Brutal Death Metal vs. Death Metal

Attribute	Brutal Death Metal	Death Metal
Origin	United States	United States
Speed	Very fast	Fast
Vocals	Guttural growls	Harsh growls
Lyrics	Violent and gory	Dark and morbid
Instrumentation	Technical and complex	Heavy and aggressive

Origins

Death Metal and Brutal Death Metal are both subgenres of extreme metal that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Death Metal originated in Florida with bands like Death, Morbid Angel, and Obituary leading the way. Brutal Death Metal, on the other hand, took the aggression and intensity of Death Metal to a new level, with bands like Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, and Deeds of Flesh pushing the boundaries of brutality.

Musical Characteristics

Both Death Metal and Brutal Death Metal are characterized by their aggressive and fast-paced music, guttural vocals, and complex song structures. However, Brutal Death Metal takes these elements to the extreme, with faster tempos, more technical guitar riffs, and even more brutal vocals. The drumming in Brutal Death Metal is often more intense and intricate, with blast beats and double bass pedal work being common features.

Lyrical Themes

Lyrically, both Death Metal and Brutal Death Metal often explore dark and morbid themes such as violence, gore, and death. However, Brutal Death Metal tends to focus more on graphic and explicit depictions of violence and gore, often pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in mainstream music. Death Metal, on the other hand, may explore more philosophical or existential themes in addition to the typical gore and violence.

Production

Production quality is another key difference between Death Metal and Brutal Death Metal. Death Metal tends to have a more raw and organic sound, with a focus on capturing the energy and intensity of the music. Brutal Death Metal, on the other hand, often has a more polished and precise production, with a focus on clarity and technicality. This difference in production can impact the overall feel and atmosphere of the music.

Fan Base

Both Death Metal and Brutal Death Metal have dedicated fan bases that are passionate about the music and the culture surrounding it. However, the fan base for Brutal Death Metal tends to be more extreme and underground, with a focus on the most brutal and intense bands in the genre. Death Metal, on the other hand, has a larger and more diverse fan base that includes fans of both the classic bands from the 1980s and newer bands that are pushing the boundaries of the genre.

Legacy

Both Death Metal and Brutal Death Metal have had a significant impact on the metal scene and have influenced countless bands in the years since their inception. Death Metal is often seen as the foundation of extreme metal, with its influence being felt in a wide range of subgenres. Brutal Death Metal, on the other hand, has carved out its own niche within the extreme metal scene, with bands continuing to push the boundaries of brutality and technicality.