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

Traditional heavy metal1976

Second genre

Black metal1982

Head to headTraditional heavy metal vs Black metal
Traditional heavy metal: heaviness 7, melody 9, speed 6. Black metal: heaviness 9, melody 4, speed 9.Heaviness7 / 9Melody9 / 4Speed6 / 9
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Black metal is growled or screamed where traditional heavy metal is sung cleanly, and much faster: 160 to 280 bpm against 120 to 170. To hear the difference, play Judas Priest next to Bathory. Both grew out of heavy metal, traditional heavy metal first and black metal six years after.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Traditional heavy metal7
Black metal9
+2
Speed
Traditional heavy metal6
Black metal9
+3
Melody
Traditional heavy metal9
Black metal4
−5

Traditional heavy metal

1976 · UK / USA · 2 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Traditional heavy metal

In short

The classic form: high vocals, twin lead guitars, choruses to raise a fist to. Leather and studs.

How it sounds

  • High vocals with controlled vibrato and sustained top notes.
  • Two lead guitars harmonising and trading solos.
  • Singalong choruses, medium to fast tempos, epic or motivational lyrics.

Key acts

  • Judas Priest
  • Dio
  • Manowar
  • Accept

Start here

The pickJudas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny. Before the leather, and already perfect.

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Black metal

1982 · Norway / Sweden · 10 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Black metal

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.

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