What is the Difference Between Death Metal and Black Metal?

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Death metal and black metal are two subgenres of heavy metal music that have distinct differences in terms of sound, vocals, and themes. Here are the main differences between the two:

  • Sound: Death metal is more focused on heaviness and riffs, while black metal is characterized by tremolo picked riffing, giving it a more atmospheric sound.
  • Vocals: Death metal vocalists typically use low, deep growls, whereas black metal vocalists often yell, screech, and sometimes sing high notes.
  • Themes: Death metal is more about the extremity of sound, whereas black metal often focuses on the extremity of emotion. Black metal themes often revolve around a mix of atmosphere and anti-Christian sentiment.
  • Riffs: Black metal is known for its shrill, tremolo picked style, while death metal is more riff-oriented. In modern technical death metal, the riffs tend to be fast and technical, featuring lead guitar work.
  • Image: Death metal logos are usually easier to read than black metal logos, which often feature elaborate and ornate designs.

In summary, death metal is more focused on heavily riff-driven music with deep growls, while black metal emphasizes atmosphere, emotion, and high-pitched vocals. The two subgenres have distinct sounds and themes, making them easily distinguishable for fans of heavy music.

Comparative Table: Death Metal vs Black Metal

Here is a table comparing the differences between death metal and black metal:

Feature Death Metal Black Metal
Vocals Low-pitched guttural growls High-pitched shrieked vocals
Themes Death, destruction, pain, suffering The soul, paganism, anti-Christian sentiment, introspection
Lyrics Explicit and clear-cut descriptions Symbolism and atmospheric
Guitars Complex song structures, extended solos Tremolo-picked riffs, downtuned and distortion-heavy
Tempo Aggressive, fast-paced Faster, more chordal, tremolo picked riffing
Popular Bands Death, Cannibal Corpse Immortal, Dark Throne, Emperor, Bathory, Mayhem
Overall Style Brutal, intense, dark subject matter Raw, atmospheric, eerie darkness, Satanic themes, anti-Christian intent

In summary, death metal is characterized by its aggressive sound, guttural vocals, and themes of death, destruction, and suffering, while black metal is known for its atmospheric sound, high-pitched shrieked vocals, and themes of paganism, anti-Christian sentiment, and introspection.