metal

In short

Doom plus filthy hardcore: feedback, screamed vocals and a guitar tone like Louisiana mud.

How it sounds

  • Thick fuzzed guitar with feedback left running between riffs.
  • Alternation between very slow tempos and hardcore outbursts.
  • Screamed or howled vocals with lyrics about addiction, poverty and rage.

Key acts

  • Eyehategod
  • Crowbar
  • Melvins
  • Acid Bath

Start here

The pickEyehategod - Take as Needed for Pain. The feedback between tracks is part of the album.

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