The difference, in figures
Black metal is far heavier (+5), far faster (+5) and slightly less melodic (−2) than Space rock. It emerged in 1982, 13 years after Space rock in 1969. They sit on opposite branches of the tree and share no common ancestor.
Space rock
Where it sits
Rock › Psychedelic rock › Space rock
In short
A repetitive riff under a thick layer of synthesizers and cosmic whoosh. Lemmy went straight from here into Motörhead.
How it sounds
- A repetitive riff, often on a single chord, held for tens of minutes.
- Analogue synthesizers, oscillators and white noise as a permanent layer.
- Hypnotic structure with almost no harmonic development.
Key acts
- Hawkwind
- Gong
- Spacemen 3
- Monster Magnet
Start here
The pickHawkwind - Silver Machine. That's Lemmy singing, two years before Motörhead.
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 →