History MediaNotes / MohsScaleOfRockAndMetalHardness

* How [[DarkerAndEdgier dark and edgy]] the lyrics are, sometimes taking RefugeInAudacity. This is really only tangentially related to how hard the song actually is, but it's really the best measure if you can't figure out exactly how much distortion is on the guitar. A song titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0YifXhm-Zc She Loves You]] is going to be a lot softer than a song titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuV-Aq1PwqU Blunt Force Castration]]. Of course, many examples at the LyricalDissonance page exist to subvert this phenomenon, and instrumentals avert this rule altogether. See the sister sliding scale, SlidingScale/MohsScaleOfLyricalHardness, for details.

# Music/AnalCunt is here, along with the harder side of grindcore especially the subgenres of pornogrind, noisegrind and goregrind. The most extreme DeathMetal (examples from the brutal death metal and slam death metal subgenres usually end up here) and BlackMetal [[note]]See Teitanblood's, Music/DeathspellOmega's and Music/AnaalNathrakh's examples at this level[[/note]] also lies here. The very heaviest mathcore (technical [[note]] e.g. Ion Dissonance, Music/TheDillingerEscapePlan[[/note]], chaotic hardcore [[note]] e.g. Music/{{Converge}}, Death Dust Extractor[[/note]]) can also reach this level. Most recently, DoomMetal has also managed to climb to this level; in recent years this level has become the province of death/doom, funeral doom, and drone metal [[note]] See Music/SunnO's and Music/{{Khanate}}'s examples at this level.[[/note]], as well as the absolute filthiest of [[DoomMetal sludge]]. Noise Rock at this level is virtually indistinguishable from HarshNoise. Crossovers of HeavyMetal and electronic music rarely get up to this level, but this is home to power electronics and most hardcore techno (especially speedcore and industrial hardcore), and most of the hardest IDM/Braindance [[note]] See Music/{{Autechre}}'s, Music/VenetianSnares's and Music/{{Squarepusher}}'s examples at this level, you will see...[[/note]], drum and bass [[note]] Level 11 dnb will often have monster speed and may sound near-indistinguishable from industrial music to most people.[[/note]] and dubstep [[note]] Level 11 dubstep will have a very harsh drop, heavily distorted bass and hardly any room for breathing.[[/note]] can be found here too. Songs at this level often invoke auditory SensoryAbuse in [[HellIsThatNoise all]] [[BrownNote its]] [[ScareChord forms]], and can quickly become annoying to many listeners. [[HarshVocals Growling]] or [[ScreamsLikeALittleGirl screaming]] will always sound [[TheUnintelligible unintelligible]] and almost inhuman, and often pitch-shifting or other computer-aided effects are used to drive the vocal range beyond what could normally be sustained during singing [[note]] (astoundingly though, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ObHhRnvCqk not always]]).[[/note]]. Cleans are virtually absent, but if cleans are present, they'll usually be a haunting OneWomanWail, [[OminousLatinChanting ominous chanting]] or [[{{Sampling}} sampled audio]]. Drums are so fast that it sounds like a ''solid wall of black noise'', or are so slow that a snare hits at the first second and the next beat ''never comes.'' Guitars and bass are heavier than a black hole, the heaviest known object in reality, and will (almost) surely sound like a chainsaw. Any and all electronic instrumentation will sound like a mess of chattering noise and beeping sounds. Production plays a ''very important'' role at this level: it may be [[ThreeChordsAndTheTruth extremely raw and low-fi]], or [[LoudnessWar highly polished but intentionally brickwalled to deafening levels]]. In other words, the music in this level is [[WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}} blacker than the blackest black times infinity.]] Significant elements of this class are experimental in nature, although [[StealthParody stealth parodists]] commonly make their way up here as well.

* MohsRockMetal/Levels1To3

* MohsRockMetal/Levels4And5

# Difficult to tell if it's rock or metal. This is pretty much as far as you can get on just an acoustic guitar or any non-electric instrument. This is also about as hard as you can get while remaining in pop territory, and about as light as you can get while being undeniably metal. HardRock bands that hit this level didn't really start regularly appearing till the mid to late seventies, most of the hard rock at this level will often be mis-classified HairMetal and classic {{grunge}} can often be found here. ProgressiveMetal and most AlternativeMetal starts showing up here. Many of the proto-metal genre can be found here. The lighter end of {{Industrial}} music shows up here. This is the last level where you can find film score that does not have a metal or electronic infusion. This is also the level where ClassicalMusic transitions into neoclassical and SymphonicMetal [[note]] See Music/{{Nightwish|Band}} and Music/WithinTemptation's examples at this level[[/note]]. This is usually the highest level you'll find pure PopPunk, past this point it's usually infused with either metal or hardcore. It's also generally the final level where regular AlternativeRock appears. On average, this is where the softer side of AvantGardeMetal and other experimental or "weird" (such as psychedelic trance) genres can be found. It is also where most Melodic Hardcore is found
# Heavier TraditionalHeavyMetal and most PowerMetal and SpeedMetal. This is also (mostly) the point where Punk transitions into HardcorePunk. The music is pretty fast and noisy at this point. The lyrics start to become darker, though clean and melodic (often classically trained for Power Metal) singing is still standard, usually saving harsh vocals for occasionally [[SopranoAndGravel emphasizing the contrast between styles]]. The heavier sides of Glam and post-grunge can be found here, as well as much NuMetal. Viking and FolkMetal start showing up around here. The lightest GrooveMetal can be found here, usually with a lot of HardRock influence. AlternativeMetal with more emphasis on the 'metal' part starts showing up here as well as most ProgressiveMetal. Most metal/electronic crossovers either begin here (metallic dubstep and DrumAndBass) or end here (hard trance, tech trance, {{Speedy Techno Remix}}es, and {{Eurobeat}}). Metalcore will only occasionally be found here, but when it is, it usually lacks harsh vocals, save for a token scream or two (think, most of Music/AllThatRemains recent songs, or most old Avenged Sevenfold) or the occasional {{yarling}}. This is the absolute lowest that any metal could be called "Extreme Metal", and it's usually borderline at that.

# Difficult to tell if it's rock or metal. This is pretty much as far as you can get on just an acoustic guitar or any non-electric instrument. This is also about as hard as you can get while remaining in pop territory, and about as light as you can get while being undeniably metal. HardRock bands that hit this level didn't really start regularly appearing till the mid to late seventies, most of the hard rock at this level will often be mis-classified HairMetal and classic {{grunge}} can often be found here. ProgressiveMetal and most AlternativeMetal starts showing up here. The lighter end of {{Industrial}} music shows up here. This is the last level where you can find film score that does not have a metal or electronic infusion. This is also the level where ClassicalMusic transitions into neoclassical and SymphonicMetal [[note]] See Music/{{Nightwish|Band}} and Music/WithinTemptation's examples at this level[[/note]]. This is usually the highest level you'll find pure PopPunk, past this point it's usually infused with either metal or hardcore. It's also generally the final level where regular AlternativeRock appears. On average, this is where the softer side of AvantGardeMetal and other experimental or "weird" (such as psychedelic trance) genres can be found. It is also where most Melodic Hardcore is found

# Heavier TraditionalHeavyMetal and most PowerMetal and SpeedMetal. This is also (mostly) the point where Punk transitions into HardcorePunk. The music is pretty fast and noisy at this point. The lyrics start to become darker, though clean and melodic (often classically trained for Power Metal) singing is still standard, usually saving harsh vocals for occasionally [[SopranoAndGravel emphasizing the contrast between styles]]. The heavier sides of Glam and post-grunge can be found here, as well as much NuMetal. Viking and FolkMetal start showing up around here. The lightest GrooveMetal can be found here, usually with a lot of HardRock influence. AlternativeMetal with more emphasis on the 'metal' part starts showing up here as well as most ProgressiveMetal. Most metal/electronic crossovers either begin here (metallic dubstep and DrumAndBass) or end here (hard trance, tech trance, {{Speedy Techno Remix}}es, and {{Eurobeat}}). Metalcore will only occasionally be found here, but when it is, it usually lacks harsh vocals, save for a token scream or two (think, most of Music/AllThatRemains recent songs, or most old Avenged Sevenfold) or the occasional {{yarling}}. This is the absolute lowest that any metal could be called "Extreme Metal", and its usually borderline at that.

# Lighter DeathMetal (especially MelodicDeathMetal) or harder ThrashMetal. Most experimental metal groups creep up to this level as well. You'll also find a lot of the less abrasive 'true' BlackMetal here, as well as many first-wave black metal bands. To the uninitiated, songs at this level and beyond could be NightmareFuel in musical form. Here is about where you start to get singers [[HarshVocals growling]] or [[MetalScream screaming]] for most of the song; this is also probably the highest level that can be attained with clean singing as the main vocal style. Lyrics may be very violent or just generally extremely dark. This is the last zone where you are likely to find hardcore punk that doesn't have a substantial metal or noise infusion. {{Metalcore}} continues to be found here, as well as the lighter end of {{deathcore}}. This is also pure HardcorePunk[='=]s absolute peak of hardness in the scale. The absolute lightest {{Grindcore}} starts here. [[note]] See examples from Music/NapalmDeath and Nasum.[[/note]] Most viking/folk metal that has a significant infusion of BlackMetal or DeathMetal falls here. A lot of the heavier side of GrooveMetal is found here, and this is the absolute dropping off point of a very select few {{Grunge}} bands. ProgressiveMetal at this level often incorporates extreme metal elements. PowerMetal can be found here, but it almost always involves crossover with other genres at this point (see Music/ScarSymmetry and Music/ChildrenOfBodom for examples). This was the home level of the three big melodeath bands (Music/InFlames, Music/AtTheGates and Music/DarkTranquillity) before they changed styles, as well as Music/AmonAmarth and later Music/FleshgodApocalypse. Similarly, of the big four of thrash, this was Music/{{Slayer}}'s playing field most of the time [[note]] Although at their time they would've been the prime level 10/11 example.[[/note]]. In regards to Industrial, however, this is the home level for some {{EBM}}/Electronic Body Music [[note]] See Combichrist and Auto Aggression's examples at this level.[[/note]]. Here, {{dubstep}} becomes metalstep. Synthwave is pretty much synth-metal at this level.

# Most ThrashMetal, and heavier forms of PowerMetal along with some classic metal. HairMetal tends to creep into this level as well (think of early Music/XJapan or Music/{{Loudness}}). Lyrics are usually very dark at this point. Vocal style is usually a snarl (most thrash metal uses this singing type), but clean singing is also common. Occasionally [[HarshVocals growls]] and [[MetalScream screams]] will be employed. Most hardcore punk is here, as well as the lighter end of {{metalcore}} and crossover thrash (fusion of thrash metal and hardcore punk). Whether purists want to hear it or not, the lighter and more atmospheric side of BlackMetal also starts here as does very light MelodicDeathMetal. Grunge and post-grunge occasionally creep into this level as well. You'll also find yet more viking/folk metal populating this region. Most GrooveMetal is here. In general, this is also pretty much as hard as you can get with significant radio or MTV play (specialist metal shows and stations notwithstanding) or if you want your song featured in VideoGame/GuitarHero or VideoGame/RockBand (Music/{{Slayer}} and Music/ChildrenOfBodom seem to be curiously immune to this however). AlternativeMetal or NuMetal at this level usually has a lot of influence from more aggressive metal genres. The heavier sides of ProgressiveMetal can be found here. Of the Big 4 of Thrash, Music/{{Metallica}}, Music/{{Megadeth}} and Music/{{Anthrax}}, were often found here, at least when they were still unambiguously thrash. This is also the point where pure {{Industrial}} and IndustrialMetal begin to sound almost indistinguishable from one another. SludgeMetal tends to start here, {{Grunge}} rarely hits this level, but it's not necessarily uncommon. This is the last level of UsefulNotes/{{Synthwave}} without any metal influences. HairMetal at this point is heavily ThrashMetal-influenced, while J-Pop at this level becomes kawaii metal.

# This is most DeathMetal and BlackMetal[='=]s home level. Lyrics start to get positively disturbing and/or {{gorn}}y and the singer will almost always be growling or screaming, though clean vocals can be used for [[SopranoAndGravel contrast]] or [[OneWomanWail for]] [[OminousLatinChanting sound]] [[CreepyChildrenSinging effects]]. The hardest variants of ThrashMetal, [[note]] especially German thrash metal.[[/note]] MelodicDeathMetal, [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Septicflesh}} and Music/TheBlackDahliaMurder at this level.[[/note]] and viking/folk metal can hit this point, but that is quite uncommon. At this point hardcore bands become indistinguishable from metal to anyone who's not a loyal fan of both genres, since hardcore at this level is blatantly influenced by metal. Likewise, Thrash Metal on this level can sound pretty close to Death Metal to the uninitiated. AvantGardeMetal can be found here, but it involves crossover with Extreme Metal genres at this point (see Music/{{Gorguts}}, Music/DeathspellOmega and [[Music/JohnZorn Naked City]] for examples) At this point HardcorePunk becomes {{grindcore}} or powerviolence, and while it is possible for a {{metalcore}} band to get this high, it's very rare, although most {{Deathcore}} comfortably sits here. GrooveMetal at this level usually has a lot of DeathMetal influence. [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Chimaira}}, Music/FearFactory, [=DevilDriver=], Music/{{Gojira|Band}}, Music/{{Meshuggah}}, Music/{{Pantera}} and Music/{{Slipknot}} at this level.[[/note]] {{Dubstep}} with a significant metal infusion ("metalstep"/"brostep") can also be found here. [[note]] Music/{{Skrillex}}'s harshest output resides at this level.[[/note]] AlternativeMetal and NuMetal bands that manage to creep up here always have considerable influences from more extreme subgenres. [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Glassjaw}}, Music/{{Deftones}}, Music/{{Slipknot}}, Music/DirEnGrey, Music/MaximumTheHormone and Music/{{Nothingface}} at this level [[/note]] This is also where you start to see Funeral Doom, Drone Doom, and Death/Doom.

* MohsRockMetal/Levels8And9

# Most ThrashMetal, and heavier forms of PowerMetal along with some classic metal. HairMetal tends to creep into this level as well (think of early Music/XJapan or Music/{{Loudness}}). Lyrics are usually very dark at this point. Vocal style is usually a snarl (most thrash metal uses this singing type), but clean singing is also common. Occasionally [[HarshVocals growls]] and [[MetalScream screams]] will be employed. Most hardcore punk is here, as well as the lighter end of {{metalcore}} and crossover thrash (fusion of thrash metal and hardcore punk). Whether purists want to hear it or not, the lighter and more atmospheric side of BlackMetal also starts here as does very light MelodicDeathMetal. Grunge and post-grunge occasionally creep into this level as well. You'll also find yet more viking/folk metal populating this region. Most GrooveMetal is here. In general, this is also pretty much as hard as you can get with significant radio or MTV play (specialist metal shows and stations notwithstanding) or if you want your song featured in VideoGame/GuitarHero or VideoGame/RockBand (Music/{{Slayer}} and Music/ChildrenOfBodom seem to be curiously immune to this however). AlternativeMetal or NuMetal at this level usually has a lot of influence from more aggressive metal genres. The heavier sides of ProgressiveMetal can be found here. Of the Big 4 of Thrash, Music/{{Metallica}}, Music/{{Megadeth}} and Music/{{Anthrax}}, were often found here, at least when they were still unambiguously thrash. This is also the point where pure {{Industrial}} and IndustrialMetal begin to sound almost indistinguishable from one another. SludgeMetal tends to start here, {{Grunge}} rarely hits this level, but it's not necessarily uncommon. This is the last level of {{Synthwave}} without any metal influences. HairMetal at this point is heavily ThrashMetal-influenced, while J-Pop at this level becomes kawaii metal.

* Relatedly, the use of specific scales, chords or musical intervals also plays a role. Chromatic chord relationships sound harder and darker. Generally, a song in minor key will be harder than a song in major key. The use of specific intervals, such as the tritone (Sometimes called "diabolus in musica", the devil in music), may also make a song harder.

# Music/AnalCunt is here, along with the harder side of grindcore especially the subgenres of pornogrind, noisegrind and goregrind. The most extreme DeathMetal (examples from the brutal death metal and slam death metal subgenres usually end up here) and BlackMetal [[note]]See Teitanblood's, Music/DeathspellOmega's and Music/AnaalNathrakh's examples at this level[[/note]] also lies here. The very heaviest mathcore (technical [[note]] e.g. Ion Dissonance, Music/TheDillingerEscapePlan[[/note]], chaotic hardcore [[note]] e.g. Music/{{Converge}}, Death Dust Extractor[[/note]]) can also reach this level. Most recently, DoomMetal has also managed to climb to this level; in recent years this level has become the province of death/doom, funeral doom, and drone metal [[note]] See Music/SunnO's and Music/{{Khanate}}'s examples at this level.[[/note]], as well as the absolute filthiest of [[DoomMetal sludge]]. Noise Rock at this level is virtually indistinguishable from HarshNoise. Crossovers of HeavyMetal and electronic music rarely get up to this level, but this is home to power electronics and most hardcore techno (especially speedcore and industrial hardcore), and most of the hardest IDM/Braindance [[note]] See Music/{{Autechre}}'s, Music/VenetianSnares's and Music/{{Squarepusher}}'s examples at this level, you will see...[[/note]], drum and bass [[note]] Level 11 dnb will often have monster speed and may sound near-indistinguishable from industrial music to most people.[[/note]] and dubstep [[note]] Level 11 dubstep will have a very harsh drop, heavily distorted bass and hardly any room for breathing.[[/note]] can be found here too. Songs at this level often invoke auditory SensoryAbuse in [[HellIsThatNoise all]] [[BrownNote its]] [[ScareChord forms]], and can quickly become annoying to many listeners. [[HarshVocals Growling]] or [[ScreamsLikeALittleGirl screaming]] will always sound [[TheUnintelligible unintelligible]] and almost inhuman, and often pitch-shifting or other computer-aided effects are used to drive the vocal range beyond what could normally be sustained during singing [[note]] (astoundingly though, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ObHhRnvCqk not always]]).[[/note]]. Cleans are virtually absent, but if cleans are present, they'll usually be a haunting OneWomanWail, [[OminousLatinChanting ominous chanting]] or [[{{Sampling}} sampled audio]]. Drums are so fast that it sounds like a ''solid wall of black noise'', or are so slow that a snare hits at the first second and the next beat ''never comes.'' Guitars and bass are heavier than a black hole, the heaviest known object in reality, and will (almost) surely sound like a chainsaw. Any and all electronic instrumentation will sound like a mess of chattering noise and beeping sounds. Production plays a ''very important'' role at this level: it may be [[ThreeChordsAndTheTruth extremely raw and low-fi]], or [[LoudnessWar highly polished but intentionally brickwalled to deafening levels]]. In other words, the music in this level is [[WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}} blacker than the blackest black times infinity.]] Significant elements of this class are [[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible experimental]] in nature, although [[StealthParody stealth parodists]] commonly make their way up here as well.

# This is most DeathMetal and BlackMetal[='=]s home level. Lyrics start to get positively disturbing and/or {{gorn}}y and the singer will almost always be growling or screaming, though clean vocals can be used for [[SopranoAndGravel contrast]] or [[OneWomanWail for]] [[OminousLatinChanting sound]] [[CreepyChildrenSinging effects]]. The hardest variants of ThrashMetal, [[note]] especially German thrash metal.[[/note]] MelodicDeathMetal, [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Septicflesh}} and Music/TheBlackDahliaMurder at this level.[[/note]] and viking/folk metal can hit this point, but that is quite uncommon. At this point hardcore bands become indistinguishable from metal to anyone who's not a loyal fan of both genres, since hardcore at this level is blatantly influenced by metal. Likewise, Thrash Metal on this level can sound pretty close to Death Metal to the uninitiated. AvantGardeMetal can be found here, but it involves crossover with Extreme Metal genres at this point (see Music/{{Gorguts}}, Music/DeathspellOmega and [[Music/JohnZorn Naked City]] for examples) At this point HardcorePunk becomes {{grindcore}} or powerviolence, and while it is possible for a {{metalcore}} band to get this high, it's very rare, although most {{Deathcore}} comfortably sits here. GrooveMetal at this level usually has a lot of DeathMetal influence. [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Chimaira}}, Music/FearFactory, [=DevilDriver=], Music/{{Gojira}}, Music/{{Meshuggah}}, Music/{{Pantera}} and Music/{{Slipknot}} at this level.[[/note]] {{Dubstep}} with a significant metal infusion ("metalstep"/"brostep") can also be found here. [[note]] Music/{{Skrillex}}'s harshest output resides at this level.[[/note]] AlternativeMetal and NuMetal bands that manage to creep up here always have considerable influences from more extreme subgenres. [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Glassjaw}}, Music/{{Deftones}}, Music/{{Slipknot}}, Music/DirEnGrey, Music/MaximumTheHormone and Music/{{Nothingface}} at this level [[/note]] This is also where you start to see Funeral Doom, Drone Doom, and Death/Doom.

# This is most DeathMetal and BlackMetal[='=]s home level. Lyrics start to get positively disturbing and/or {{gorn}}y and the singer will almost always be growling or screaming, though clean vocals can be used for [[SopranoAndGravel contrast]] or [[OneWomanWail for]] [[OminousLatinChanting sound]] [[CreepyChildrenSinging effects]]. The hardest variants of ThrashMetal, [[note]] especially German thrash metal.[[/note]] MelodicDeathMetal, [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Septicflesh}} and Music/TheBlackDahliaMurder at this level.[[/note]] and viking/folk metal can hit this point, but that is quite uncommon. At this point hardcore bands become indistinguishable from metal to anyone who's not a loyal fan of both genres, since hardcore at this level is blatantly influenced by metal. Likewise, Thrash Metal on this level can sound pretty close to Death Metal to the uninitiated. AvantGardeMetal can be found here, but it involves crossover with Extreme Metal genres at this point (see Music/{{Gorguts}}, Music/DeathspellOmega and [[Music/JohnZorn Naked City]] for examples) At this point HardcorePunk becomes {{grindcore}} or powerviolence, and while it is possible for a {{metalcore}} band to get this high, it's very rare, although most {{Deathcore}} comfortably sits here. GrooveMetal at this level usually has a lot of DeathMetal influence. [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Chimaira}}, Music/FearFactory, [=DevilDriver=], Music/{{Gojira}}, Music/{{Meshuggah}}, Music/{{Pantera}} and Music/{{Slipknot}} at this level.[[/note]] {{Dubstep}} with a significant metal infusion ("metalstep"/"brostep") can also be found here. [[note]] Most of Music/{{Skrillex}}'s harsher output resides at this level.[[/note]] AlternativeMetal and NuMetal bands that manage to creep up here always have considerable influences from more extreme subgenres. [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Glassjaw}}, Music/{{Deftones}}, Music/{{Slipknot}}, Music/DirEnGrey, Music/MaximumTheHormone and Music/{{Nothingface}} at this level [[/note]] This is also where you start to see Funeral Doom, Drone Doom, and Death/Doom.

# SoftRock and most pop. A lot of early rock can be found here. This is also the level where guitar distortion starts to become common. The lighter end of ClassicalMusic can also be found here. Pop ballads begin at this level. PostPunk starts appearing here. The softest AlternativeRock is found here. At this point the instrumentation of Pop music is very soft and consist of bass sounds and a softer beats without dense layers of sounds.

# Hard rock that is definitely still rock. This level was first pioneered by instrumental SurfRock, but it wasn't until PsychedelicRock (primarily The Music/JimiHendrix Experience and Music/TheWho) that it was widely explored. The love songs start thinning out here, but lyrics at this stage can be about just about anything. This is also where mid-range post-grunge and the very heaviest dance-punk (e.g. Death from Above 1979, Music/ElectricSix and Music/DoesItOffendYouYeah) can generally be found. This is the last level where you can find classical music that does not have electronic or modernist elements. Baroque pop at this level often incorporates elements from harsher music genres. Discounting ballads, HairMetal starts here [[note]]of course, the hair metal at this level usually has more in common with Hard Rock than metal [[/note]], think Music/DangerDanger or Saraya. This is mostly as high as PostPunk gets. NoiseRock begins here. With a few exceptions, this is usually the higher end of mainstream CountryMusic as well. PostHardcore and Melodic Hardcore start here. With few exceptions, (such as the aformentioned Hair Metal ballads) this is the absolute lowest level where anything can qualify as metal (TraditionalHeavyMetal songs are occasionally found here).

# Hard rock that is definitely still rock. This level was first pioneered by instrumental SurfRock, but it wasn't until PsychedelicRock (primarily The Music/JimiHendrix Experience and Music/TheWho) that it was widely explored. The love songs start thinning out here, but lyrics at this stage can be about just about anything. This is also where mid-range post-grunge and the very heaviest dance-punk (e.g. Death from Above 1979, Music/ElectricSix and Music/DoesItOffendYouYeah) can generally be found. This is the last level where you can find classical music that does not have electronic or modernist elements. Baroque pop at this level often incorporates elements from harsher music genres. Discounting ballads, HairMetal starts here [[note]]of course, the hair metal at this level usually has more in common with Hard Rock than metal [[/note]], think Music/DangerDanger or Saraya. This is mostly as high as PostPunk gets. NoiseRock begins here. With a few exceptions, this is usually the higher end of mainstream CountryMusic as well. PostHardcore and Melodic Hardcore start here.

* The overall mood and atmosphere that songs provide to listeners plays a very important role in the measure of a song's hardness. Songs that are more upbeat and energetic tend to fall in the softer ranges of the scale, while darker and more subdued songs are harder. There are most definitely many exceptions all throughout the scale; thrash metal, power metal, electronic/rock crossovers and many varieties of modern {{metalcore}}, such as melodic metalcore and metallic hardcore, feature upbeat songs and vigorous muscianship but tend to fall towards the harder end of the scale. Similarly, some theme music from MagicalGirl series creep up to the higher reaches of the scale due to a combination of soaring instrument work and lively musicianship typical of most HeavyMetal songs [[note]] The Anime/PrettyCure franchise is most notable for this.[[/note]]. And even some extreme metal bands (especially those that fall under MelodicDeathMetal or GrooveMetal) play lively, energizing songs with tempos and melodies akin to pop rock or punk rock. Conversely, baroque pop and dark ambient are generally dark and unsettling too, with tempos akin to DoomMetal, heavy orchestration and the occasional OminousLatinChanting but fall towards the lower end of the scale. The existence of genres where MoodWhiplash is a defining feature (such as classical and progressive metal) makes this measure of hardness a little less definite; in such cases hardness can be measured by other factors.

* More fuzzy, growling guitar distortion (aka "overdrive") is the easiest measure of this. This is also the defining factor that separates metal from rock and rock from other genres: guitars in metal sound metallic due to the high amount of distortion, while guitar riffs in rock usually have a warm, bluesy quality as opposed to the "happy" pop sound. It's a bit difficult to classify those rare offshoots from rock that don't use guitars. Meanwhile, bands who play other aggressive non-metal styles that may incorporate screaming like screamo, post-hardcore, hardcore punk, or noise rock use loud guitars, but don't tend to have the signature "metallic" riff style of playing and/or tuning that defines metal, which is the reason why metal is almost always considered separate from other forms of rock. Instruments other than guitars can have distortion, such as electric bass (when overdriven), Hammond organ, drum machines and synths. Pianos and bowed strings can at times match the timbre of distorted guitars if played aggressively, but they don't necessarily lend themselves to sounding hard.

# This is most DeathMetal and BlackMetal[='=]s home level. Lyrics start to get positively disturbing and/or {{gorn}}y and the singer will almost always be growling or screaming, though clean vocals can be used for [[SopranoAndGravel contrast]] or [[OneWomanWail for]] [[OminousLatinChanting sound]] [[CreepyChildrenSinging effects]]. The hardest variants of ThrashMetal, [[note]] especially German thrash metal.[[/note]] MelodicDeathMetal, [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Septicflesh}} and Music/TheBlackDahliaMurder at this level.[[/note]] and viking/folk metal can hit this point, but that is quite uncommon. At this point hardcore bands become indistinguishable from metal to anyone who's not a loyal fan of both genres, since hardcore at this level is blatantly influenced by metal. Likewise, Thrash Metal on this level can sound pretty close to Death Metal to the uninitiated. AvantGardeMetal can be found here, but it involves crossover with Extreme Metal genres at this point (see Music/{{Gorguts}} , Music/DeathspellOmega and [[Music/JohnZorn Naked City]] for examples) At this point HardcorePunk becomes {{grindcore}} or powerviolence, and while it is possible for a {{metalcore}} band to get this high, it's very rare, although most {{Deathcore}} comfortably sits here. GrooveMetal at this level usually has a lot of DeathMetal influence. [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Chimaira}}, Music/FearFactory, [=DevilDriver=], Music/{{Gojira}}, Music/{{Meshuggah}}, Music/{{Pantera}} and Music/{{Slipknot}} at this level.[[/note]] {{Dubstep}} with a significant metal infusion ("metalstep"/"brostep") can also be found here. [[note]] Most of Music/{{Skrillex}}'s harsher output resides at this level.[[/note]] AlternativeMetal and NuMetal bands that manage to creep up here always have considerable influences from more extreme subgenres. [[note]] See the examples from Music/{{Glassjaw}}, Music/{{Deftones}}, Music/{{Slipknot}}, Music/DirEnGrey, Music/MaximumTheHormone and Music/{{Nothingface}} at this level [[/note]] This is also where you start to see Funeral Doom, Drone Doom, and Death/Doom.