Top 5 Metal Riffs (Patreon)

This week we’ll be embarking on an epic journey through a subject near and dear to axe grinders… GUITAR RIFFS muhahaha! I’ll walk you through my top 5 riffs of all time, rank The top riff lords and share 5 secrets on how to write your own monster riff!

⚡️RIFF #5: COWBOYS FROM HELL 

Coming in at the number five spot is Pantera’s, Cowboys From Hell. Dimebag Darrell’s masterful guitar work has inspired generations of g string fingerers since this 1990 release. The frequent use of the open low E string highlights Dime’s mastery of PEDAL TONE Technique. A pedal tone is a recurring pitch that provides tonal context for our ears. Study any popular song and you’ll notice that pedal tones are usually a key feature 

⚡️RIFF #4: BREAKING THE LAW

Judas Priest’s Breaking The Law secures my 4th place position. While Priest rages against the rules, the song itself adheres closely to the key of A minor. As the cut continues, we hear crushing power chords outlining Am-F and G chords.…the very essence of heavy metal thunder! 

⚡️RIFF #3: THE TROOPER 

Iron Maiden has sold 100 million albums over the last 40 plus years of their career. That’s why it’s no surprise The Trooper claims my number 3 spot. This track is a rite of passage for guitarists working on their galloping technique. As is customary for Maiden tracks, we’re in the key of E minor, with a powerful Em-C progression that starts a fire in our souls 

⚡️RIFF #2: IRON MAN

Black Sabbath was the first metal band according to most historians. Their 1970 sophomore effort contained the unforgettable cut Iron Man. When Ozzy Osborne elects to sing your riff, you know you’ve written something special! Try weaving a melodic line through your guitar riff to open a portal to hell and hit level 666!

⚡️RIFF #1: ENTER SANDMAN 

Metallica’s Enter Sandman is a flawless blueprint of metal composition. That’s why I’m putting this 1990 Black Album classic at number one. The brilliant dynamic evolution of this riff is almost like the development section of a symphony. Beginning with a sleepy blues arpeggio that gradually erupts into violent chaos. Gradually add instruments in your own songs to simulate this powerful effect 

🛑 YOUR TURN

Disagree with my list? Put your own top 5 metal riffs below! 

🔥Stay tuned for the final installment of Top 3 Exotic Scales coming this Friday! In this release I’ll be sharing the secrets of the far East with the magical notes of the Hirajoshi Scale