metal riffs
Crunchy guitar phrases
Metal riffs are the repeated guitar figures that form the backbone of heavy metal music—typically distorted, rhythmically aggressive, and built around power chords or palm-muted patterns.
A strong riff defines a song more than its melody or lyrics: That opening riff is instantly recognizable.
The term extends to any heavy, driving guitar passage in rock music.
- shredTorn fragment
- distortionTwisting from original state
- chuggingDrinking rapidly, continuously
- power chordsRoot-fifth guitar voicings
- headbangViolent rhythmic nodding
mosh pit · thrash · downtuned · palm mute · crunch · amp · fretboard · breakdown · groove · heavy · fuzz · wah · feedback · licks · solo · gallop · double bass · drop D
- Christian MetalDemon Hunter, Norma Jean, P.O.D., Flyleaf, Skillet
musical genre and style
metal riffseasy listening
Undemanding melodic audio
elevator music · smooth jazz · muzak · lullabies · bossa nova
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