The difference, by ear
Proto-metal is blues rock with the volume past the point of control and the swing draining out. The material is the same; the intent is starting not to be.
Both are sung cleanly and move at much the same pace, around 90 to 140 bpm. To hear the difference, play Blue Cheer next to Cream. Proto-metal comes from the metal side of the tree and blues rock from the rock side, and blues rock came first, by five years.
In figures
Proto-metal
Where it sits
In short
The heavy bands from before the term existed: over-amplified acid rock, already built around the riff.
How it sounds
- Volume and distortion beyond what the technology of the era allowed, with natural saturation.
- A repeating riff in place of a blues progression, but still inside rock and roll structures.
- Heavy drums up front and vocals in the high register.
Key acts
- Blue Cheer
- Steppenwolf
- Sir Lord Baltimore
- Budgie
Start here
The pickBudgie - Breadfan. Metallica covered it, but the original is stranger.
Full page →Blues rock
Where it sits
In short
Electric blues played louder, longer and with improvised solos. The direct bridge between Muddy Waters and Black Sabbath.
How it sounds
- Pentatonic scales and long bends inherited straight from B.B. King and Buddy Guy.
- Amplifiers driven into natural saturation - the distortion comes from volume, not a pedal.
- Long songs with room for live improvisation.
Key acts
- Cream
- The Yardbirds
- Jimi Hendrix
- Fleetwood Mac
Start here
The pickCream - Sunshine of Your Love. The riff that showed how thick a trio could sound.
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