D-beat
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| D-beat | |
| Stylistic origins | |
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| Cultural origins | |
| Typical instruments | |
| Mainstream popularity | Underground |
D-beat is a style of hardcore punk that has existed since the early 1980s, pioneered by Discharge, for whom the genre is named. D-beat is essentially an amalgamation of the values of anarcho-punk with the musical conventions of street punk and heavy metal, and is characterized by a distinctive drum beat. The term refers to the drum beat for which the genre is known. The lyrical content of D-beat is also unique, tending towards shouted slogans (prototypically, "Free Speech for the Dumb"). It is distinct from its anarcho-punk predecessors by its minimal lyrical content and greater proximity to heavy metal. It is closely associated with, though distinguishable from, crust punk.
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[edit] The 'D-Beat' in musical notation
D-beat is a drum beat; specifically, a fast rock beat unique to hardcore punk, especially in its UK and European variants, that inspired metal bands such as Hellhammer, Celtic Frost and Venom. Its name is derived from the British hardcore band Discharge, as they relied so heavily on this specific beat for the first few years of their career. Discharge's first-known use of this style appeared on their 1980 debut single, Realities Of War. The D-beat actually predates this; one earlier example can be heard in the song "You Tear Me Up" from the Buzzcocks' 1978 debut album Another Music in a Different Kitchen and in the song "Helpless" from Diamond Head on their 1980 debut album Lightning to the Nations.
All over the world, D-beat has gained a cult following which has developed most heavily in Scandinavia, Japan, and Brazil. It is a contemporary term most common outside North America. D-beat bands almost exclusively have anti-war, anarchist messages and closely follow the bleak nuclear-war imagery of 1980s crust punk bands, often to the point that you can tell a D-beat record by its imitation of Discharge album covers.
Three conflicting versions of D-Beat drum tabs have been presented:
First alternative of a D-Beat drum tab (listen to sample):
H:|x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-:|| S:|--o---o---o---o-:|| K:|o---oo--o---oo--:|| 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & S=snare K=kick H=hihat
Second alternative of a D-Beat drum tab (listen to sample):
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H:|x-x-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 H=hihat
Third alternative of a D-Beat drum tab (like early Anti-Cimex, Discharge, etc):
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
[edit] Scandinavian D-beat
Early Scandinavian D-beat bands, such as Anti Cimex, are associated with very noisy and distorted guitar and have a very maxed out sound. This wave of D-beat hardcore punk emerged in the early 1980s, particularly in 1983 with the release of Anti Cimex's 2nd 7", the genre-defining "Raped Ass" EP, notable for its raw recording and prominent Discharge influence. Even some of the more distinctly fast-sounding Swedish bands, such as Mob 47, essentially employ a very fast D-beat.
Scandinavian bands, including Totalitär, Skitsystem, Wolfbrigade, and Disfear, remain some of the most well-known D-beat bands, although their more modern sound has cleaved closely to developments in crust punk and extreme metal.
[edit] Japanese D-beat
Wherever they fit into the wide range of Discharge influenced punk, Japanese D-beat bands are usually notable for either faithful emulation of the European Discharge-influenced punk aesthetic (something at which bands like Disclose excel), or for their technically advanced playing, employing a D-beat in the context of a more transcendent and original whole. Bands such as Bastard and Deathside are notable for their strong sense of melody and their subtly metallic playing, though not true D-beat bands. Some speculate that the term "D-beat" originates in Japan.
[edit] USA D-beat
Negative Approach was largely responsible for introducing Discharge's influence to American hardcore. However, the earliest documented pure USA D-beat bands were from California: Diatribe, from San Diego, and Against, from Los Angeles. Firmly entrenched in the US hardcore scene, Diatribe formed in 1984 and recorded the "Aftermath" EP in January 1985. The EP was characterized by a raw early-Discharge musical style with lyrics focusing on the horrors of nuclear holocaust and war. Bands such as Crucifix (San Francisco) and Final Conflict (Long Beach) were also heavily influenced by Discharge.
[edit] Resurgence of interest
While 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 in the new millennium. Many of these groups also take inspiration from crust punk; groups from around the world such as Wolfbrigade and Tragedy are largely responsible for the movement towards the fusing of the driving Discharge sound with dark, melodic elements reminiscent of Amebix. Other bands such as Portland's Warcry or Canada's Decontrol exemplify a kind of punk nostalgia, playing pure D-beat hardcore and proudly wearing their influences on their sleeves.
[edit] Effects on the Mainstream
Discharge and other d-beat groups influenced the thrash metal bands of the mid-'80s (particularly Metallica, Anthrax, and especially Sepultura). However, their influence on the genre was not as pervasive as the American hardcore punk bands that existed at the same time. The popular street punk band Rancid also borrowed from D-beat, particularly on their fifth album, released in 2000 at the height of the d-beat revival.
[edit] Examples of D-beat bands
[edit] See also
[edit] Bibliography
Glasper, Ian (2004). Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980-1984. Cherry Red Books.
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