The difference, by ear
Both are loop-based and rhythm-first. Industrial metal's loops are machine-made; these are played.
Industrial metal is part sung, part screamed where rap metal is rapped, at much the same pace, around 90 to 140 bpm. To hear the difference, play Rage Against the Machine next to Ministry. They share a root in heavy metal, and industrial metal came first, by three years. United States appears in the origins of both.
In figures
Rap metal
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Nu metal › Rap metal
In short
Rapped vocals over metal riffs, built around groove and a shouted chorus.
How it sounds
- Rapped verses over metal riffs, with the groove on the downbeat.
- DJ scratching, or guitar effects imitating scratching.
- Shouted choruses built for large venues.
Key acts
- Rage Against the Machine
- Limp Bizkit
- Body Count
Start here
The pickRage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles. Their best-produced record.
Full page →Industrial metal
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Industrial metal
In short
Metal riffs over programmed drums, samples and synths. Mechanical by design.
How it sounds
- Programmed or heavily processed drums with samples of mechanical sounds.
- Repetitive, staccato riffing, with the guitar treated as a rhythmic element.
- Distorted vocals, declaimed or shouted through effects.
Key acts
- Ministry
- Fear Factory
- Rammstein
- Godflesh
Start here
The pickGodflesh - Streetcleaner. It sounds like an industrial city collapsing, which is the subject.
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