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

Melodic metalcore1999

Second genre

Pop punk1977

Head to headMelodic metalcore vs Pop punk
Melodic metalcore: heaviness 8, melody 9, speed 7. Pop punk: heaviness 3, melody 10, speed 7.Heaviness8 / 3Melody9 / 10Speed7 / 7
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

A different genre solving the same problem - an enormous sung chorus over aggressive guitars - from the punk side. The chorus writing is closer than either scene would admit.

Pop punk is sung cleanly where melodic metalcore is part sung, part screamed, at much the same pace, around 150 to 200 bpm. To hear the difference, play Killswitch Engage next to Ramones. Melodic metalcore comes from the metal side of the tree and pop punk from the rock side, and pop punk came first, by 22 years.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Melodic metalcore8
Pop punk3
−5
Speed
Melodic metalcore7
Pop punk7
level
Melody
Melodic metalcore9
Pop punk10
+1

Melodic metalcore

1999 · Massachusetts, USA

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Metalcore › Melodic metalcore

In short

Gothenburg harmonies imported into American hardcore. The dominant formula of the 2000s.

How it sounds

  • Melodic death metal guitar harmonies over hardcore structures.
  • Clean sung choruses with melodic vocals and broad production.
  • A final breakdown as the song's climax.

Key acts

  • Killswitch Engage
  • As I Lay Dying
  • Trivium

Start here

The pickTrivium - Ascendancy. Metalcore that remembers to include solos.

Full page →

Pop punk

1977 · USA · 2 subgenres

Where it sits

Rock › Punk rock › Pop punk

In short

Punk speed, garage-pop choruses and lyrics about suburban boredom.

How it sounds

  • Simple major progressions - I-V-vi-IV - played fast and distorted.
  • Choruses with vocal harmonies and singalong 'whoa-oh' hooks.
  • Clean production, compressed drums, tempos of 160 to 200 bpm.

Key acts

  • Ramones
  • Green Day
  • blink-182
  • The Offspring

Start here

The pickThe Descendents - Milo Goes to College. The manual, written twelve years before the boom.

Full page →