Heavy Metal vs. Post Metal

Attribute	Heavy Metal	Post Metal
Origins	1970s, UK and US	1990s, US
Sound	Aggressive, fast tempo, distorted guitars	Atmospheric, experimental, slow tempo
Lyrics	Often focus on themes of rebellion, fantasy, and darkness	Can be introspective, abstract, and philosophical
Influences	Blues, rock 'n' roll, classical music	Post-rock, ambient music, shoegaze
Instrumentation	Electric guitars, bass, drums, vocals	Electric guitars, bass, drums, sometimes incorporating additional instruments like keyboards or strings

Origins

Heavy Metal and Post Metal are two subgenres of metal music that have distinct characteristics and origins. Heavy Metal, also known as simply metal, emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s with bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin leading the way. The genre is characterized by its aggressive sound, distorted guitars, and powerful vocals. Post Metal, on the other hand, is a more recent development, emerging in the late 1990s and early 2000s with bands like Neurosis and Isis pioneering the genre. Post Metal takes elements of traditional metal and combines them with elements of post-rock and other genres to create a more atmospheric and experimental sound.

Sound

One of the key differences between Heavy Metal and Post Metal is their sound. Heavy Metal is known for its loud, aggressive sound with fast tempos, heavy riffs, and intense vocals. The music is often characterized by its use of power chords, palm muting, and guitar solos. In contrast, Post Metal has a more atmospheric and experimental sound, with slower tempos, layered textures, and a focus on creating mood and atmosphere. Post Metal often incorporates elements of ambient music, post-rock, and other genres to create a more complex and nuanced sound.

Lyrics

Lyrically, Heavy Metal and Post Metal also differ in their themes and subject matter. Heavy Metal lyrics often focus on themes of rebellion, power, and darkness, with songs about war, fantasy, and the occult being common. The lyrics are often aggressive and confrontational, reflecting the genre's intense sound. In contrast, Post Metal lyrics tend to be more introspective and abstract, with themes of isolation, existentialism, and introspection being common. The lyrics often explore complex emotional and philosophical themes, reflecting the genre's more atmospheric and experimental sound.

Instrumentation

Instrumentation is another area where Heavy Metal and Post Metal differ. Heavy Metal typically features a traditional rock band setup, with guitars, bass, drums, and vocals being the primary instruments. The guitars in Heavy Metal are often heavily distorted and played with a high level of technical skill, while the drums are fast and aggressive. In contrast, Post Metal often incorporates a wider range of instruments and textures, with bands using elements like keyboards, samples, and ambient sounds to create a more layered and atmospheric sound. The instrumentation in Post Metal is often more experimental and unconventional, reflecting the genre's more avant-garde approach to music.

Popularity

When it comes to popularity, Heavy Metal is generally more well-known and mainstream than Post Metal. Heavy Metal has a large and dedicated fan base around the world, with bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slayer achieving commercial success and mainstream recognition. Heavy Metal is also a popular genre for live performances, with festivals like Wacken Open Air and Download Festival drawing thousands of fans each year. In contrast, Post Metal is a more niche genre with a smaller but dedicated fan base. While Post Metal bands like Cult of Luna and Russian Circles have achieved critical acclaim, the genre remains relatively underground and is less well-known outside of the metal community.

Influence

Despite their differences, both Heavy Metal and Post Metal have had a significant influence on the wider music scene. Heavy Metal has been a major influence on countless bands and genres, with its aggressive sound and rebellious attitude shaping the development of rock and metal music for decades. Heavy Metal has also had an impact on popular culture, with its imagery and themes being used in movies, TV shows, and other forms of media. Post Metal, on the other hand, has been influential in pushing the boundaries of metal music and exploring new sonic territories. Post Metal bands have inspired a new generation of musicians to experiment with different sounds and textures, leading to the development of new and innovative styles of music.