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

Rap metal1991

Second genre

Black metal1982

Head to headRap metal vs Black metal
Rap metal: heaviness 7, melody 6, speed 6. Black metal: heaviness 9, melody 4, speed 9.Heaviness7 / 9Melody6 / 4Speed6 / 9
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, in figures

Black metal is clearly faster (+3), slightly heavier (+2) and slightly less melodic (−2) than Rap metal. It emerged in 1982, 9 years before Rap metal in 1991. The two split from Heavy metal.

Assembled from the stored ratings, dates and tree positions, not written.
Heaviness
Rap metal7
Black metal9
+2
Speed
Rap metal6
Black metal9
+3
Melody
Rap metal6
Black metal4
−2

Rap metal

1991 · USA

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Nu metal › Rap metal

In short

Rapped vocals over metal riffs, built around groove and a shouted chorus.

How it sounds

  • Rapped verses over metal riffs, with the groove on the downbeat.
  • DJ scratching, or guitar effects imitating scratching.
  • Shouted choruses built for large venues.

Key acts

  • Rage Against the Machine
  • Limp Bizkit
  • Body Count

Start here

The pickRage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles. Their best-produced record.

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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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