The difference, in figures
Black metal is clearly faster (+3), clearly less melodic (−3) and slightly heavier (+2) than Black 'n' roll. It emerged in 1982, 15 years before Black 'n' roll in 1997. Black metal is what Black 'n' roll descends from, 1 level up. Both trace to Norway.
Black 'n' roll
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Black metal › Black 'n' roll
In short
Black metal with a rock and roll groove. Darkthrone turned this way on their own after 2006.
How it sounds
- Riffs with rock and roll groove, but a black metal tone and vocals.
- Mid tempos, plain drumming and verse-chorus structures.
- Warmer production than in classic black metal.
Key acts
- Darkthrone
- Kvelertak
- Khold
Start here
The pickKvelertak - Kvelertak. Produced by Kurt Ballou, and you can hear it instantly.
Full page →Black metal
Where it sits
In short
Tremolo picking, blast beats, shrieked vocals and deliberately cold production. More an aesthetic than a technique - atmosphere matters more than clean sound.
How it sounds
- Tremolo picking on open fifth voicings, with vocals in the high register.
- Deliberately thin, cold production - the missing bass is an aesthetic choice, not an accident.
- Fast blast beats, drums often mixed back, atmosphere placed above technique.
Key acts
- Bathory
- Mayhem
- Darkthrone
- Emperor
Start here
The pickDarkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky. The production is intentional, not a flaw.
Full page →