The difference, by ear
Both are theatrical and horror-derived. Deathrock comes from post-punk and goth; this comes from 1956.
Both are sung cleanly, but deathrock is slower: 140 to 180 bpm against 180 to 220. Songs run longer in deathrock: usually 3 to 5 minutes, against 2 to 3 minutes in psychobilly. To hear the difference, play The Meteors next to Christian Death. They share a root in punk rock, and deathrock came first, by a year.
In figures
Psychobilly
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Psychobilly
In short
Rockabilly with slapped upright bass, punk speed and lyrics about monsters. Quiff haircut mandatory.
How it sounds
- Slapped upright bass played hard, as a percussion instrument.
- Rockabilly reverb on the guitar, with punk speed and aggression.
- Quiff haircuts, tattoos and lyrics about monsters, cars and the morgue.
Key acts
- The Meteors
- Demented Are Go
- Nekromantix
Start here
The pickThe Meteors - In Heaven. Ground zero, manifesto included.
Full page →Deathrock
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Post-punk › Gothic rock › Deathrock
In short
The American version, more punk and more theatrical, with tribal drums and horror-movie imagery.
How it sounds
- Tribal drumming with heavy toms and bass up front.
- Guitar with tremolo and surf reverb, but in minor keys.
- Theatrical, near-recitative vocals with horror-film imagery.
Key acts
- Christian Death
- 45 Grave
- Kommunity FK
Start here
The pickChristian Death - Only Theatre of Pain. Rozz Williams was nineteen when he wrote it.
Full page →