Page "Led Zeppelin" Paragraph 58

According to Robert Walser, " Led Zeppelin's sound was marked by speed and power, unusual rhythmic patterns, contrasting terraced dynamics, singer Robert Plant's wailing vocals, and guitarist Jimmy Page's heavily distorted crunch ".

These elements mean that they are often cited as one of the progenitors of hard rock and heavy metal and they have been described as the " definitive heavy metal band ", although they have often eschewed the label.

Part of this reputation depends on the bands use of distorted guitar riffs on songs like " Whole Lotta Love " and " The Wanton Song ".

Often riffs were not doubled by guitar, bass and drums exactly, but instead there were melodic or rhythmic variations ; as in " Black Dog ", where three different time signatures are used.

Page's guitar playing incorporated elements of the blues scale with those of eastern music.

Plant's use of high-pitched shrieks has been compared to Janis Joplin's vocal technique.

Bonham's drumming was noted for its power, his rapid rolls and his fast beats on a single bass drum.

Jones ' basslines have been described as melodic and his keyboard playing added a classical touch to the band's sound.