The difference, in figures
Black metal is clearly faster (+4), clearly less melodic (−4) and clearly heavier (+3) than Grunge. It emerged in 1982, 6 years before Grunge in 1988. They sit on opposite branches of the tree and share no common ancestor.
Grunge
Where it sits
Rock › Alternative rock › Grunge
In short
Punk plus Black Sabbath plus flannel: quiet verse, exploding chorus and lyrics about self-disgust.
How it sounds
- Quiet verse, chorus at full distortion - the dynamic taken from the Pixies.
- Guitars sometimes tuned a whole step down, through simple fuzz pedals.
- Hoarse vocals with lyrics about self-disgust, apathy and unfocused anger.
Key acts
- Nirvana
- Soundgarden
- Alice in Chains
- Pearl Jam
Start here
The pickAlice in Chains - Dirt. The heaviest and bleakest record the scene produced.
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 →