Electronic rock

Electronic rock (also known as synth rock and electro rock) is a music genre that involves a combination of rock music and electronic music, featuring instruments typically found within both genres.

Subgenres and other terms#

The term “progressive rock” (or “prog rock”) was originally coined in the 1960s for music that would otherwise be described as “electronic rock,” Electronic rock is also associated with industrial rock, synth-pop, dance-punk, indietronica, and new wave,

Synth-punk#

Synth-punk (originally techno-punk or electropunk) is a style of electronic music that mixes the aggression of punk rock with the use of synthesizers. Originally pioneered by New York band Suicide, formed in 1970. Their sound over their five studio albums mixed punk rock with various electronic-based genres such as electronic rock, synth-pop, and disco. Other artists such as Californian band the Screamers were labeled “techno-punk” by the Los Angeles Times in 1978. Rather than the usual electric guitars, the band’s instrumentation included a heavily distorted Fender Rhodes electric piano and an ARP Odyssey synthesizer. The term synth-punk (or electropunk) was coined in 1999 by Damien Ramsey. In the early 1980s, synth-punk fused with various electronic genres to create electronic body music, which would influence a number of subsequent industrial dance, industrial rock and industrial metal acts. It also influenced the hardcore punk inspired digital hardcore, which combines hardcore punk with electronic music, noise and heavy metal. It typically features fast tempos and aggressive sound samples. dance punk,

Hyper-rock#

Hyper-rock is a fusion genre that fuses rock music and hyperpop. It is characterized by a guitar-centric foundation combined with processed vocals, glitchy textures, and experimental sound design, resulting in a sound that differs from folktronica, indietronica, or digital hardcore. The term hyper-rock was coined by Stereogum journalist James Rettig. He introduced the term in a “tongue-in-cheek parenthetical” while reviewing Feeble Little Horse’s album, Girl with Fish. Hyper-rock, as a distinct musical style, is considered to have emerged in the late 2010s and early 2020s, although its foundational elements and experimental precursors date back further. Early sonic experiments in the 2000s laid the groundwork for the genre. Known forerunners include Sweet Trip’s Velocity : Design : Comfort (2003) is considered a significant record for the genre, blending IDM, glitch, and shoegaze. Tracks such as “Fruitcake and Cookies” and “To All the Dancers of the World, a Round Form of Fantasy” illustrate the progression from fragmented electronic textures to euphoric, guitar-driven soundscapes, elements later associated with hyper-rock. Hyper-rock is primarily built around rock guitars, which may range from dense, reverb-soaked layers reminiscent of shoegaze to harsher, evolving riffs influenced by black metal. Vocals are often heavily processed, employing techniques such as pitch shifting and the use of Auto-Tune. The style also incorporates glitched-out production and electronic elements, including programmed drums, synth textures, and fragmented soundscapes. The genre reflects a fusion of influences from a wide array of musical styles. Shoegaze contributes atmospheric textures and layered guitar sounds, while hyperpop informs its high-energy, glitch-oriented approach and vocal processing. IDM, glitch, and digicore provide jittery electronic elements and fragmented sound design. Some artists integrate aspects of heavy metal, trance, EDM, vaporwave, and pop.

Synth-metal#

Synth-metal is the fusion of heavy metal and electronic music. It was pioneered in the 1980s with Iron Maiden’s album Somewhere in Time and Judas Priest’s album Turbo, both of which notably incorporate guitar synthesizers. They were both released in 1986. Besides synth-metal, electronicore, electrogrind, coldwave and dungeon synth, heavy metal is also sometimes mixed with other electronic genres and their subgenres, inspiring terms such as electronic metal, electronic dance metal, trance metal, techno metal, and cyber metal.