Black Metal and Death Metal are two of the main forms of extreme metal, and often get confused due to some of their aspects including distorted guitars, blast-beats and non-traditional vocal styles, as well as the fact that they appeared approximately during the same period: middle eighties for Death and late eighties/early nineties for Black.
In this article, we will go through the main differences between Black Metal and Death Metal.
First of all, to illustrate these differences here is a quick list of some of the most notable Black Metal and Death Metal bands. You can look them up on Youtube or Grooveshark.
- Black: Wolves in the Throne Room, Von, Agalloch, Ceremonial Castings, Vesperian Sorrow, Xasthur
- Death: Dying Fetus, Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, Pig Destroyer, Nile, Becoming the Archetype, Death
Main differences between Black Metal and Death Metal
I. Generalities
In both Black Metal and Death Metal, there are several musical effects that are aimed at. Bands of the two genres don’t simply play “catchy” music, although it often helps, they try to play dark and atmospheric music.
In Black Metal, the songs will generally have a monotonous and atmospheric feel to them, while in Death Metal songs will be more focused on technicality and heaviness, although atmosphere is also quite important.
- BM: monotony, atmosphere
- DM: technicality, heaviness, atmosphere
II. Lyrics
In both Heavy Metal genres, lyrics have a major importance, almost as much a the music itself. Of all the differences presented here, lyrics are often the easiest and most evident way to categorize a band. But it isn’t always the case: some bands can play Death Metal with Black Metal lyrics, and vice versa.
In both cases, the lyrics are often hard to understand due to the non-conventional singing. In Black Metal, lyrics will mostly be about Satanism and religion (ex: Ceremonial Castings), rituals (ex: Von), occultism (ex: Demoncy), nature or winter (ex: WiTTR or Agalloch) or even introspection (Xasthur).
On the other hand, a lot of Death Metal acts will sing about Death and gore (ex: Cannibal Corpse), horror (ex: Suffocation), politics (ex: Dying Fetus) or others topics like ancient Egypt (ex: Nile).
- BM: Satanism and religion, rituals, occultism, nature, winter, introspection
- DM: Death, horror, gore, cannibalism, politics
III. Vocals
As previously stated, both vocal styles are non-conventional, but they still have their differences. Once again, this is not an absolute truth, some Black Metal bands use Death Metal vocals. The opposite is less common.
In Black Metal, the vocals are mostly shrieked and high pitched, whereas in Death Metal the vocals are mostly growled and low pitched. Traditionally, the Black Metal vocals are less present and usually only come in after several minutes of instrumental play, whereas the Death Metal vocals are heard throughout the whole song. This aspect isn’t really respected these days anymore, in fact the tendency is inverting itself.
- BM: mostly shrieked and high pitched, less present than in DM
- DM: mostly growled and low pitched, more present than in BM
IV. Guitars
In both styles the guitars are accompanied by heavy distortion. In most Black Metal songs, the guitar work is composed of only three or four riffs repeated throughout the whole song (ex: the song Satanic Blood by Von, composed of only one riff). Song structures are very basic and one riff can be repeated up to thirty times in order to create more atmosphere. Tremolo picking is used continuously throughout the song and solos are a rarity and are mostly very simple.
Death Metal guitar work is composed of several very technical riffs, tremolo picking is used but alternated with other playing styles. The song structures are very complex and don’t follow any defined patterns. Death Metal guitar solos are some of the most complex and technical solos in Heavy Metal.
- BM: repetitive, a lot of tremolo picking continuously, three or four riffs per song, riffs are repeated monotonously, very basic song structures
- DM: short riffs, tremolo picking used but alternated with other playing styles, very technical, a lot of riffs, riffs change a lot, complex song structures
V. Bass
Black Metal bass players often have a relatively easy task to follow, as the bass is not used much. Most of the time, the bass is almost inaudible and simply follows the guitar lines.
Quite the opposite of Death Metal, actually, where bass guitars are almost as important as electric guitars. In Death Metal, the use of bass is very technical and often follow a very complex pattern. Bass solos aren’t a rarity, and the bass is often used to add heaviness to the track.
- BM: not used much, mostly inaudible, follows guitar lines
- DM: used a lot, very technical, adds heaviness to the guitar
VI. Drums
Black Metal drumming is characterized by fast and very repetitive patterns, mostly composed of continuous blast-beats. A good example is the song Satanic Blood, by Von. Death Metal drumming is characterized by fast drumming as well, but also very technical and complex drum patterns. Blast-beats are employed, but alternated with other playing styles.
- BM: fast and very repetitive, blast-beats
- DM: very fast and technical, not repetitive, complex rhythms, blast-beats are employed but varied with other playing styles
In conclusion, Death Metal and Black Metal are two different genres, both having their diverse characteristics.
To find out more about both genres, you can read either my Death Metal or my Black Metal article.
Similar Posts:
- Album Review: Revelator by Tedeschi Trucks Band
- Nickelback – Here and Now (Album Review)
- The Rolling Stones- Paint it Black
- Famous Bass Lines of Paul McCartney
- Can I Buy A Good Quality New Electric Guitar For Less Than 300 GBP?
Relevant Reading:
2121 is the eagerly awaited sophomore album from British singer-songwriter Adele. It’s the follow up to Adele’s critically acclaimed, Grammy award ... Read More >
TuskegeeSurpassing his creative and personal boundaries, Richie comes full circle with the innovative and personal Tuskegee, performing 13 of his most revered... Read More >
Latest Comment