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

Groove metal1990

Second genre

Thrash metal1983

Head to headGroove metal vs Thrash metal
Groove metal: heaviness 9, melody 6, speed 6. Thrash metal: heaviness 8, melody 6, speed 9.Heaviness9 / 8Melody6 / 6Speed6 / 9
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Groove metal is thrash at half speed with a swing in it. Same riffs, opposite relationship to the beat, and far more space.

Both are shouted, but thrash metal is much faster: 180 to 250 bpm against 90 to 140. To hear the difference, play Pantera next to Metallica. Groove metal grew out of thrash metal, seven years later.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Groove metal9
Thrash metal8
−1
Speed
Groove metal6
Thrash metal9
+3
Melody
Groove metal6
Thrash metal6
level

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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Thrash metal

1983 · California / Germany · 4 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Thrash metal

In short

NWOBHM plus hardcore punk: palm-muted riffs, brutal tempos and lyrics about war and society. The first truly extreme branch.

How it sounds

  • Palm-muted riffs in sixteenths, played with relentless downpicking.
  • Tempos of 180 to 250 bpm with skank beats and double kick.
  • Barked or shouted but still intelligible vocals, and fast aggressive solos.

Key acts

  • Metallica
  • Slayer
  • Megadeth
  • Kreator

Start here

The pickSlayer - Reign in Blood. Twenty-nine minutes that redefined the word extreme.

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