Top 10 Metal Bands with the Best Riffs

The Top Ten

  1. Pantera

    Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul.

    The band started out as a glam metal act in the 1980s with little success. After replacing their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, they signed a major record deal with... read more

    I actually think Mouth for War is their best riff. Annihilator, Pantera, Metallica, and Amon Amarth have the best riffs. Runners up: Mastodon, Primal Fear.

    Not my favorite band, but you've gotta admit Dime has the best riffs out there. Just listen to songs like I'm Broken and Walk.

  2. Metallica

    Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album... read more

  3. Black Sabbath

    Black Sabbath were a heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, singer John "Ozzy" Osbourne, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Their self-titled debut album received mixed reviews, but they quickly gained a strong following... read more

    Tony Iommi wrote the absolute best and most recognizable riffs of all time. No way Sabbath isn't #1.

    Notable riffs:

    Iron Man,

    Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,

    NIB,

    War Pigs,

    Supernaut,

    Heaven and Hell.

    We're talking about the king of the killer riff here... the hand of doom... the godfather of heavy metal himself... Mr. Anthony Frank Iommi!

  4. Iron Maiden

    Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Their most critically acclaimed period is widely considered to be from 1983 to 1989, during which they released landmark albums such as Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere... read more

    Too many amazing riffs to count. Roughly 65 really good riffs and 20 great riffs.

  5. Megadeth

    Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was dismissed from Metallica. They have released 16 studio albums to date and have undergone numerous lineup changes, with... read more

    More quality riffs than any other band by a long shot.

  6. Slayer

    Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. They rose to fame with their 1986 album Reign in Blood and are considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax.... read more

  7. Annihilator

    Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in 1984 by Jeff Waters and John Bates. Waters, the band's primary creative force and only constant member, has served as a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and producer over the years. The band gained recognition with its debut album, Alice... read more

    Their songs are riff fests, and they are #1 for me (alongside Pantera).

    Guitar work is their prime. The riffs are very fast, technical, yet melodic. Jeff Waters writes thrash riffs with lots of progressive elements, and I love this.

    Songs:

    Schizos (Are Never Alone), Phantasmagoria, The Trend, Alison Hell, Human Insecticide, 21, Imperiled Eyes, Sixes and Sevens, King of the Kill, Ultra-Motion.

  8. Mastodon

    Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band was formed in early 2000 by Troy Sanders on bass, Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher on guitars, and Brann Dailor on drums. Hinds left the group in March 2025, ending the lineup's 24-year run, and died in a motorcycle collision later... read more

    The entirety of The Wolf Is Loose contains some of the greatest riffs ever known to mankind!

  9. Dio

    Dio was an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 by vocalist Ronnie James Dio after he left Black Sabbath. The band was also co-founded by drummer Vinny Appice, who had played with Dio in Black Sabbath. Dio released several acclaimed albums, including Holy Diver and The Last in Line, and remained... read more

  10. Amon Amarth

    Amon Amarth is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Tumba, formed in 1992. The band's name is taken from the Sindarin name for Mount Doom in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology. Amon Amarth is known for its Viking-themed lyrics and has released several acclaimed albums, including Twilight of the... read more

    I listen to these guys mainly for their riffs.

    Songs:

    The Pursuit of Vikings,

    Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags,

    Guardians of Asgaard.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Diamond Head

    Diamond Head are an English heavy metal band formed in 1976 in Stourbridge, England. The band is recognized as one of the leading members of the new wave of British heavy metal. Their music was an important early influence on thrash metal bands, particularly Metallica and Megadeth.

  12. ?

    Accept

    Accept is a German heavy metal band from Solingen, originally assembled by vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, and bassist Peter Baltes. The band rose to prominence in the 1980s with albums such as Balls to the Wall and Metal Heart. Accept is considered one of the pioneers of the German... read more

    13. The Contenders

  13. Lamb of God

    Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the band originally featured Randy Blythe (vocals), Mark Morton (guitar), Willie Adler (guitar), John Campbell (bass), and Chris Adler (drums). Chris Adler departed the band in 2019 and was replaced by Art Cruz. The... read more

    No other band makes me headbang like LOG. Maybe Slipknot, but they are not as focused on riffs like LOG. Not to mention they have one of the best drummers, which increases the quality of the riffs since the guitarists must stand up to him.

    These guys should be way higher. Not comparing metal styles or riffing styles, but music as a whole. These guys craft riffs better than most bands' solos.

  14. Death

    Death was an American death metal band formed in 1983 by Chuck Schuldiner. The band is widely considered one of the most influential in heavy metal and a pioneer of the death metal genre. Their debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, is regarded as the first true death metal record. Death released seven studio... read more

  15. Opeth

    Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by David Isberg, who invited Mikael Åkerfeldt into the band as a bassist. Isberg ended up leaving the band, which led to Åkerfeldt becoming the band's vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter, and driving force.... read more

    Definitely these guys. Their riffs can be extremely nasty and at the same time can be very mellow and tranquilizing.

  16. Judas Priest

    Judas Priest are a British heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969. They are frequently ranked among the greatest metal bands of all time and are commonly called "The Metal Gods," after their song on the 1980 album British Steel. Their influence on the development of heavy metal is profound,... read more

  17. Anthrax

    Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The band is considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. They are known for albums such as Among the Living and for pioneering the... read more

  18. Cannibal Corpse

    Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1988. They're known for their graphic album covers, violent lyrics, and controversial song titles, such as "I Cum Blood." They gained mainstream exposure with their appearance performing "Hammer Smashed Face" in the 1994... read more

  19. Children of Bodom

    Children of Bodom was a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland. Formed in 1993, the final lineup consisted of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä, Jaska Raatikainen, and Daniel Freyberg. The band was known for its blend of melodic elements with extreme metal, and disbanded in 2019 following... read more

  20. Savatage

    Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The group was initially called Avatar before changing its name to Savatage. It went on to gain recognition for its symphonic and progressive metal style.

  21. Gojira

    Gojira is a progressive and death metal band from Bayonne, France. The band was originally known as Godzilla until 2001. Its members include Joe Duplantier on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mario Duplantier on drums, Christian Andreu on lead guitar, and Jean-Michel Labadie on bass.

  22. Corrosion of Conformity

    Corrosion of Conformity is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina, formed in 1982. Throughout much of its history, the band has featured guitarist Woody Weatherman, bassist Mike Dean, drummer Reed Mullin, and vocalist and rhythm guitarist Pepper Keenan... read more

  23. The Sword

    They play that old-school stoner metal, and just like other old-school bands, they have awesome riffs.

  24. Immolation

    Immolation is an American death metal band from Yonkers, New York, United States. Formed in 1986, the band is known for its dark and complex compositions. Immolation has been influential in the development of the New York death metal scene.

    Some tracks contain unusual melodic riffs, but their characteristic riffing is sick, twisted, and atonal - not very accessible. Rob Vigna is a very creative guitarist but goes unnoticed, just like the band itself.

  25. Forbidden

    Forbidden is a thrash metal band from the San Francisco Bay Area. Formed in 1985 as Forbidden Evil, the group shortened its name to Forbidden in 1987 and has undergone several lineup changes and reunions. Forbidden released several influential albums during the late 1980s and early 1990s and reformed... read more

  26. Xentrix

  27. Primal Fear

    Primal Fear is a German metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner. They are known for playing heavy metal, power metal, and speed metal, with a style often compared to Judas Priest, though Primal Fear is generally faster and heavier. The band features dual lead guitars, and Ralf Scheepers... read more

    They have different types of riffs, and I love the variety they offer.

    Songs:

    All for One,

    Road to Asylum,

    Strike,

    Diabolus,

    Blood on Your Hands.

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