The difference, in figures
Black metal is far less melodic (−5), slightly heavier (+2) and slightly faster (+2) than Blackgaze / post-black. It emerged in 1982, 25 years before Blackgaze / post-black in 2007. Black metal is what Blackgaze / post-black descends from, 1 level up.
Blackgaze / post-black
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Black metal › Blackgaze / post-black
In short
Black metal tremolo over shoegaze harmony: the same density, but the result comes out luminous instead of frozen.
How it sounds
- Black metal tremolo picking over major or modal, luminous harmony.
- Walls of guitar with reverb and delay, in the shoegaze tradition.
- Screamed vocals mixed under the instruments, as texture.
Key acts
- Alcest
- Deafheaven
- Lantlôs
Start here
The pickDeafheaven - Sunbather. It opens with nine minutes that justify the whole genre.
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 →