Key facts
- Stylistic origins
- Progressive rock indie rock post-hardcore minimal noise rock
- Cultural origins
- Late 1980s, United States and Japan
- Derivative forms
- Mathcore midwest emo post-rock
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
Show 1 more fact
- inception
- 1986-00-00
via Wikidata · CC0
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Article
Steve Albini was an influence in the math rock genre.
Math rock is a style of alternative and indie rock with roots in bands such as King Crimson, Yes, and Rush. It is characterized by complex, atypical rhythmic structures (including irregular stopping and starting), counterpoint, odd time signatures, and extended chords. Math rock has been classified as a derivative or subgenre of experimental rock, sharing its avant-garde ethos and emphasis on through-composed structure rather than traditional song forms. The genre has additionally been described as bearing similarities to post-rock, as the "opposite side of the same coin". Opting for a "rockier" approach to songwriting and timbres, the style is often performed by smaller ensembles which emphasize the role of the guitar.