The difference, by ear
Killing Joke are the hinge: post-punk's space and dread with machines and much heavier guitars.
Post-punk is sung cleanly where industrial rock is part sung, part screamed, at much the same pace, around 110 to 150 bpm. To hear the difference, play Killing Joke next to Joy Division. Industrial rock grew out of post-punk, four years later. United Kingdom appears in the origins of both.
In figures
Industrial rock
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Post-punk › Industrial rock
In short
Guitars over programmed drums, sampling and factory noise. The bridge to industrial metal.
How it sounds
- Programmed drums or samples of struck metal in place of a conventional rhythm section.
- Digitally processed guitar, often chopped up and reassembled.
- Vocals distorted through a megaphone or digital processing.
Key acts
- Killing Joke
- Ministry
- Nine Inch Nails
Start here
The pickNine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral. Recorded, not at all by chance, in a house with a grim history.
Full page →Post-punk
Where it sits
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.
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