Difference between rock and metal music with table

We explain the difference between rock and metal music with table. Music is a presence that is always there for you, no matter where and how you are. You can be hurt, furious or on cloud nine and you will always find music by your side.

As everyone will know, different moods require different types of music to complement emotions. These types of music or songs are called genres.

Genres refer to categories in music, each with different properties and characteristics unique to itself.

Rock, hip hop, pop, jazz, musical theater are some examples of the genres commonly found in music. Each one is strikingly different from one another and one can easily differentiate one gender from the other.

Rock and metal music are very popular with listeners. Both categories are said to be very stimulating and energizing to listen to. However, there are some differences between these two categories.

What is rock music?

Rock music is one of the most popular major genres in the music industry. He is influenced and has influenced various other genres around the world. Rock music, as a genre, is said to have originated in the 1950s in the United States of America. He is also known by his nickname “rock and roll.”

Rock music has been largely inspired by other major genres such as blues, rhythm and blues, folk, country music, jazz, classical, and many more. It is these influences that gave rise to few combinations of subgenres such as folk rock, blues rock, jazz rock, grunge, heavy metal, etc. Other genres have also been inspired by Rock music.

The main characteristics of Rock music are its sound and distortion. Rock music has a lighter and lower sound compared to metal. When it comes to distortion, rock music, once again, has a lighter distortion in its sound.

Rhythm is one of the key components when it comes to music and songs. Rock music exerts a non-syncopated stress, following the 4/4 signature.

Regarding the instruments used, rock music predominantly uses keyboards as the main instrument. Rock music also uses classical drums without a double bass pedal. This genre also does not use a guitar power chord.

Hence, rock music has been inspired and influenced by many genres creating a diverse set of other genres. These influences have definitely inspired various cultural and political movements, acting as their driving force.

Few famous artists under this genre are Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, etc.

What is metal music?

Now, we all know that there is a diverse set of subgenres created under Rock music, such as jazz, rock, grunge, soft rock, folk-rock, etc. Metal music is one of those popular sub-genres that falls under the main rock music genre.

It is said to have originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s mainly in the United Kingdom and in the United States of America to a lesser extent. He is also known by his nickname “Heavy metal.” It is heavily influenced by the blues genre and other psychedelic rock genres.

As its name suggests, “Heavy metal” or simply “metal” is known for its two main characteristics: – sound and distortion. Metal has a louder and deeper sound, compared to Rock music. It also has a stronger and higher distortion.

Metal music exerts a deliberate and emphatic emphasis, when it comes to the rhythm that follows.

Metal music rarely uses keyboards as the main instrument. This subgenre is characterized by extremely loud guitars and drums. The metal uses a double bass pedal drum kit. It also uses a guitar power chord.

Metal music is often associated with aggression and masculinity and fans who love songs that belong to this genre are called ‘headbangers’.

Few artists who are famous in this genre are Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, etc.

Difference between rock and metal music with table

The difference between rock and metal music is that while rock music is a genre, metal music is a sub-genre. There are several other characteristics based on which these two also differ.

Comparison table between rocks and metal music

Keydifferences between rocks and metal

1. Rock music is considered a popular top genre in the industry. But Metal music is considered a popular subgenre of Rock music, among many others.
2. The origin of Rock music dates back to the 1950s mainly in the United States of America (USA). But the origin of Metal music dates back to the late 1960s and early 1970s mainly in the UK (and also the US).
3. Rock music has a lighter and lower sound, while Metal music has a deeper and higher sound.
4. Rock music has a lighter distortion in its sound. But Metal music has a stronger and higher distortion.
5. Rock music exerts non-syncopated stress with a 4/4 signature. But Metal music exerts deliberate emphatic stress.
6. Rock music is also known simply as “rock” or “rock and roll.” But Metal music is also known simply as ‘metal’ or ‘heavy metal’.
7. Rock music uses keyboards as its main instruments. But Metal music uses guitars and drums as its key instruments.
8. Few artists who play rock music are Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Nirvana, etc. Few artists who play metal music are Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, etc.

Final Thought

Both Rock and Metal are similar, but quite different. They are similar in terms of categories and other characteristics.

They differ based on sound, distortion, instruments used, source, and rhythm.

However, both types of music have had an impact on people and have become a driving force for change.