The difference, in figures
Black metal is far heavier (+5), far faster (+5) and clearly less melodic (−4) than Shoegaze. It emerged in 1982, 7 years before Shoegaze in 1989. They sit on opposite branches of the tree and share no common ancestor.
Shoegaze
Where it sits
Rock › Alternative rock › Shoegaze
In short
Walls of cascading guitar effects with the vocals buried in the mix. Named after the habit of staring at the pedalboard on stage.
How it sounds
- Dozens of stacked guitar tracks through long chains of pedals.
- Kevin Shields' 'glide guitar' - the tremolo arm used continuously, so the tuning never settles.
- Vocals mixed level with the instruments, as another texture.
Key acts
- My Bloody Valentine
- Slowdive
- Ride
- Lush
Start here
The pickMy Bloody Valentine - Loveless. Nobody has yet reproduced the sound exactly.
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 →