D-beat
Encyclopedia
D-beat is a style of hardcore punk
developed in the early 1980s by imitators of Discharge
, for whom the genre is named. Discharge may have themselves inherited the beat from Motörhead. The first such group was The Varukers
.
The vocal content of D-beat tends towards shouted slogans. The style is distinct from its predecessors by its minimal lyrical content and greater proximity to heavy metal. It is closely associated with crust punk
, which is a heavier, more complex variation. D-beat bands typically have anti-war, anarchist messages and closely follow the bleak nuclear war imagery of 1980s anarcho-punk
bands. The style was particularly popular in Sweden
, and developed there by groups such as Anti Cimex, Mob 47
, Driller Killer
, Wolfpack
, No Security, Totalitär
, Avskum
, Skitsystem
and Disfear
are also Swedish D-beat groups. Other D-beat groups include Doom, from the UK; Disclose
, from Japan
; Crucifix
and Final Conflict
, from the U.S.; Ratos de Porão
, from Brazil
; and MG15
, from Spain
. As punk historian Ian Glasper writes, "In the turbulent wake of Discharge, a hundred Discore - or D-beat - punk bands sprang up around the world."
Rock journalist Robbie Mackey described D-beat as characterized by "hardcore drumming set against breakneck riffage and unintelligible howls about anarchy, working-stiffs-as-rats, and banding together to, you know, fight."
, from Stockholm
, recorded in 1979. They were followed by KSMB
(En Slemmig Torsk), Missbrukarna, and more famously, Anti Cimex. Anti Cimex's second 7" EP, Raped Ass, has been described as "one of the rawest and most violent hardcore releases ever." Other such groups included Shitlickers, Moderat Likvidation
, Mob 47
, and Asocial. Mob 47 is credited with mixing Discharge's style with American hardcore punk
. Many of these later groups began to practice the crust punk
style. Scandinavian bands, including Driller Killer
, Totalitär
, Skitsystem
, Wolfbrigade
, and Disfear
, remain some of the most well-known D-beat bands, although their sound has cleaved closely to developments in death metal
.
and Diamond Head
had used the beat previously. The term was coined by Rich Militia, the singer of Sore Throat
, in 1988, to describe the drum pattern played by Dave "Bambi" Ellesmere, Roberts's replacement, on Discharge's EP Why?.
Three versions of D-beat drum tabs:
First (like early Anti Cimex and Discharge
):
C:|x--x-x--x--x-x--:||
S:|--o---o---o---o-:||
K:|o--o-o--o--o-o--:||
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + S=snare K=kick C=crash
Second - Verse & Chorus (like Avskum
):
H:|x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-:|| C:|x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-:||
S:|--o---o---o---o-:|| S:|--o---o---o---o-:||
K:|o--o-o--o--o-o--:|| K:|o--o-o--o--o-o--:||
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + S=snare K=kick H=hihat C=crash
Third (Speed metal beat) (listen to sample or ):
H:|x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-:||
S:|--o---o---o---o-:||
K:|o----o--o--o-o--:||
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + S=snare K=kick H=hihat
and other D-beat bands influenced the thrash metal
bands of the mid-1980s (particularly Metallica
, Anthrax
and Sepultura
).
Although bands have played in this style since the early 1980s, hardcore punk is currently experiencing a resurgence of interest in Discharge
and Scandinavian/Japanese- influenced hardcore. Many of these bands also take inspiration from crust punk
; bands such as Wolfbrigade
and Tragedy
are largely responsible for the movement towards fusing the driving Discharge sound with dark, melodic elements reminiscent of Amebix
.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
developed in the early 1980s by imitators of Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
, for whom the genre is named. Discharge may have themselves inherited the beat from Motörhead. The first such group was The Varukers
The Varukers
The Varukers are a UK D-beat band formed in 1979 by vocalist Anthony "Rat" Martin, which produced its most influential recordings in the early 1980s. The band are one of the first to play in the musical style of the hardcore punk band Discharge, known as D-beat...
.
The vocal content of D-beat tends towards shouted slogans. The style is distinct from its predecessors by its minimal lyrical content and greater proximity to heavy metal. It is closely associated with crust punk
Crust punk
Crust punk is a form of music influenced by anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the mid-1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on political and social ills...
, which is a heavier, more complex variation. D-beat bands typically have anti-war, anarchist messages and closely follow the bleak nuclear war imagery of 1980s anarcho-punk
Anarcho-punk
Anarcho-punk is punk rock that promotes anarchism. The term anarcho-punk is sometimes applied exclusively to bands that were part of the original anarcho-punk movement in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
bands. The style was particularly popular in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, and developed there by groups such as Anti Cimex, Mob 47
Mob 47
Mob 47 is a hardcore punk band which formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1982, originally under the name of "Censur". In 1983 the band members changed the name to what it's now called "Mob 47" when singer Mentis entered the band. During their early years they played with the legendary band Anti Cimex....
, Driller Killer
Driller Killer (band)
Driller Killer is a Swedish D-beat/crust punk band, strongly influenced by the sound of Discharge. They were formed in 1993 in Malmö and are named after the Abel Ferrara movie of the same name...
, Wolfpack
Wolfbrigade
Wolfbrigade are a Swedish D-beat crust punk band, formed in 1995. Their line-up has included members of Asta Kask, To What End?, Today's Overdose, Cosa Nostra, Anti Cimex, Obscure Infinity and Harlequin. Their music was a groundbreaking mix of Swedish hardcore punk and death metal that paved the...
, No Security, Totalitär
Totalitär
Totalitär is a Swedish hardcore punk band formed 1985 in Hudiksvall. The band plays in the style of D-beat and hardcore punk. Its original members were Poffen, Lanchy, Andreas and Lennart...
, Avskum
Avskum
Avskum is a Swedish D-beat punk band from Kristinehamn, Sweden. Playing classic Swedish hardcore influenced by Discharge, Avskum started in the early 1980s, only to temporarily disband until the mid 1990s where they returned more productive than ever. All original members except the original...
, Skitsystem
Skitsystem
Skitsystem is a Swedish crust punk band formed in early 1994. Their sound was heavily influenced by death metal and d-beat. In actuality, band members originally came from different death metal bands, bonding over a common interest in d-beat. The band announced in December 2007 that they were on...
and Disfear
Disfear
Disfear is a Swedish D-beat band that formed in the early 1990s. They have only recorded sporadically over the years. After releasing the albums Soul Scars in 1995 and Everyday Slaughter in 1997, the group did not release an album until 2003 with a 12 track album, Misanthropic Generation, featuring...
are also Swedish D-beat groups. Other D-beat groups include Doom, from the UK; Disclose
Disclose
Disclose were a Japanese D-beat band from Kōchi City, heavily influenced by Discharge. Their sound heavily replicates Discharge's style, with an increased use of fuzz and distortion guitar effects. The subject matter is also similar to Discharge, in that the songs' themes are primarily about...
, from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
; Crucifix
Crucifix (band)
Crucifix was an American hardcore punk band from Berkeley, California, active from 1980 to 1984. They were among the most popular acts of the San Francisco hardcore scene of the early 1980s...
and Final Conflict
Final Conflict
Final Conflict is a hardcore punk band from Long Beach, California formed in 1983. They have gone through various lineup changes since then with the only constant member being their original guitar player, Jeff Harp. Currently the band's lineup includes Shane McLachlan and Calum Mackenzie of the...
, from the U.S.; Ratos de Porão
Ratos de Porão
Ratos de Porão is a Brazilian hardcore punk band from São Paulo. They were formed in 1980, toured South America, North America, and Europe and still continue to play today...
, from Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
; and MG15
MG15 (band)
MG15 are a Spanish d-beat band formed in 1980, but they used the name Slips & Sperma until 1983. MG15's contacts with bands & zines from many different countries helped MG15 establish a connection worldwide. The subject matter is similar to Discharge, in that the songs' themes are primarily on war...
, from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. As punk historian Ian Glasper writes, "In the turbulent wake of Discharge, a hundred Discore - or D-beat - punk bands sprang up around the world."
Rock journalist Robbie Mackey described D-beat as characterized by "hardcore drumming set against breakneck riffage and unintelligible howls about anarchy, working-stiffs-as-rats, and banding together to, you know, fight."
Swedish D-beat
The first Swedish D-beat song is "Marquee," by Rude KidsRude Kids
Rude Kids is a punk rock band from Hagsätra. Their first single "Raggare is a Bunch of Motherfuckers", that they recorded themselves, was released by Polydor. Rude Kids was the first Swedish punk band to release a record trough a major record label. The single sold between 5000 and 6000 copies...
, from Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, recorded in 1979. They were followed by KSMB
KSMB
KSMB was a Swedish punk rock band from 1977 to 1982. The young band members grew up and lived in the working-class suburb Skärholmen outside Stockholm.-History:...
(En Slemmig Torsk), Missbrukarna, and more famously, Anti Cimex. Anti Cimex's second 7" EP, Raped Ass, has been described as "one of the rawest and most violent hardcore releases ever." Other such groups included Shitlickers, Moderat Likvidation
Moderat Likvidation
Moderat likvidation is a Swedish hardcore punk band formed in Malmö in 1980 by guitarist Per Berglund and singer Patrik "Fjalle" Wisemark. The band originally existed between 1980 and 1985, but reunited in 2007...
, Mob 47
Mob 47
Mob 47 is a hardcore punk band which formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1982, originally under the name of "Censur". In 1983 the band members changed the name to what it's now called "Mob 47" when singer Mentis entered the band. During their early years they played with the legendary band Anti Cimex....
, and Asocial. Mob 47 is credited with mixing Discharge's style with American hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
. Many of these later groups began to practice the crust punk
Crust punk
Crust punk is a form of music influenced by anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the mid-1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on political and social ills...
style. Scandinavian bands, including Driller Killer
Driller Killer (band)
Driller Killer is a Swedish D-beat/crust punk band, strongly influenced by the sound of Discharge. They were formed in 1993 in Malmö and are named after the Abel Ferrara movie of the same name...
, Totalitär
Totalitär
Totalitär is a Swedish hardcore punk band formed 1985 in Hudiksvall. The band plays in the style of D-beat and hardcore punk. Its original members were Poffen, Lanchy, Andreas and Lennart...
, Skitsystem
Skitsystem
Skitsystem is a Swedish crust punk band formed in early 1994. Their sound was heavily influenced by death metal and d-beat. In actuality, band members originally came from different death metal bands, bonding over a common interest in d-beat. The band announced in December 2007 that they were on...
, Wolfbrigade
Wolfbrigade
Wolfbrigade are a Swedish D-beat crust punk band, formed in 1995. Their line-up has included members of Asta Kask, To What End?, Today's Overdose, Cosa Nostra, Anti Cimex, Obscure Infinity and Harlequin. Their music was a groundbreaking mix of Swedish hardcore punk and death metal that paved the...
, and Disfear
Disfear
Disfear is a Swedish D-beat band that formed in the early 1990s. They have only recorded sporadically over the years. After releasing the albums Soul Scars in 1995 and Everyday Slaughter in 1997, the group did not release an album until 2003 with a 12 track album, Misanthropic Generation, featuring...
, remain some of the most well-known D-beat bands, although their sound has cleaved closely to developments in death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
.
Drum beat
The name "D-beat" refers to a specific drumbeat, associated with The Varukers, Brian Roe (Brains), Discharge, Garry Malloney & Tez Roberts, Discharge's first drummer, though rock musicians such as BuzzcocksBuzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
and Diamond Head
Diamond Head
Diamond Head may refer to:* Diamond Head, Hawaii, a volcanic cone on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu known to Hawaiians as Leahi* Diamond Head , a song by the Beach Boys from their 1968 album Friends...
had used the beat previously. The term was coined by Rich Militia, the singer of Sore Throat
Sore Throat
Sore Throat were a British crust punk / grindcore band, formed in Yorkshire in 1987. They are known for being one of the earliest exponents of the grindcore subgenre known as "noisecore", as well launching the careers of several prominent members of the British metal community.-Biography:Sore...
, in 1988, to describe the drum pattern played by Dave "Bambi" Ellesmere, Roberts's replacement, on Discharge's EP Why?.
Three versions of D-beat drum tabs:
First (like early Anti Cimex and Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
):
C:|x--x-x--x--x-x--:||
S:|--o---o---o---o-:||
K:|o--o-o--o--o-o--:||
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + S=snare K=kick C=crash
Second - Verse & Chorus (like Avskum
Avskum
Avskum is a Swedish D-beat punk band from Kristinehamn, Sweden. Playing classic Swedish hardcore influenced by Discharge, Avskum started in the early 1980s, only to temporarily disband until the mid 1990s where they returned more productive than ever. All original members except the original...
):
H:|x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-:|| C:|x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-:||
S:|--o---o---o---o-:|| S:|--o---o---o---o-:||
K:|o--o-o--o--o-o--:|| K:|o--o-o--o--o-o--:||
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + S=snare K=kick H=hihat C=crash
Third (Speed metal beat) (listen to sample or ):
H:|x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-:||
S:|--o---o---o---o-:||
K:|o----o--o--o-o--:||
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + S=snare K=kick H=hihat
Legacy
DischargeDischarge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
and other D-beat bands influenced the thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
bands of the mid-1980s (particularly Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
and Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
).
Although bands have played in this style since the early 1980s, hardcore punk is currently experiencing a resurgence of interest in Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
and Scandinavian/Japanese- influenced hardcore. Many of these bands also take inspiration from crust punk
Crust punk
Crust punk is a form of music influenced by anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the mid-1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on political and social ills...
; bands such as Wolfbrigade
Wolfbrigade
Wolfbrigade are a Swedish D-beat crust punk band, formed in 1995. Their line-up has included members of Asta Kask, To What End?, Today's Overdose, Cosa Nostra, Anti Cimex, Obscure Infinity and Harlequin. Their music was a groundbreaking mix of Swedish hardcore punk and death metal that paved the...
and Tragedy
Tragedy (band)
Tragedy is a melodic crust punk band originally from Memphis, Tennessee and formed in 2000.-Members:*Todd Burdette - Guitar/Vocals - Also of Deathreat, Severed Head of State, Trauma and Warcry, Formerly of Copout, Rueben James, His Hero is Gone, Funeral and Call The Police*Yannick Lorrain - Guitar...
are largely responsible for the movement towards fusing the driving Discharge sound with dark, melodic elements reminiscent of Amebix
Amebix
Amebix are an English crust punk/heavy metal band. Formed as "The Band with No Name," Amebix's original run was from 1978 to 1987, during which time they released three EPs and two full-length LPs...
.