Rock and metal are two whole separate genres of music. Continue reading to learn about the main differences between the two types of music. Below are the 5 major distinctions between a rock and metal music.
Metal music was created in the late 1960s, while rock music began in the 1950s
Simply put, rock music is also known as just rock. Among other genres, the type of music evolved in the 1950s. Later on, various rock music subgenres emerged, such as folk, country, hard, blues, alternative, and psychedelic rock, to name a few.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, metal music emerged.
Both rock and metal music have their origins in the 1950s and 1960s. During this period, musicians such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry were prominent.
The two artists gave rock-‘n’-roll a bluesy tone by emphasizing the use of electric guitars and drums to create a pulsing sound. Their new style, rock-‘n’-roll, had previously been coined by several other musicians. After that, the words changed to “rock music.” Blues no longer had such an influence on this style of music.
The evolution of music continues to this day, with new subgenres emerging.
Metal music is a subgenre of rock music, whereas rock music is the main genre
Between the rock and metal genres, rock music was the first to emerge. Heavy metal, sometimes known as metal music, began as a subgenre of rock music. During evolution into subgenres such as metal music, rock music had traces of soul, funk, and Latino music.
Metal music uses a power chord on the guitar, but rock music does not
Rock music is a mash-up of popular music styles, with electric or bass guitars, drums, and vocals as the primary instruments. Modern rock bands draw inspiration from blues, folk, jazz, country music, and electronic instruments like synthesizers.
Metal music often contains an electric or double bass guitar, keyboards, or synthesizers.
Metal music has a deeper and more resonant sound than rock music
Metal music is frequently heavier, particularly in the extreme subgenres of black and death metal. Furthermore, metal features double bass, pulsating, distorted guitars, but rock music has an electric guitar with softer cleaner tones.
Metal bands are more aggressive, with male vocals that shout or snarl. Also, metal songs can be about love or social issues, but they are usually heavier and have quick tempos. So, metal music vocals range from clean to death growls.
Metal music lyrics are primarily about masculinity, aggressiveness, and sex, whereas rock music lyrics relate to a wide range of themes such as love, sex, rebellion, and other social concerns
Metal tends to be more aggressive, with lyrics that are often violent. Drugs, horror, death, satanism, war, politics, and otherworldly concerns are common themes in metal bands.
Metal music is split into subgenres with similar characteristics such as quick tempos, strong beats, high-pitched vocals or screams/growls, and often repetition and syncopation.
Vocalists in rock bands frequently sing about love, relationships, and societal issues (though not always).