Genre Project

Industrial

Industrial music is a genre of music that draws on harsh, mechanical, transgressive or provocative sounds and themes. This originated in the early 1970s, but in a very experimental form becoming much more grounded over time. Industrial music is very popular with the Rivethead subculture, and also has some punk influences too, especially in its earlier forms (artists such as Throbbing Gristle for example). Industrial Music got its name from the record label Industrial Records (1976).

Cold wave

Cold wave originated sometime in the late 70s, when Punk bands were heavily inspired by groups such as Kraftwerk. While New Wave split off Punk music, and became more pop-oriented and marketable, Cold wave kept a dark, cold sound. Shares some similarities with Darkwave but tends to be more minimalistic and experimental.

Darkwave

One of the first forms of Industrial Music, originating in the late 70s. Darkwave was also related to Cold wave and gothic rock. Similar in a way to new wave and synthpop, but with a lot more gothic influence. You could sum this up as being New Wave + Gothic Rock.

EBM

Electronic Body Music (EBM) originated in the early 80s, combining elements of Synth-pop, Punk and Industrial. Generally darker than the likes of Synth-pop at the time, EBM was not very mainstream, as the tone and themes were not , but gained popularity with the likes of rivetheads later in the 80s.

Futurepop

Futurepop is an electronic music genre that has been characterized as a blend of synthpop, EBM and trance. In a way Futurepop is essentially EBM + Trance. This genre was likely either created by VNV Nation or Apoptygma Berzerk in the late 90s. This gained a bit more traction in the early 2000s and Futurepop artists such as Seabound, mind.in.a.box and others began producing it. Because of its ties with EBM, Futurepop artist tend to also produce tracks of other genres like EBM and Electro-Industrial. Futurepop also tends to be more upbeat than the other genres here.

Electro-Industrial

Likely the heaviest/grittiest Industrial subgenre. While EBM (electronic body music) has a minimal structure and clean production, electro-industrial tends to have a grittier, complex and layered sound with a more experimental approach. Vocals also tend to be harsh or rough. Electro-Industrial originated in the early 80s with groups like Skinny Puppy and Front Line Assembly. There are two derivatives of Electro-Industrial, Aggrotech and Dark electro.

Aggrotech

Aggrotech is heavily related to Hardcore music. It shares similar tempo, loudness and heavy basslines, but paired with the dark themes and vocals of Electro-industrial. Supersaw leads are common place along with heavy drums. This originated sometime in the early 2000s, with groups like Combichrist and Suicide Commando.

Dark electro

Dark electro shares some similarities with Aggrotech, but instead of a heavy Hardcore influence, but takes inspiration from Electro and Breakbeat music. This originated in the early 1990s with groups such as Velvet Acid Christ, Placebo Effect and yelworC.

Power Electronics

Power Electronics is one of the first Industrial genres, originating sometime in the late 70s. You could literally describe this as noise, and it would fall under the category of noise music. Power Electronics does not generally use melody and is atonal. Common characteristics are static, screeching sounds and distorted and screaming vocals occasionally.

Death Industrial

Death Industrial is a derivative of Power Electronics and shares a lot of the same characteristics, but tends to have much more emphasis on atmosphere, drones and pads. It has some similarities to Dark Ambient, with its slower and more atmospheric sound than Power Electronics.

Trance

Trance originated in the early 90s. At this time, genres such as House and Techno were already established. Trance shares some simularities with both. There are many subgenres of Trance, with some below:

Anthem Trance

Anthem Trance is perhaps the most energetic subgenre of trance. The sound could be described as something akin to Uplfiting Trance but a bit harder, and generally with rolling melodies.

Uplifting Trance

Perhaps the most well known subgenre of Trance. The name, which emerged in the wake of progressive trance in 1996, is derived from the feeling which listeners claim to get (often described as a "rush"). The genre, which originated in Germany, is massively popular in the trance scene, and is one of the dominant forms of dance music worldwide

Balearic Trance

Ibiza Trance, also known as Ibiza Trance (after the Balearic Islands), where it originated, tends to be mellow and often makes use of Pianos. Artists like Chicane and ATB are some well known artists that produced this often in the late 90s-early 2000s

Acid Trance

Acid Trance, like many Acid subgenres of other genres (such as Acid House, Acid Techno, etc) makes use of the iconic Roland TB-303 acid sound, but some more modern tracks sometimes use a clone synth like Behringer TD-3

Progressive Trance

Progressive Trance generally has driving bassline that tends to have more prescence than it would in other subgenres of Trance. Progressive Trance also tends to be a bit more experimental too. Artists like Nitrous Oxide, Gareth Emery, Robert Nickson, etc.

Goa Trance

Goa Trance originated in Goa, India in the early 1990s. This was a common destination in the Hippie Trail which lasted for decades. Goa Trance often uses droning, repetitive basslines and slowly evolve throughout the length of the song. Some also make use of traditionally Indian vocals, instruments and chords / melodies too. Goa Trance shares some similarities with Psytrance, which tends to gradually evolve over the runtime and make use of similar basslines and tempos.

Psytrance

Psytrance or Psychedelic Trance is similar to Goa Trance in tempo and basslines, but without the Goa, India influence.

Dark Trance

Dark Trance is almost the opposite of Uplifting Trance

Deep Trance

Similar to Ambient Trance, but with more percussion

Breaktrance

A fusion genre betweeen Trance and Breakbeat.

House

House is possibly the most popular form of electronic music, and has existed for a very long time, growing out many different subgenres during that time.

Progressive House

Progressive House is very popular and well known. Popular examples would include deadmau5, Arty and Mat Zo.

Anthem House

Anthem House, sometimes also called Big Room House is one of the most well known forms of house, especially recently.

Deep House

Deep House is a more mellow form of House music, and generally pretty easy to listen to. Some examples of record labels would be Anjunadeep, Silk Recordings and others. Usually this form of house is a bit slower and sometimes more atmospheric than the others.

Electro House

Electro House is one of the funkiest forms of House, and has existed for quite a while. This originated somewhere between the late 90s to early 2000s.

French House

Daft Punk is by far the most well known group that produced French House. This originated in the early to mid 90s. A very common characteristic of French House is sampling, often samples from 60s-70s songs, but sometimes 80s songs too. Filtering and similar effects are very common, which is way it is also called Filter House by some. If you're ever interested in where these samples come from https://www.whosampled.com/ is a great site for this.

Disco House

Originated slightly earlier than French House, and shares some similarities. Essentially a House revision of classic Disco. Similar to French House, some songs may sample older songs, while others may be similar

Synthwave

Synthwave is meant to recreate the nostalgia people have of the 80s, even in those who did not live through this time. It is heavily inspired by the likes of 80s action, sci-fi movies along with some other genres. Over time, Synthwave gained so much traction and popularity that it now appears in some movies, games and other forms of entertainment. It originated around the early 2000s.

Vaporwave

Vaporwave shares some similarties to Synthwave, however it typically directly samples, cuts and filters songs from the 70s, 80s and sometimes 60s. These samples are often also slowed significantly and have added reverb and delay.

Eurobeat

Initially this originated sometime in the mid 80s, mainly by Italians. This was related to Hi-NRG and shared a lot in common with it. However, over time Eurobeat became faster and more energetic (and honestly cheesier). This form of Eurobeat came around the late 90s and is more easily recognised as Eurobeat. Initial D may also have contributed to a lot of this popularity.

Early stages - 80s and 70s

Synthpop

Synthpop, which originated in the late 70s (popularized by Gary Numan's success with Cars), is one of the most iconic genres throughout the 80s. Often when people refer to "80s music," they are either referring to this or New Wave. However, these subgenres have some disintive differences. Synthpop was derived from New Wave, but tends to be "pop-ier" and has more emphasis on synths and other electronic instruments/gear, whilst New Wave

Hi-NRG

Hi-NRG (pronounced "high energy") is more upbeat and energetic version of Disco, and originated around the late 70s. Typically these tracks have a faster tempo and more percussion than Disco.

Garage House

Garage House, sometimes known as just "Garage" or "New York House" originated in the early to mid 80s in the US, mainly in New York and New Jersey. Garage House took a lot of inspiration from R&B and Soul music, incorporating elements of both. This in turn later inspired UK Garage in the early 90s, which then gave rise to Future Garage, 2-Step Garage and so on.

Chicago House

Garage House, sometimes known as just "Garage" or "New York House" originated in the early to mid 80s in the US, mainly in New York and New Jersey. Garage House took a lot of inspiration from R&B and Soul music, incorporating elements of both. This in turn later inspired UK Garage in the early 90s, which then gave rise to Future Garage, 2-Step Garage and so on.

Italo Disco

Italo Disco, also known as Italian Disco, originated in Italy in the late 70s. Despite being related to Hi-NRG, it tends to be slower and more mellow. It's name may have originated because of the way it was marketed at the time, but regardless this subgenre has its own distinct sound.

Disco

Disco originated in either the late 60s or early 70s. It was one of the first popular types of music to make use of some synthesizers and sequencers. A lot of Disco songs used a combination of electronic and typical instruments. Disco became one of the most popular genres of music around the mid to late 70s in the western world.

Jungle

Jungle is a funny one. I could have also named this Drum & Bass and it would have been at least partially true. Jungle originated in the UK in the early 90s, evolving from Breakbeat Hardcore (see Hardcore.) Jungle puts even more emphasis on rapid breakbeat patterns and basslines, and is generally higher tempo than Breakbeat in general. Over time, many subgenres grew out of Jungle, including Drum & Bass, which many people today refer to the genre as a whole.

IDM

Intelligent Dance Music (IDM) originated in the early 90s, the name being inspired by the 1992 Warp album "Artificial Intelligence," which was also the first IDM album. Also included in this album were artists such as Speedy J and Autechre. Not long after, popular artists such as Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada would also occasionally produce IDM. IDM blends aspects of Techno, Breakbeat, Ambient and others to create a very experimental sound that generally doesn't follow specific rules or restraints. Despite having the word "dance" in the title, IDM has always been best suited to just listening.

Liquid Drum n Bass

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Drum n Bass

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Atmospheric Jungle

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Liquid Drum n Bass

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Industrial Drum n Bass

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Oldskool Jungle

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Techno

Techno is least organic electronic genre, sounding the most machine-like than the others. It is also the most misnamed electronic genre too. Tracks are often long and repetitive, and can range from simple and mellow, to rough and industrial sounding.

Dub Techno

Dub Techno is a typically mellow type of Techno, related to Dub music. Tracks tend to have light percussion, slow moving delay heavy pads and subtle bass presence. Dub Techno is essentially a combination of Techno and Dub music. This emerged around the early 1990s. Dub Techno is often in playlists or sets as background music, and can sometimes be paired with Ambient music, sharing the subtle easy listening aspect.

Minimal Techno

Minimal Techno tracks tend to be very repetitive, more so than the other subgenres, sometimes slowly evolving over time. Similar to Dub Techno, Minimal Techno tends to be quite mellow.

Acid Techno

Acid Techno, like other Acid subgenres, makes use of the iconic Acid sound, often from the TB-303 or similar clone synths.

Detroit Techno

Detroit Techno is the most House-like subgenre of techno. It shares a lot of similarites specifically with Detroit House.

Industrial Techno

Industrial Techno is the roughest form of Techno, being significantly less mellow than a lot of other subgenres of techno. Drums tend to be more aggressive, along with other layers.

Chiptune

Chiptune, also known as 8-bit music, originated around the late 70s/early 80s. These songs were often

Breakbeat

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Progressive Breakbeat

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Future Garage

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Big Beat

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Acid Breakbeat

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Trip Hop

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Ambient

Ambient

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Deep Ambient

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New Age

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Ambient Breaks

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Ambient House

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Ambient Techno

Ambient Techno, like Ambient subgenres of others, combines both Techno and Ambient. Ambient Techno also tends to be more melodic than the others.

Ambient Trance

Ambient Trance, .

Psybient

While Ambient Trance is Ambient + Trance (generally Progressive and Uplifting Trance), Psybient is basically Psychedelic Trance / Goa Trance + Ambient. Psybient may use similar droning basslines found in Psychedelic trance and eastern vocals found in Goa Trance. Occasionally acid synths may be heard, along with some elements from IDM and New Age.

Ambient IDM

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Illbient

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Hardcore

Hardcore music, sometimes called "Hardcore techno," to differenciate it from Hardcore punk, originated in the late 80s with New Beat. Later, genres such as Happy Hardcore and Gabber emerged. Hardcore tends to be between 160-200 BPM, and either sounds rediculously Happy or incredibly angry for some reason. Hardcore has a lot of historical ties with Industrial Music, especially with New Beat, but later spawned its own genres such as Gabber and Hardstyle.

New Beat

New Beat was arguably the first Hardcore genre and originated in Belgium in the mid to late 80s. Combining elements from New Wave and EBM, but also occasionally taking influence from Hip-Hop, with elements such as record scratching. It was accidentally created during a set in Antwerp, Belgium when DJ Dikke Ronny played an EBM record at 33 RPM and at a higher pitch (+8). The track was "A Split Second - Flesh". New Beat groups began to emerge, inspired by EBM groups such as Front 242 and the Neon Judgement, along with New Wave groups such as Garry Numan and New Order.

Breakbeat Hardcore

Breakbeat Hardcore came around in the early 90s in the UK. This was the first popular Rave genre, and was often simply called "Rave". Hip hop samples were very common, along with piano samples (especially ones sampled from House tracks), occasional acid sounds and more. Happy Hardcore which spawned soon after would take heavy inspiration from Breakbeat Hardcore, sharing a lot of the same traits at a higher tempo.

Happy Hardcore

By far the cheesiest Hardcore genre. This originated in the early 90s, a little after Breakbeat Hardcore, which it was heavily inspired by. It was also very popular throughout the rave scene. Happy Hardcore tends to be high tempo with Piano riffs along with uplifting melodies and vocals. Some tracks may also use breakbeats such as the Amen Break (typically sped up a lot). Happy Hardcore albums historically almost always featured the iconic yellow smiley face.

Gabber

Gabber grew out of Rotterdamn, Amsterdam in the early 90s. Sometimes simply referred to as "Hardcore" alone. Gabber tends to be very fast, sometimes up to 190 BPM, with heavy and distorted drums. Gabber makes use of distorted synths and bass, and tends to be a lot darker than Hardstyle.

Hardstyle

Hardstyle originated in the late 90s and shares some similarities with Gabber, mainly the tempo and heavy drums. However, Hardstyle tends to be much more melodic in comparison. Hardstyle basslines are sometimes created by pitching a kick drum instead of using an actual bass synth. It's unknown for certain where Hardstyle appeared, but it was most likely within European countries like Germany and the Netherlands.

Rock

Alternative Rock

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Glam Rock

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Art Rock

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Industrial Rock

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Future Rock

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Soft Rock

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Post Rock

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Grunge

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Post Grunge

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Hard Rock

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Indie Rock

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Punk Rock

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Noise Rock

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Classic Rock

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Psychedelic Rock

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New Wave

New Wave shares a lot of similarites to Synthpop, and while it is also a combination of Rock/Punk with Electronic music, it tends to balance these aspects out more than Synthpop. It was derived from Punk Rock, but was considered a "New Wave" as it was much more preferred to the general public. Sometimes however, the line between what is Synth pop and what is New Wave can be blurry, which is why a lot of record labels at the time put down both the genres. New Wave originated sometime in the mid 70s in the UK and US. Blondie was arguably the pioneer of this.

Metal

Metal is often considered a heavier relative of Rock, however Metal itself has a lot of unique and different subgenres. Metal originated in the late 60s/early 70s as simply "Heavy Metal," a sort of pun on how metal is heavier than rock.

Alternative Metal

Possibly the most popular form of Metal today, similar to how Alternative Rock is likely the most popular form of Rock (kind of an irony considering the name). It combines elements of both Alternative Rock and Heavy Metal. It originated in the mid 80s from bands such as Soundgarden and Faith No More.

Power Metal

Power Metal originated around the mid 80s, which bands like Blind Guardian and Kamelot. Lyrical themes were heavily inspired by Fantasy settings such as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and other settings and fiction. Power Metal puts a lot of emphasis on melody, speed and an uplifting sound.

Symphonic Metal

Symphonic Metal combines elements of Heavy Metal and Orchestral classical music. Sometimes it is refered to as Opera Metal. Nightwish and Epica are some popular examples. Similar to Power Metal, lyrics may be inspired by Fantasy settings or historical settings.

Heavy Metal

The original Metal genre, simply when the genre was referred to as Heavy Metal, originated sometime between the late 60s and early 70s. Judas Priest, Led Zeplin and others were among the founders of this. Unlike the Rock music at the time Heavy Metal put much more emphasis on distorted guitars, solos, and being much louder overall.

Glam Metal

Glam Metal, also known as Hair Metal, originated about a decade or so after Heavy Metal, in the late 70s. Heavily inspired by Glam Rock, Glam Metal combines elements of both. Glam Metal tends to be more upbeat than Heavy Metal and imploys the fashion and image of Glam Rock also.

Industrial Metal

Industrial Metal combines elements of Heavy Metal and Industrial music. Industrial Metal originated in the late 80s, with some Nine Inch Nails songs, Marilyn Manson, Godflesh and KMFDM. Sometimes vocals are distorted, guitar riffs are repeated, often with sequencers (but not always), and synthizers are common place.

Prog Metal

Progressive Metal, often called Prog Metal has been around since the mid 80s, but has also evolved a lot within that time. Syncopationated melodies and experimentation however have remained. More modern Prog Metal bands may make use of Djent riffs, synths and more. Other than these factors, Prog Metal bands can vary a lot in style, and each band can produce a different sound.

Djent

Djent is a debatable sub genre. Related directly to Prog Metal, it has a even more focus on the syncopated rhythm patterns of prog metal, which is done by palm-muted, distored and sometimes down-tuned strings. The word "Djent" is meant to be onomatopoeic to this sound. The lead guitarist of the band Meshuggah is credited with creating this kind of sound, however, the band did not coin the term. Misha Mansoor is partially credited with the name (as he was looking for gear that was "djenty"), but seemingly does not consider it a genre alone, merely a sound. This was emphaized in Periphery's album "Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre". However I'm leaving this here regardless as it is still up for debate.

Melodic Death Metal

Melodic Death Metal (sometimes called melodeath) is heavily related to Death Metal, but uses more melodic guitar riffs. Just like most Death Metal songs, Melodic Death Metal shares the same harsh vocals, but occasionally these may be alongside more typical metal vocals. Some bands have two vocalists for this. This originated in Sweden in the mid to late 90s.

Post Metal

Related to Post Rock, Post Metal originated in the early 1990s. Post Metal has a lot of focus on atmosphere and textures, making it quite unique amongst other subgenres of metal. Songs are often longer than the average metal track.

Drone Metal

Drone Metal is heavily related to Post Metal, but tends to be much more drawn out and slower, similar to Drone Ambient, but using droning effects on guitar riffs and other instruments. Sometimes vocals are not present, but if they are they tend to be drawn out and slow. Drone Metal appeared around the same time as Post Metal in the early 1990s.

Blackgaze

Blackgaze combines elements of both Black Metal and Shoegaze. It is essentially the Metal equivalent of Shoegaze. Neige may be credited for the creation of this in France, early 2000s. Heavily inspired by Atmospheric Black Metal, his former personal project, now band, Alcest create a lot of this stuff and overtime other bands have picked up this sound.

Genre Guessing Game

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Spotify Game

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Elements

i = 0;

while (!deck.isInOrder()) {
	print 'Iteration ' + i;
	deck.shuffle();
	i++;
}

print 'It took ' + i + ' iterations to sort the deck.';