electro

Electro is a term used to describe specific styles of electronic music.

It was originally used to describe a subgenre of hip-hop that gained popularity in the early 1980's in Germany, England, and the US. Electro was directly influenced by Kraftwerk and Funk, whereas earlier hip-hop was closer to disco. Defining characteristics of this genre were dominating synthesizer lines and rhythm sections comprised of drum machine beats, rather than samples. Vocals were delivered in a robotic, dead pan matter.

As time progressed, many subgenres grew out of electro, as well as a certain fashion sense and attitude. Foremost among these were electroclash (a hybrid of electro, new wave, and Italo disco) and electropop (a form of synthpop characterized by a cold, robotic sound). It is heavily debated among music scholars whether or not these are actual subgenres of electro. Electro is considered synonymous to this day with these two genres.

Electro also spawned more valid, genuine subgenres, including electro funk, electro bass, glitch electro, downtempo electro, and minimal electro. Electro also influenced freestyle music and Miami bass (in turn creating techno bass), and had a significant role in the evolution of ghettotech.

When someone refers to electro in modern times it is not likely they are referring to the original hip-hop style. Electro is commonly used as shorthand for describing music from the electropop revival and electro house scene. Electro was extremely influential, inspiring a myriad of subgenres, all of which could be considered electro. This makes it very confusing when trying to ascertain exactly what strand of electro a certain artist's sound fits into.

In general, many people use electro to describe all electronic music meant to be danced to, distinguishing it from electronica (electronic music meant for home listening).

Electro is used most accurately to describe the original strand of funk influenced hip-hop. Electro purists consider this the only valid definition.

Afrika Bambaataa was a pioneer of early electro and electro funk.

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noisecore

A moniker used to define three very different types of music:

1. Noisecore is a synonym for noise rock, an extremely fast and volatile combination of punk rock and noise music. Examples include Lightning Bolt and Melt Banana.

2. Noisecore can refer to grindcore (an extreme combination of metal and punk) combined with noise music. This style focuses on speed and chaos rather than musicianship or structure. Examples include Anal Cunt and Gore Beyond Necropsy.

3. Noisecore is occasionally used to describe hardcore techno, an electronic music style that developed in the 1990's in New York, Rotterdam, and Newcastle. Examples include Anabolic Frolic and Ethos.

Noisecore is not related to any subgenre of metalcore, or metalcore itself. Some bands incorrectly referred to as noisecore such as Dillinger Escape Plan and Coalesce are not influenced by noise music and do not incorporate it into their respective sounds at all.

I.

John Doe: I heard this band from Japan kind of sounds like Merzbow combined with punk, but on speed.

Jane Doe: Huh, they're probably noisecore.

II.

John Doe: This band's so fast and crazy. They sound like a combination of Napalm Death and flaming motorcycles.

Jane Doe: Wow, sounds like they're noisecore.

III.

John Doe: Are you going to the rave tonight? I hear the DJ plays classic detroit techno, but really fast and he uses distorted industrial beats.

Jane Doe: I'm not going. I hate noisecore.

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dsbm

DSBM is an acronym for "depressive suicidal black metal." The use of said acronym sprung from the term NSBM, however the two scenes are by no means linked.

DSBM is primarily distinguished from traditional forms of black metal by its lyrical content, focusing on suicide, depression, anxiety, and hate rather than traditional anti-Christian themes.

Big names in the black metal community, such as Xasthur and Leviathan, have experimented heavily with DSBM's lyrical themes, while many young artists are quickly gaining popularity for their suicidal and depressive lyrics, notably Thy Light and Silencer.

Abyssic Hate's album Suicidal Emotions is considered a quintessential example of DSBM.

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