How to Write Metalcore Riffs
Metalcore is a genre that thrives on tight, aggressive riffs, brutal breakdowns, and melodic leads that blend the power of metal with the energy of hardcore punk. Whether you're a guitarist just getting into the style or a seasoned player looking to refine your craft, learning to write effective metalcore riffs is crucial for capturing that modern, high-energy sound.
This guide will break down the essential techniques, theory, and songwriting approaches to help you craft killer metalcore riffs that hit hard. Let’s dive in.
1. Understanding the Metalcore Sound
Before you start writing riffs, it’s important to understand what makes a metalcore riff work. Metalcore is a genre that fuses the heaviness of metal with the aggression and groove of hardcore punk. The riffs in metalcore often follow these key characteristics:
Heavy and Rhythmic Chugging – Using palm-muted low notes, often in sync with the kick drum, to create an aggressive, percussive feel.
Melodic Hooks and Leads – Many metalcore songs feature high-energy, melodic guitar lines over heavy rhythm sections.
Syncopation & Groove – Unlike some metal genres that focus on speed, metalcore often uses off-beat rhythms and syncopation to keep the energy dynamic.
Drop Tunings for Extra Heaviness – Most metalcore riffs use drop tunings (Drop D, Drop C, Drop B, or even Drop A) to allow for powerful one-finger power chords and easier chugging patterns.
Breakdowns and Dynamic Contrast – Metalcore thrives on build-ups and releases, often incorporating breakdowns that bring maximum impact.
While some metalcore bands lean toward melodic and technical playing, others prioritize raw aggression and heaviness. Understanding where you want your riffs to land on this spectrum will help guide your songwriting choices.
2. Essential Techniques for Metalcore Riffs
To write killer metalcore riffs, you need to master key guitar techniques. These techniques form the backbone of the genre and help define the energy and attitude of a song.
A. Palm Muting (Chugging)
Palm muting (notated as "PM") is a foundational technique in metalcore rhythm playing.
To execute a palm mute, rest the edge of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge and strike the strings while keeping them partially muted.
This reduces sustain and adds percussive attack, making it perfect for heavy, rhythmic chugging patterns.
Most metalcore chugging is played in sync with the drums, reinforcing the groove of the kick and snare.
Palm-muted riffs provide a tight, percussive attack, making them ideal for breakdowns and syncopated grooves. Bands like August Burns Red, Architects, and Parkway Drive are known for their rhythmic chugging that locks in tightly with drums.
B. Alternate Picking
Alternate picking helps maintain speed and consistency in fast metalcore riffs.
It involves a down-up picking motion, allowing for faster, more articulate playing compared to only using downstrokes.
Many melodic riffs and tremolo-picked leads in metalcore rely on clean, controlled alternate picking.
This style is often heard in bands like Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, and Shadows Fall.
By mastering alternate picking, you’ll be able to add speed and precision to your playing, ensuring that your riffs stay tight, even at higher tempos.
C. Dissonant Chords & Harmonized Leads
Many metalcore riffs include dissonant intervals (tritones, minor 2nds) to create tension and add a darker, more aggressive edge.
Harmonized guitar lines are another key feature, often played in thirds or fifths to create epic, melodic hooks over rhythm parts.
Bands like As I Lay Dying and Bullet for My Valentine frequently use harmonized dual-guitar sections to add an anthemic quality to their riffs.
These elements help add depth and melodic contrast to your riffs, making them more engaging and memorable.
D. Utilizing Open-String Pedal Tones
Pedal tones involve repeating an open string (usually the lowest tuned string) while playing higher notes.
This technique adds movement while keeping the low-end punchy, making riffs feel fast, driving, and aggressive.
Used heavily by bands like Trivium and Unearth, this technique allows riffs to feel dynamic and energetic, even when they’re based around a single rhythmic idea.
3. Writing Your Own Metalcore Riffs
Now that you have the techniques down, let’s go through a step-by-step process to writing a metalcore riff from scratch.
Step 1: Choose a Key & Tuning
Most metalcore riffs use drop tunings for heaviness and ease of playing power chords.
Popular tunings include:
Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E) – Classic and versatile.
Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D) – Heavier, great for breakdowns.
Drop B (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#) – Ultra-heavy and modern sounding.
Your choice of tuning affects the overall weight and attack of your riffs.
Step 2: Start with a Chugging Rhythm
A great way to begin is by writing a rhythmic chug pattern that matches the drums.
Syncopation creates movement, and locking in with the kick drum makes it hit harder.
Start simple, then build complexity.
Step 3: Add Melodic or Dissonant Elements
Once you have a solid chug pattern, add higher notes for variation.
This creates contrast and melody, preventing the riff from sounding too repetitive.
Bands like Parkway Drive and Wage War often mix melodic layers with heavy chugs.
Step 4: Experiment with Groove and Syncopation
Groove is essential in metalcore—avoid making your riffs too robotic.
Try experimenting with syncopation by placing accents on off-beats.
Groove-focused playing is found in bands like Northlane and Polaris.
Step 5: Create Transitions into the Next Riff or Breakdown
The best metalcore riffs lead into another section smoothly.
Use descending runs, slides, or pick scrapes to build tension before a breakdown.
Strong transitions make the song flow more naturally.
4. Breakdown Writing: Making the Heavy Parts Hit Hard
No metalcore song is complete without a crushing breakdown. To write one effectively:
Slow the tempo to half-time—this gives the breakdown a heavy, dragging feel that hits hard. Use open-string chugs for maximum impact and let the drums dictate the groove. Sync the kicks with guitar chugs to make it feel even tighter. Introduce dissonant chords or slides to add aggression and unease. Use silence strategically—a short pause before the breakdown drops makes it even heavier.
Some of the best breakdowns hit even harder because of what comes before them. Use build-ups, high-register notes, or a melodic lead line before suddenly slamming into a low, chugging riff.
Bands like Architects ("Holy Hell" era), Bring Me the Horizon ("Count Your Blessings"), and Knocked Loose are masters of writing devastating breakdowns that feel dynamic and crushing.
5. Final Tips for Writing Better Metalcore Riffs
Even if you’ve mastered the core techniques, these extra tips will push your riff writing to the next level:
Use Dynamics – Metalcore thrives on contrast. If you’ve been writing nothing but chugs, try inserting a melodic lead or switching to ringing open chords to give the next heavy section even more impact.
Don't Overuse Chugging – Palm-muted riffs are the backbone of metalcore, but a song that’s nothing but open-note chugs will get stale fast. Incorporate syncopation, harmonics, and lead flourishes to keep your riffs interesting.
Play to the Drums – Your riffs will sound 10x tighter if they lock in rhythmically with the kick and snare. Try programming drum parts alongside your riff writing to ensure everything grooves naturally.
Experiment with Effects – A touch of reverb, delay, or stereo widening can transform a lead line into something huge and atmospheric. This is especially useful in choruses or ambient sections.
Use Unexpected Chord Voicings – Instead of just sticking to power chords, try adding dissonant intervals, open-string voicings, or octave chords to create tension and make your riffs stand out.
Steal and Transform – Listen to your favorite metalcore bands and analyze their riff structures, note choices, and rhythms. Take inspiration and twist the idea into something fresh to develop your own signature style.
Write With Purpose – Every riff should serve the song. Avoid writing something technical just for the sake of showing off—make sure each riff fits the overall vibe and contributes to the emotional intensity of the track.
Conclusion
Writing metalcore riffs is all about balancing heaviness, melody, and groove. By mastering chugging, alternate picking, pedal tones, and harmonized leads, you’ll be well on your way to writing killer riffs that stand out in a crowded genre.
The key to writing great metalcore riffs isn’t just technical skill—it’s about understanding song structure, rhythm, and how different sections fit together to create impact.
So grab your guitar, experiment with these techniques, and start writing some face-melting metalcore riffs today!
Would you like to see a follow-up guide on structuring full metalcore songs or advanced lead writing techniques? Let me know in the comments!
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