The difference, in figures
Black metal is far heavier (+5) and clearly faster (+3) than Zeuhl, and matches it on melody. It emerged in 1982, 12 years after Zeuhl in 1970. They sit on opposite branches of the tree and share no common ancestor.
Zeuhl
Where it sits
Rock › Psychedelic rock › Krautrock › Zeuhl
In short
Operatic rock sung in an invented language, with fretless bass and choir. A tiny French branch with fanatical disciples.
How it sounds
- Distorted fretless bass played as a lead instrument.
- Multi-part choir singing in Kobaïan, a language the band invented.
- Odd meters with repetitive, martial construction.
Key acts
- Magma
- Koenjihyakkei
- Ruins
Start here
The pickMagma - Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh. It resembled nothing then and resembles nothing now.
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 →