Rock vs. Metal — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Rock is a genre of music characterized by strong rhythms and amplified instruments, while Metal is a heavier subgenre of rock with aggressive tones and thematic elements. Both are influential in the music world but differ in intensity and style.
Difference Between Rock and Metal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rock and Metal are music genres that have carved distinct identities over the years. Rock, originating in the late 1940s and early 1950s, has its roots in rock and roll, blues, and country music. Characterized by strong rhythms, rock primarily uses amplified instruments and vocals. It covers a vast spectrum from soft rock to hard rock, each having unique characteristics.
Metal, on the other hand, emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a heavier, more aggressive offshoot of rock. Metal music is identified by its thick sound, extended guitar solos, and overall louder volume. Its themes often gravitate towards the macabre, fantasy, or socially critical elements.
While rock can be versatile in its themes, touching everything from love to societal issues, Metal tends to be darker in its tonality and lyricism. The guitar riffs in rock are rhythmic and melodic, while in Metal, they are generally heavier and more complex.
Comparison Chart
Origins
Late 1940s-1950s; roots in rock and roll, blues.
Late 1960s-1970s; emerged as a heavier offshoot of rock.
Instrumentation
Amplified instruments with strong rhythms.
Heavier sound, extended guitar solos, louder volume.
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Themes
Versatile: love, rebellion, societal issues.
Often darker: macabre, fantasy, societal criticism.
Guitar Riffs
Rhythmic and melodic.
Heavier, complex.
Subgenres
Punk rock, alternative rock, indie rock, etc.
Death metal, black metal, power metal, etc.
Compare with Definitions
Rock
Hard, naturally occurring substance.
She sat on a large rock overlooking the sea.
Metal
A solid material, typically hard, shiny, malleable.
The ring was made of precious metal.
Rock
To move back and forth.
The baby's cradle began to rock gently.
Metal
A genre of rock music with aggressive tones.
Metal bands like Metallica have a massive following.
Rock
To wear or use, especially with confidence.
He can really rock that new hairstyle.
Metal
Mettle or spirit.
He showed his true metal in the finals.
Rock
The solid mineral material forming part of the surface of the earth and other similar planets, exposed on the surface or underlying the soil
A piece of rock
A spectacular rock arch
The beds of rock are slightly tilted
Metal
A metal (from Greek μέταλλον métallon, "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typically malleable (they can be hammered into thin sheets) or ductile (can be drawn into wires).
Rock
A large piece of rock which has become detached from a cliff or mountain; a boulder
The stream flowed through a jumble of rocks
Metal
A solid material which is typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and ductile, with good electrical and thermal conductivity (e.g. iron, gold, silver, and aluminium, and alloys such as steel)
Being a metal, aluminium readily conducts heat
An adjustable pole made of metal
Rock
Used to refer to someone or something that is extremely strong, reliable, or hard
The Irish scrum has been as solid as a rock
Metal
Broken stone for use in making roads
The work also involves dealing with rock aggregates for potential use as suitable road metal
Rock
Money.
Metal
Molten glass before it is blown or cast.
Rock
Rock music
The store plays a peculiar blend of 70s and 80s rock
A rock concert
Metal
Heavy metal or similar rock music
Crunching power-trio metal
Industrial music is also a blend of metal and techno
Rock
A gentle movement to and fro or from side to side
She placed the baby in the cot and gave it a rock
Metal
Made from or coated with metal
A range of metalled key rings
Rock
Move gently to and fro or from side to side
The vase rocked back and forth on its base
She rocked the baby in her arms
Metal
Make or mend (a road) with road metal
The road was metalled and tolls charged for the upkeep
Follow the metalled road for about 200 yards
Rock
Dance to or play rock music
He looked a totally different man and ready to rock
Metal
Any of a category of electropositive elements that usually have a shiny surface, are generally good conductors of heat and electricity, and can be melted or fused, hammered into thin sheets, or drawn into wires. Typical metals form salts with nonmetals, basic oxides with oxygen, and alloys with one another.
Rock
Wear (a garment) or affect (an attitude or style), especially in a confident or flamboyant way
She was rocking a clingy little leopard-skin number
Metal
An alloy of two or more metallic elements.
Rock
Relatively hard, naturally formed mineral or petrified matter; stone.
Metal
An object made of metal.
Rock
A relatively small piece or fragment of such material.
Metal
Basic character; mettle.
Rock
A relatively large body of such material, as a cliff or peak.
Metal
Broken stones used for road surfaces or railroad beds.
Rock
A naturally formed aggregate of mineral matter constituting a significant part of the earth's crust.
Metal
Molten glass, especially when used in glassmaking.
Rock
One that is similar to or suggestive of a mass of stone in stability, firmness, or dependability
The family has been his rock during this difficult time.
Metal
Molten cast iron.
Rock
Rocks(Slang) Money.
Metal
(Printing) Type made of metal.
Rock
(Slang) A large gem, especially a diamond.
Metal
(Music) Heavy metal.
Rock
(Slang) Crack cocaine.
Metal
To cover or surface (a roadbed, for example) with broken stones.
Rock
A varicolored stick candy.
Metal
(heading) Chemical elements or alloys, and the mines where their ores come from.
Rock
Rock candy.
Metal
Any of a number of chemical elements in the periodic table that form a metallic bond with other metal atoms; generally shiny, somewhat malleable and hard, often a conductor of heat and electricity.
Rock
A rocking motion.
Metal
Any material with similar physical properties, such as an alloy.
Rock
The act of rocking.
Metal
(astronomy) An element which was not directly created after the Big Bang but instead formed through nuclear reactions; any element other than hydrogen and helium.
Rock
(Music) A form of popular music characterized by electronically amplified instrumentation, a heavily accented beat, and relatively simple phrase structure. Originating in the United States in the 1950s, rock incorporates a variety of musical styles, especially rhythm and blues, country music, and gospel. Also called rock-and-roll, rock 'n' roll.
Metal
Crushed rock, stones etc. used to make a road.
Rock
To move back and forth or from side to side, especially gently or rhythmically.
Metal
(mining) The ore from which a metal is derived.
Rock
To sway violently, as from a blow or shock.
Metal
(obsolete) A mine from which ores are taken.
Rock
To be washed and panned in a cradle or in a rocker. Used of ores.
Metal
(tincture) A light tincture used in a coat of arms, specifically argent (white or silver) and or (gold).
Rock
(Music) To play or dance to rock music.
Metal
Molten glass that is to be blown or moulded to form objects.
Rock
(Slang) To be excellent or outstanding. Used in exclamations of approval.
Metal
(music) A category of rock music encompassing a number of genres (including thrash metal, death metal, heavy metal, etc.) characterized by strong drum-beats and distorted guitars.
Rock
To move (a child, for example) back and forth or from side to side, especially in order to soothe or lull to sleep.
Metal
The substance that constitutes something or someone; matter; hence, character or temper.
Rock
To cause to shake or sway violently.
Metal
The effective power or calibre of guns carried by a vessel of war.
Rock
To disturb the mental or emotional equilibrium of; upset
News of the scandal rocked the town.
Metal
The rails of a railway.
Rock
To excite or cause strong feeling in, as by playing rock music.
Metal
The actual airline operating a flight, rather than any of the codeshare operators.
We have American Airlines tickets, but it's on British Airways metal.
Rock
To wash or pan (ore) in a cradle or rocker.
Metal
(music) Characterized by strong drum-beats and distorted guitars.
Rock
In mezzotint engraving, to roughen (a metal plate) with a rocker or roulette.
Metal
Having the emotional or social characteristics associated with metal music; brash, bold, frank, unyielding, etc.
Rock
(Slang) To exhibit, display, or use with flair
The actor rocked a pair of diamond-studded sunglasses at the movie premiere.
Metal
To make a road using crushed rock, stones etc.
Rock
A formation of minerals, specifically:
Metal
An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc.
Rock
(uncountable) The naturally occurring aggregate of solid mineral matter that constitutes a significant part of the earth's crust.
The face of the cliff is solid rock.
Metal
Ore from which a metal is derived; - so called by miners.
Rock
A mass of stone projecting out of the ground or water.
The ship crashed on the rocks.
Metal
A mine from which ores are taken.
Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals.
Rock
(chiefly British) A boulder or large stone; or a smaller stone; a pebble.
Some fool has thrown a rock through my window.
Metal
The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper.
Not till God make men of some other metal than earth.
Rock
(geology) Any natural material with a distinctive composition of minerals.
Metal
Courage; spirit; mettle. See Mettle.
Rock
(slang) A precious stone or gem, especially a diamond.
Look at the size of that rock on her finger!
Metal
The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting railroads.
Rock
A large hill or island having no vegetation.
Pearl Rock near Cape Cod is so named because the morning sun makes it gleam like a pearl.
Metal
The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel of war.
Rock
(figuratively) Something that is strong, stable, and dependable; a person who provides security or support to another.
Metal
Glass in a state of fusion.
Rock
A lump or cube of ice.
I'll have a whisky on the rocks, please.
Metal
The rails of a railroad.
Rock
A type of confectionery made from sugar in the shape of a stick, traditionally having some text running through its length.
While we're in Brighton, let's get a stick of rock!
Metal
To cover with metal; as, to metal a ship's bottom; to metal a road.
Rock
A crystallized lump of crack cocaine.
Metal
Any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
Rock
An unintelligent person, especially one who repeats mistakes.
Metal
A mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten;
Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper
Rock
An Afrikaner.
Metal
Cover with metal
Rock
An extremely conservative player who is willing to play only the very strongest hands.
Metal
Containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal;
A metallic compound
Metallic luster
The strange metallic note of the meadow lark, suggesting the clash of vibrant blades
Rock
Any of several fish:
Metal
Melted material used in molding.
The sculptor poured the metal into the mold.
Rock
The striped bass.
Metal
Roadways or tracks made of metal.
The train sped along the metal.
Rock
The huss or rock salmon.
We ordered rock and chips to take away.
Rock
A basketball.
Yo homie, pass the rock!
Rock
A mistake.
Rock
(curling) stone.
Rock
(rock paper scissors) A closed hand (a handshape resembling a rock), that beats scissors and loses to paper. It beats lizard and loses to Spock in rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock.
Rock
A cricket ball, especially a new one that has not been softened by use
Rock
A crystal used to control the radio frequency.
Rock
An act of rocking; a rocking motion; a sway.
Rock
A style of music characterized by basic drum-beat, generally 4/4 riffs, based on (usually electric) guitar, bass guitar, drums, and vocals.
Rock
(countable) Distaff.
Rock
(uncountable) The flax or wool on a distaff.
Rock
To move gently back and forth.
Rock the baby to sleep.
The empty swing rocked back and forth in the wind.
Rock
(transitive) To cause to shake or sway violently.
Don't rock the boat.
Rock
(intransitive) To sway or tilt violently back and forth.
The boat rocked at anchor.
Rock
To be washed and panned in a cradle or in a rocker.
The ores had been rocked and laid out for inspection.
Rock
(transitive) To disturb the emotional equilibrium of; to distress; to greatly impact (most often positively).
Downing Street has been rocked by yet another sex scandal.
She rocked my world.
Rock
(intransitive) To do well or to be operating at high efficiency.
Rock
To be cool.
That band rocks!
Rock
To make love to or have sex with.
Rock
(intransitive) To sway one's body as a stim.
Rock
(intransitive) To play, perform, or enjoy rock music, especially with a lot of skill or energy.
Let's rock!
Rock
To be very favourable or skilful; excel; be fantastic.
Chocolate rocks.
My holidays in Ibiza rocked! I can't wait to go back.
Rock
(transitive) To thrill or excite, especially with rock music.
Let's rock this joint!
Rock
(transitive) To do something with excitement yet skillfully.
I need to rock a piss.
Rock
(transitive) To wear (a piece of clothing, outfit etc.) successfully or with style; to carry off (a particular look, style).
Rock
See Roc.
Rock
A distaff used in spinning; the staff or frame about which flax is arranged, and from which the thread is drawn in spinning.
Sad Clotho held the rocke, the whiles the threadBy grisly Lachesis was spun with pain,That cruel Atropos eftsoon undid.
Rock
A large concreted mass of stony material; a large fixed stone or crag. See Stone.
Come one, come all! this rock shall flyFrom its firm base as soon as I.
Rock
Any natural deposit forming a part of the earth's crust, whether consolidated or not, including sand, earth, clay, etc., when in natural beds.
Rock
That which resembles a rock in firmness; a defense; a support; a refuge.
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress.
Rock
Fig.: Anything which causes a disaster or wreck resembling the wreck of a vessel upon a rock.
Rock
The striped bass. See under Bass.
Rock
To cause to sway backward and forward, as a body resting on a support beneath; as, to rock a cradle or chair; to cause to vibrate; to cause to reel or totter.
A rising earthquake rocked the ground.
Rock
To move as in a cradle; hence, to put to sleep by rocking; to still; to quiet.
Rock
To move or be moved backward and forward; to be violently agitated; to reel; to totter.
The rocking townSupplants their footsteps.
Rock
To roll or saway backward and forward upon a support; as, to rock in a rocking-chair.
Rock
A lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter;
He threw a rock at me
Rock
Material consisting of the aggregate of minerals like those making up the Earth's crust;
That mountain is solid rock
Stone is abundant in New England and there are many quarries
Rock
United States gynecologist and devout Catholic who conducted the first clinical trials of the oral contraceptive pill (1890-1984)
Rock
(figurative) someone who is strong and stable and dependable;
He was her rock during the crisis
Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church
Rock
Hard stick bright-colored stick candy typically peppermint flavored
Rock
A genre of popular music originating in the 1950s; a blend of Black rhythm-and-blues with White country-and-western;
Rock is a generic term for the range of styles that evolved out of rock'n'roll.
Rock
Pitching dangerously to one side
Rock
Move back and forth or sideways;
The ship was rocking
The tall building swayed
She rocked back and forth on her feet
Rock
Cause to move back and forth;
Rock the cradle
Rock the baby
The wind swayed the trees gently
Rock
A music genre with strong rhythms.
Rock bands like The Beatles changed the music landscape.
Rock
A person or thing that is extremely reliable.
In tough times, she was his rock.
Common Curiosities
Which came first, Rock or Metal?
Rock came first, with Metal emerging as a subgenre later.
Is Metal only a type of music?
No, Metal can refer to a material, music genre, or even mettle/spirit.
Are Rock and Metal mutually exclusive?
No, Metal is a subgenre of Rock, but they have distinct characteristics.
Can Rock also refer to a solid object?
Yes, a rock can refer to a hard, naturally occurring substance.
Is Metal a type of Rock?
Yes, Metal is a subgenre of Rock but is heavier and more aggressive.
Which is heavier, Rock or Metal music?
Metal music is generally considered heavier than Rock.
Can a song have both Rock and Metal elements?
Yes, some songs blend elements of both genres.
What instruments are common in Rock?
Guitars, bass, drums, and vocals are common in Rock.
Are extended guitar solos a hallmark of Metal?
Yes, extended and complex guitar solos are characteristic of Metal.
Is Rock music always loud?
No, Rock has various subgenres, some of which, like soft rock, are mellower.
Which genre has darker thematic elements?
Metal often has darker and more aggressive themes.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
