Grindcore Style
Brutal Truth
The same instruments that are found in traditional heavy metal and hardcore punk music–electric guitars, bass guitars, drums–are used to create grindcore music. Down-tuned guitars are also used in some grindcore productions. The difference is in the actual way the instruments are used.
A telltale sign of a grindcore song would be the blast beat, which is played at tempos 124, 160, 200 and 240 BPM. These beats have been described as being less about music and more about violence and shock.
Both the tone and song structure are different with grindcore music. Vocal stylings include high-pitched screaming or shrieking as well as deep, guttural growling and barking from the throat. Songs are generally much faster than heavy metal and hardcore punk songs, and lyrics may not be included at all. Some bands only use vocals to create sound wordless effects within a song.
When lyrics are used, they tend to be very controversial and provocative. Since grindcore artists also tend to be activists, many themes portrayed in their songs tend to be about their causes. These include social and political issues such as feminism, anti-racism, anarchy, animal rights, anti-militarism, and anti-capitalism. Some artists also include black humor or satire.
Carcass
Others, many of them animal rights activists, produce goregrind music, which is made up of very low-pitched vocals and gory, bloody pathological subjects as the subject matter. This usually extends to the album cover art as well.
Many grindcore songs are so short and fast that they have been labeled “micorsongs.” These songs are so short that they only last seconds.