The Top 10 MEANEST Guitar Riffs Ever Written

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  • Опубліковано 4 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 4,4 тис.

  • @MusicisWin
    @MusicisWin  3 роки тому +638

    Which riff is meanest? Mean answers only.

  • @CesarCordova
    @CesarCordova 3 роки тому +1481

    Black Sabbath's Black Sabbath made me crap my pants when I was a kid.

    • @tepidtooth8539
      @tepidtooth8539 3 роки тому +22

      That’s not mean that’s just heavy lol

    • @r39erzz6
      @r39erzz6 3 роки тому

      Lmao!

    • @chazm3
      @chazm3 3 роки тому +22

      I was 16 or 17. the first song on their first album. Really glad I wasn’t alone when I heard that. For me that was the birth of what came to be known as heavy-metal later. By the way, is there any other instance in music history of a song that is the same name as that band, and the song is the same name as the album, and it’s the first song on the album??!?

    • @GroteB
      @GroteB 3 роки тому +12

      'Children of the grave' is much heavier imo.

    • @mirwurscht7515
      @mirwurscht7515 3 роки тому +9

      I'd add the main riff of iron man to the list, that thing makes you want to punch someone in the face...
      But I think it's a shame that he didn't have any sabbath song on the list, their music consisted basically of mean riffs only (well excluding maybe the ending of symptom of the universe 😅)

  • @arjansandhu2929
    @arjansandhu2929 3 роки тому +928

    Every Breath You Take is obviously the meanest riff because it breaks your fingers.

    • @siddhantraju4708
      @siddhantraju4708 3 роки тому +36

      Also because the song is so stalker-yyy

    • @samtheman123
      @samtheman123 3 роки тому +10

      I can play it but then I’m done for the day because my hand needs at least 24 hours to recover

    • @keplerarpeggios3215
      @keplerarpeggios3215 3 роки тому

      my favorite is by the Silver Thinkers: the 17 million and Product, especially that end one!!

    • @coltallic3114
      @coltallic3114 3 роки тому +10

      Also Snow (Hey Oh)

    • @vacuity__
      @vacuity__ 3 роки тому +2

      Doesnt break my fingers and im only 14 with baby carrot fingers

  • @joshthebavarian
    @joshthebavarian 3 роки тому +573

    Cant forget the breakdown mid solo on Pantera’s “ Domination “

    • @balintpetervari8450
      @balintpetervari8450 3 роки тому +4

      Hell yeah😍🤘🏻

    • @unSelf21
      @unSelf21 3 роки тому +12

      Fuckin' A right. That riff punches you in the face. Repeatedly.

    • @katiehall5177
      @katiehall5177 3 роки тому +6

      The original! Rivaling and slightly surpassing raining blood

    • @simonhouel1984
      @simonhouel1984 3 роки тому +1

      The intro of 25 Steps to Nowhere ...

    • @Darkhalo314
      @Darkhalo314 3 роки тому +2

      The heaviest riff in the universe

  • @SY-nq3qp
    @SY-nq3qp 3 роки тому +64

    The riff starting at 3:20 in "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" is one of the most lethal guitar riffs of all time.

  • @MarkToast99
    @MarkToast99 3 роки тому +501

    Walk by Pantera is pure pissed off energy. It’s probably the easier riff on earth to play, but it just has that anger to it like nothing else

  • @liam96condon
    @liam96condon 3 роки тому +318

    The end of Domination by Pantera is the textbook definition of “mean mugging”

    • @phobosmoon4643
      @phobosmoon4643 3 роки тому +3

      domination the album by morbid angel is like the nastiest fart u ever smelled. Face upside down.

    • @mihnearadu6644
      @mihnearadu6644 3 роки тому +9

      For me it's 5 minutes alone by Pantera :/

    • @breachless5320
      @breachless5320 3 роки тому +4

      I think you could do like 5 top ten videos like this with JUST Pantera riffs. 5 Minutes Alone definitely sits near the top for sure.

    • @bobrock9758
      @bobrock9758 3 роки тому +6

      The whole far beyond driven album is enough to bust my nut

    • @TheEpicLinkFreeman
      @TheEpicLinkFreeman 3 роки тому +1

      honestly the 2 most popular songs I could think of right off the top of my head that I would associate with the video title were Domination, and Sad But True.

  • @xodiaq
    @xodiaq 3 роки тому +563

    Pantera, “Five Minutes Alone”. It isn’t just mean, it’s BRUTAL.

    • @MrEric622
      @MrEric622 3 роки тому +9

      You beat me to it. By an hour...

    • @shredbacca
      @shredbacca 3 роки тому +22

      i came here expecting some pantera but was disappointed

    • @shredbacca
      @shredbacca 3 роки тому

      @infoslinger its so fun to play

    • @sand_swan
      @sand_swan 3 роки тому +6

      This is THE only answer. They literally shout "@$$ Stomp!" and then proceed to play the meanest, most brutal, @$$stompiest riff in the known universe.

    • @tomgig18269
      @tomgig18269 3 роки тому +8

      I would've also excepted the breakdown in domination.

  • @ghazihadihussain7355
    @ghazihadihussain7355 3 роки тому +142

    Tyler bro u forgot some of the meanest ones
    1. Raining Blood - SLAYER
    2. Domination - PANTERA
    3. Walk - PANTERA
    4. Cowboys from hell - also PANTERA
    5. Painkiller - Judas Priest
    6. Breakin the law - Judas Priest

    • @bjthebrain968
      @bjthebrain968 2 роки тому +3

      7. Metal Meltdown - also Judas Priest

    • @cosmic4319
      @cosmic4319 2 роки тому +7

      The breakdown in strength beyond strength is really mean

    • @PaladinJenkis
      @PaladinJenkis 2 роки тому

      White Trash Trailerpark Metal

    • @speedking7224
      @speedking7224 2 роки тому +1

      Into the void- black sabbath/soundgarden

    • @Devioushooper821
      @Devioushooper821 2 роки тому +1

      the very first thing I thought clicking on this vid was there was going to be a lot of Pantera (ok not a lot of Pantera

  • @Leo-fq3sx
    @Leo-fq3sx 3 роки тому +317

    Harvester Of Sorrow is honestly just evil, I just love it, specially when the distortion kicks in

    • @stijnp8675
      @stijnp8675 3 роки тому +11

      Yeah that’s the evilest of all Metallica riffs 🤘🏻

    • @downpickers7312
      @downpickers7312 3 роки тому +2

      I think everyone does

    • @emilsd5379
      @emilsd5379 3 роки тому

      No

    • @okeedokee3131
      @okeedokee3131 3 роки тому +15

      The thing that should not be is right there with it, neither is better tho

    • @sofberet8888
      @sofberet8888 3 роки тому +2

      @@emilsd5379 🤨

  • @michelejoyce281
    @michelejoyce281 3 роки тому +373

    I’m broken by Pantera should have been here. And there should have been some Black Sabbath.

  • @Luke_Marinara
    @Luke_Marinara 3 роки тому +128

    I love how at 1:07 he said aggression is not necessary and then at 8:08 he said it's all about the aggression.

    • @yourpalbryan1442
      @yourpalbryan1442 3 роки тому +9

      If this is a joke whoosh me, but he does say that it's the tone that doesnt need to be aggressive but the attitude that you attack the notes at that is aggressive so.... yeah

    • @dieselyeti
      @dieselyeti 3 роки тому +1

      Weak editing skills? ::shrugs::

    • @moonboogien8908
      @moonboogien8908 3 роки тому +1

      Its weird, as soon as I read this he was saying it..... Cosmic.

    • @Luke_Marinara
      @Luke_Marinara 3 роки тому +1

      @@moonboogien8908 Cosmic indeed....

    • @kushmush8714
      @kushmush8714 3 роки тому +1

      He was talking about tone at 1:07 and the mood of the player at 8:08.
      Completely different things.

  • @jager9022
    @jager9022 3 роки тому +4

    Flying Whales - Gojira
    The Heaviest Matter in the Universe - Gojira
    Millionaire - Queens of the Stone Age
    Feet Don’t Fail Me - Queens of the Stone Age
    The Fun Machine Took a Shit and Died (the bridge riff) - Queens of the Stone Age
    No One Love Me and Neither Do I (the second half riff) - Them Crooked Vultures
    Angel With the Scabbed Wings - Marilyn Manson
    Laichzeit - Rammstein
    Bückstabü (or B*******) - Rammstein
    Du Richst So Gut - Rammstein

  • @ethanlyles2778
    @ethanlyles2778 3 роки тому +404

    can’t believe a radiohead song made this list but there isn’t a single pantera one. i mean the whole Far Beyond Driven album exists

    • @rd3914
      @rd3914 3 роки тому +9

      It’s a good riff lol

    • @ronaldswangler2538
      @ronaldswangler2538 3 роки тому +38

      This list is fucking lame.

    • @ryanduey7531
      @ryanduey7531 3 роки тому +2

      1000%

    • @MrTylersmash
      @MrTylersmash 3 роки тому +2

      @@ronaldswangler2538 it's a good list.

    • @MikeSoutham
      @MikeSoutham 3 роки тому +12

      @@MrTylersmash it really isn't..... Ethan Lyles is 100% correct. How By demons be driven by Pantera (or anything else from them) isn't on this list is crazy.... don't get me wrong, the riffs on here are all good riffs, but mean? Hardly....

  • @B0bi_007
    @B0bi_007 3 роки тому +141

    "Am I a joke to you?" - Tony Iommi

    • @katiehall5177
      @katiehall5177 3 роки тому +2

      SLAYER

    • @1freexp511
      @1freexp511 3 роки тому

      Dime Bag Darrell

    • @tahamohammedi5898
      @tahamohammedi5898 3 роки тому +6

      Into the God damn Void

    • @cheezyridr
      @cheezyridr 3 роки тому +4

      @@tahamohammedi5898 damn right, brother! spot-the-fuck-on! everyone else who didn't also say into the void is plain fucking wrong.

  • @joshloaf89
    @joshloaf89 3 роки тому +158

    Here’s all of your gnarly time-stamps for today:
    0:30
    1. Children of Bodom - Everytime I Die
    “Get your brooms out, put on your mean mug”
    1:04
    2. Radiohead - I Might Be Wrong
    “No aggressive tone needed, neck pickup on”
    1:41
    3. Jimi Hendrix - Spanish Castle Magic
    “The Eb power chord that cannot be denied”
    2:25
    4. Rage Against The Machine - Wake Up
    “What was the song I had turned up the loudest whenever in my car?”.. Slide nation!
    3:14
    5. Ghost - Cirice
    “The Tri-tone interval played at will”
    4:11 Meanest shoutout to sponsor Square Space
    5:42
    6. Megadeth - Mechanix
    “The Four Horsemen but angrier”
    6:16
    7. Metallica - Damage Inc.
    “One of the most angriest galloping riffs known to man”
    7:20
    8. Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand
    “The meanest fretwork from a man’s hand”
    7:57
    9. AC/DC - Beating around the bush
    “The most articulate, angriest low gain riff ever”
    8:53
    10. Steve Vai - Gravity Storm
    “Steve Vai has alluded this riff is so mean that it makes you work harder than ever to accomplish it”
    10:18 Angry Outro

    • @MADARA-mm3md
      @MADARA-mm3md 3 роки тому +6

      Your effort deserves more likes❤️

    • @TheSinnical
      @TheSinnical 3 роки тому +1

      Kudos!

    • @katiehall5177
      @katiehall5177 3 роки тому

      Slayer... The final frontier. To boldly go where.....

  • @saigoogias5532
    @saigoogias5532 Рік тому +3

    massive respect for including bodom bro! my all time fave band, saw them times here in scotland, great content as usual man, big love

  • @DarkLordLinkOfficial
    @DarkLordLinkOfficial 3 роки тому +311

    Playing the main riff of Sad But True always gives me the stank face

  • @lorenzocibin1400
    @lorenzocibin1400 3 роки тому +111

    I think the main Into the void riff should have been on this list, it is one of the meanest riffs ever

  • @plasmakitten4261
    @plasmakitten4261 3 роки тому +57

    I'm definitely opting for Painkiller. The riff just screams "I'm gonna run you over with my sawblade-wheel dragon bike just because I can".

    • @captainshiner42
      @captainshiner42 3 роки тому

      Fuck yes, my guy! Glenn's solos are no joke either.

    • @Tee468
      @Tee468 3 роки тому

      Yes but the Painkiller Death cover version

    • @ronaksdev
      @ronaksdev 3 роки тому +1

      Also We Die Young by Alice in chains

  • @jbuell311
    @jbuell311 Рік тому +14

    “Mouth for War” or basically anything by Dimebag. Also love the breakdown on “I’m broken” and the harmonic breakdown at the end of “Great Southern Trendkill”
    All good stuff!!

    • @Kriegter
      @Kriegter Рік тому +1

      I'll say "A New Level" is mean as hell

  • @ImDudePlayinADude
    @ImDudePlayinADude 3 роки тому +274

    I feel like one of at least 4 Pantera songs should be here. Walk, I'm Broken, 5 minutes alone,

    • @HVNTERTN
      @HVNTERTN 3 роки тому +13

      The fact that "I'm Broken" and/or "Shedding Skin" ain't on here is a true travesty.

    • @louisianaball
      @louisianaball 3 роки тому +3

      Suicide note part 2

    • @KradunkulousE
      @KradunkulousE 3 роки тому +7

      I agree with all of these though my personal favourite meanest pantera riff has to be slaughtered

    • @ImDudePlayinADude
      @ImDudePlayinADude 3 роки тому +4

      @@KradunkulousE I just noticed that I said 4, and listed 3, so I'll pretend I left a blank for everyone else to fill in.

    • @louisianaball
      @louisianaball 3 роки тому +4

      @@ImDudePlayinADude suicide note part 2 is so God damn mean man. It describes how I feel exactly

  • @helgijonsson3537
    @helgijonsson3537 3 роки тому +210

    Opeth - Master's Apprentices is literally the riff that will play when Satan rises up from the earth and smites us all to oblivion

    • @lukemadden4434
      @lukemadden4434 3 роки тому +20

      There are so many evil Opeth riffs, such an amazing band

    • @justanotherbro9794
      @justanotherbro9794 3 роки тому +11

      Also Heir Apparent

    • @keplerarpeggios3215
      @keplerarpeggios3215 3 роки тому +1

      my favorite is by the Silver Thinkers: the 17 million and Product, especially that end one!!

    • @MB-kt8lh
      @MB-kt8lh 3 роки тому +3

      Yeah when I read mean I immediately heard demon of the fall, but yeah there are ton of mean riffs from opeths discography.

    • @chrisking6695
      @chrisking6695 3 роки тому

      Why would he rise from the earth tho? 😂

  • @zennytj
    @zennytj 3 роки тому +193

    I'll always think that Bad Horsie by Steve Vai is, and will always be, the meanest riff of all time

    • @orangejuzs
      @orangejuzs 3 роки тому +5

      I 10000% agree with you

    • @jeremydawson4162
      @jeremydawson4162 3 роки тому +3

      Yes!! Couldn't agree more!

    • @destianpatrianagara1119
      @destianpatrianagara1119 3 роки тому +3

      Bad Horsie it is.

    • @lynxfinish9017
      @lynxfinish9017 3 роки тому +3

      that's a totally understandable take

    • @tony_n316
      @tony_n316 3 роки тому +3

      Bad Horsie was the first riff that came to my mind!! Both from the actual song and from his intimidation of Ralph Macchio to open the "head cutting" in Crossroads.

  • @KBIbanez1989
    @KBIbanez1989 2 роки тому +5

    That main riff to “Unchained” by Van Halen especially when the flanger kicks on has to be the meanest of all time

  • @PanaMethul
    @PanaMethul 3 роки тому +129

    You cannot have any discussion about riffs without mentioning Tony Iommi, this whole list could be about him and it wouldn’t be wrong; Sweet Leaf, Children of the Grave, Into the Void, Electric Funeral, Supernaut, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Symptom Of The Universe, The mob rules, country girl, Iron Man etc

    • @dsm3194
      @dsm3194 3 роки тому +2

      Man aint that the truth, Toni is nasty in the best way 🤘

    • @and_rick_tilapia
      @and_rick_tilapia 3 роки тому +4

      I would’ve put zero the hero up there, easily one of their most imposing songs

    • @brians1793
      @brians1793 3 роки тому

      @@and_rick_tilapia I was gonna say that one too.

  • @JJJJay
    @JJJJay 3 роки тому +78

    Van Halen’s “Mean Streets” has a certain swagger and meanness to it too I feel.

    • @lonniusmaximus3836
      @lonniusmaximus3836 3 роки тому +3

      DOA is another killer riff. Not to mention “Don’t tell me (what love can do)”. Makes me grimace every time.

    • @adam872
      @adam872 3 роки тому

      I thought exactly the same thing about Mean Streets

    • @sammyweed4771
      @sammyweed4771 3 роки тому

      Thank you !!!!

    • @sammyweed4771
      @sammyweed4771 3 роки тому +2

      When he goes in to one foot out the door is banging !!!

  • @Nghilifa
    @Nghilifa 3 роки тому +67

    That bridge-riff in Damage Inc. is the best riff Kirk Hammet has ever written, hands down.

    • @MUSiC-world-20986
      @MUSiC-world-20986 3 роки тому +1

      Cough... Master Of Puppets (main riff and the pre-chorus both belong to Kirk); Dyers Eve, Hero Of The Day, Wasting My Hate (main ones, again).

    • @Nghilifa
      @Nghilifa 3 роки тому +4

      @@MUSiC-world-20986 I knew about the chorus/pre-chorus riff, but not the verse riff (if that's what you're thinking of). That's pretty darn cool. That said, Damage Inc. is still my fave tho, hehe.

    • @airconditioningunit9777
      @airconditioningunit9777 3 роки тому +1

      @@MUSiC-world-20986 huh, thought james wrote the dyer’s eve riff, though i can see how kirk couldve wrote it considering how thrashy a few of his riffs are (trapped under ice, disposable heroes)

    • @travistotle
      @travistotle 3 роки тому +1

      @@Nghilifa I don't know if that's what he's talking about, but he'd be wrong. Kirk wrote that pre chorus riff, but he definitely had no involvement with the "main" riff of the song (whether that's the verse or the 0-1-2-0-1-3-0-1-4-0-1-3-0-1-2-2 hook of the song). He MAYBE had a part in the first riff of the song, before the hook, but it was a riff he and James said they just kind of fucked around with while jamming together, and then James changed it up and added it in MoP for the recording.
      ...I've done too much Metallica research in my life

  • @mihalis1010
    @mihalis1010 3 роки тому +1

    The chorus riff from Walk. There is nothing that gets my blood pumping quite like that riff.

  • @tycharry_2177
    @tycharry_2177 3 роки тому +62

    The bridge to Domination by Pantera seems like an obvious choice for a part 2 to me

    • @synhet84
      @synhet84 3 роки тому

      To me this one is brutal not necessarly mean . It's more headbanging than badass if you will.

    • @creedolala6918
      @creedolala6918 3 роки тому +2

      I have a one question mensa test based on this, that I like to try on people. Only geniuses get it right.
      "Complete this sentence:
      DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN (dun)
      DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN!
      DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN (dun)
      DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUN!
      ___________________________"
      If they fill in the blank with something that sounds like "DEEDDLEELEEDLEDEELEEDLEDEELEEDLEEDLEEDEELEEDLE..." then they pass the test.

    • @TheAlexLamberty
      @TheAlexLamberty 3 роки тому

      Domination, Walk, and 5 minutes Alone

  • @BoggiSpielt
    @BoggiSpielt 3 роки тому +89

    "these guitar tones don't need to be aggressive necessarily", Nik Nocturnal wants to know your location.

    • @allahobama6554
      @allahobama6554 3 роки тому +8

      Everyone who listens to Periphery would like to know your location

    • @yash9410503314
      @yash9410503314 3 роки тому

      @@allahobama6554 nice name

    • @katiehall5177
      @katiehall5177 3 роки тому

      Yeah a large Roni xtra slayer and a two liter of coke

  • @BKEBSCH
    @BKEBSCH 3 роки тому +54

    PANTERA. Take your pick. New level, revolution is my name, domination, yesterday don’t mean shit, becoming. 5 minutes alone, dive bomb pinch harmonic city baby! Getcha pull!

  • @johnnybeef1
    @johnnybeef1 Рік тому +1

    I’m REALLY late to the party here, but through 100 or so comments and not a single mention of Danzig’s “How the Gods Kill” or anything by Slayer (seasons in the abyss, south of heaven, dead skin mask anyone?) I weep for the future of humanity.
    Tyler, you’re incredible. Great call on Spanish Castle Magic. I would not have said that before hand but you nailed it.

  • @ronwardjr7710
    @ronwardjr7710 3 роки тому +199

    I mean, I respect you a TON, love your content through and through. But it's an absolute tragedy to not have literally ANYTHING from Pantera. The breakdown riff for domination? Or primal concrete sledge. Or the almighty main riff to walk. Gotta do a second video with some Pantera my man. Love your work! Thank you 🙏

    • @MysticMonkeyMiracle
      @MysticMonkeyMiracle 2 роки тому

      I like their music a lot but their racism kind of makes it hard to support ya know? Same with Clapton. Won't support people who use their platform to express racism.

    • @jmacc9876
      @jmacc9876 2 роки тому +14

      @@MysticMonkeyMiracle Please find a racist Pantera or Clapton song and report back when you find one.

    • @piercehubbard4086
      @piercehubbard4086 2 роки тому

      Dude even if he did a top 100 something you wanted to see wouldn’t show up there’s just too much badass riffs out there. Try playing the acoustic intro to “to live is to die” from Justice, it’s virtually impossible!

    • @evanthompson4186
      @evanthompson4186 2 роки тому +9

      @@MysticMonkeyMiracle Dimebag was one of the nicest people to ever walk this earth. He didn't hate anyone for any reason

    • @evanthompson4186
      @evanthompson4186 2 роки тому

      @@MysticMonkeyMiracle I mean Michael Jackson was a child molester but people still be bopping to his shit. Seperate the art from the artist because you're never going to agree with someone 100%. Rage Against the Machine are communists and I still listen to their music even though is filled with politics I don't agree with. Who gives a shit? I appreciate thr art

  • @maverickpro
    @maverickpro 3 роки тому +143

    The fact that Outshined by Soundgarden is not on this list is an absolute tragedy.

    • @federico_latini_sp
      @federico_latini_sp 3 роки тому +10

      The original stank face riff

    • @bobnewton1064
      @bobnewton1064 3 роки тому +3

      Absolutely astonished not to see it here

    • @ChickenFriedBrad
      @ChickenFriedBrad 3 роки тому +5

      That one, New Damage, and Slaves and Bulldozers are some of the meanest riffs I've ever heard.

    • @djholro
      @djholro 3 роки тому +2

      Was also looking for this one on the list. Then having not seen it, came to the comments looking for anyone else who thought of it.

    • @bakalaudia5620
      @bakalaudia5620 3 роки тому

      Every riff on this damn record is fucking nasty

  • @iiRituaL
    @iiRituaL 3 роки тому +139

    Take any 10 Pantera songs and that’s your top 10 meanest riffs right there!

  • @alexcastro7339
    @alexcastro7339 3 роки тому +1

    Frankenstein by Edgar Winter.... Da da da da da daaaaa! Da da da DA DA!
    Sounds just like the monster himself.. 😎

  • @isaacgleeth3609
    @isaacgleeth3609 3 роки тому +35

    "...and now, here's 'Wonderwall.'"
    *everyone makes mean face at hearing that riff*

  • @howzaou812
    @howzaou812 3 роки тому +45

    Sabbath “Into the Void” one of the most glorious riffs ever written!

    • @katiehall5177
      @katiehall5177 3 роки тому

      Donde es slayer

    • @ungratefulpeasant8085
      @ungratefulpeasant8085 3 роки тому +5

      I agree into the void is a great riff, in fact any song from Sabath's first five albums. They don't call Tony Iomi the godfather of metal and riff master for nothing.

    • @LUckybones25
      @LUckybones25 3 роки тому +1

      All day!

  • @OleksandrMilkovskyi
    @OleksandrMilkovskyi 3 роки тому +17

    Gojira - The Heaviest Matter of the Universe (intro)
    Pantera - A New Level (intro)

  • @theodorstorelvmo1476
    @theodorstorelvmo1476 3 роки тому +1

    Jambi by tool, when the bass kicks in the adams guitar riff just gets meaner

  • @dumbinfp7951
    @dumbinfp7951 3 роки тому +15

    If you ask me Bleed by Meshuggah, the outro from Born For One Thing by Gojira, and the intro to Pull the Plug by Death are the meanest riffs of all time.

  • @wccraig6127
    @wccraig6127 3 роки тому +80

    I gotta say a mean riff is probably sad but true by Metallica. Also, what about your guitar collection? Let's see a video about that

    • @MUSiC-world-20986
      @MUSiC-world-20986 3 роки тому +8

      Cough... Harvester Of Sorrow, The Thing That Should Not Be, Orion (you know which one), Devil's Dance, Better Than You or Don't Tread On Me (main ones for both), The Shortest Straw (full thing), Am I Evil?, Cyanide, Suicide & Redemption, To Live Is To Die (main), Phantom Lord, Eye Of The Beholder, Confusion, Am I Savage? (you know the part), Murder One (...)

    • @maxt4803
      @maxt4803 3 роки тому

      @wc craig he's already done one

    • @krizalist.
      @krizalist. 3 роки тому +2

      @@MUSiC-world-20986 and you can add am i savage breakdown riff

    • @wccraig6127
      @wccraig6127 3 роки тому

      @@maxt4803 Last time i checked it only talked about his few most expensive guitars he owns. Maybe I'm wrong? IS that what you mean?

    • @maxt4803
      @maxt4803 3 роки тому

      @@wccraig6127 idk but I just remember him making a video on his collection I think? Could be wrong tho

  • @joaofranciscosilva7019
    @joaofranciscosilva7019 3 роки тому +23

    Mailman by soundgarden is one of those riffs that you hear and you just wanna destroy stuff with a hammer. One of the meanest riff i've ever heard

  • @SIRebrum
    @SIRebrum 6 місяців тому +7

    No *Slayer, Pantera, Lamb of God, Gojira, Behemoth* ❔

  • @instaman34
    @instaman34 3 роки тому +27

    I'm actually shocked no Alice in Chains riffs made it on here

  • @jjforeverandever8450
    @jjforeverandever8450 3 роки тому +65

    Maybe its just me but After listening to some of Mick Gordon's tracks for the 'DOOM' franchise, even the meanest riffs here feels absolutely kind and polite😂

    • @whiteface513abandonedchann8
      @whiteface513abandonedchann8 3 роки тому

      Absolutely. Those djenty riffs are all so dark, heavy, and hard-hitting that I just get a huge craving for more every time I hear a couple seconds of it

    • @Dream_elixir_band
      @Dream_elixir_band 3 роки тому +1

      Was looking for someone else who thought this way! Haha. Cool video but I guess these sound mellow compared to a lot of heavier stuff I’ve heard lol

    • @AsianCole
      @AsianCole 3 роки тому +1

      everytime I hear bfg division in game I get a rush

    • @mister9012
      @mister9012 3 роки тому +1

      Rip and tear! I can feel BFG 10000 in my bones, its so heavy.

  • @olafsriffs
    @olafsriffs 3 роки тому +62

    Gojira’s Flying Whales would fit this amazingly

    • @Gabrostil
      @Gabrostil 3 роки тому +3

      Basically all the riffs of that song could be here

    • @op3crimsin
      @op3crimsin 3 роки тому +6

      Backbone's bridge is almost as heavy as Lizzo.

    • @eliottbesse6172
      @eliottbesse6172 3 роки тому +4

      Dude "The Heaviest Matter of the Universe" is the shit

    • @NeedNepsis
      @NeedNepsis 3 роки тому +1

      @@op3crimsin violation 💀💀

    • @ky9999
      @ky9999 3 роки тому

      Stranded too!!

  • @ferox965
    @ferox965 3 роки тому +3

    Pentagram's Sub Basement is one of the most diabolical riffs ever made. It's been my ringtone for years...when my phone rings it scares the shit out of people.

  • @bananaboysadventures
    @bananaboysadventures 3 роки тому +15

    Would have loved to see some Alice In Chains on here! Jerry Cantrell has a lot of awesome riffs I’d put in the “mean” category. We Die Young, It Ain’t Like That, Them Bones, Rain When I Die (especially when he kicks that wah pedal on), Angry Chair, Head Creeps... so many good ones!

  • @yoursensei8837
    @yoursensei8837 3 роки тому +32

    The breakdown from Jambi by TooL better be on here...
    Edit: My dissapointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.

    • @bizichyld
      @bizichyld 3 роки тому

      I thought the same thing but I went with the opening riff because it’s more complex rather than having just the one chord, but it is definitely meaner.

    • @instaman34
      @instaman34 3 роки тому +2

      Adam Jones seriously needs more recognition for his riffs.. Third Eye, Jambi, Parabola, list goes on.

  • @stevel303
    @stevel303 3 роки тому +37

    Walk by Pantera! How does Dimebag make so few notes sound so vicious?

    • @katiehall5177
      @katiehall5177 3 роки тому +1

      For the love of slayer

    • @whistlindixiesmallengine2085
      @whistlindixiesmallengine2085 3 роки тому

      A good amp and some good pedals it's in drop tuning so it's pretty easy

    • @Barrsie
      @Barrsie 3 роки тому +3

      @@whistlindixiesmallengine2085 no, Walk is standard tuning down a whole step. From memory, Dime hardly ever used drop tunings. Medicine Man is the only track that stands out in my mind as the exception

    • @mihalis1010
      @mihalis1010 3 роки тому +2

      @@Barrsie D standard with the tuner set to 425hz. So it's basically a flattened D standard. Still though, not that extreme in comparison to the gut punch of the Walk riff.

  • @cynicald380
    @cynicald380 2 роки тому

    Looking forward to part 2 mate. Maybe riffs that you can help head banging along to when playing?

  • @kobrien6657
    @kobrien6657 3 роки тому +44

    "First, children of bodom. Next, radiohead.". 😆😆😆😆😆

    • @katiehall5177
      @katiehall5177 3 роки тому +2

      I like my sugar with coffee and slayer

    • @kobrien6657
      @kobrien6657 3 роки тому +1

      @@katiehall5177 It's obvious that the writers of this list are aware that heavy metal exists, but don't actually listen to any of it....Tyler😋

    • @BK-lx5mo
      @BK-lx5mo 3 роки тому

      MEAN, not heavy. Play radiohead's album "The Bends" before passing judgement. (Yes, I've been listening to metal since '83)

    • @kobrien6657
      @kobrien6657 3 роки тому

      @@BK-lx5mo I have it since the week it came out, fantastic album... not very mean though IMO. So by that logic "mean" mr. Mustard' should have made the list. 😋

  • @totendestro585
    @totendestro585 3 роки тому +9

    Tyler is such a fucking solid Guitar Player no matter what technic is required.

  • @rockson23
    @rockson23 3 роки тому +32

    I love how he has left out Slayer, because they are on a whole different level of mean.

    • @keplerarpeggios3215
      @keplerarpeggios3215 3 роки тому

      my favorite is by the Silver Thinkers: the 17 million and Product, especially that end one!!

  • @cold_chili3356
    @cold_chili3356 3 роки тому +1

    Something by Tool like the ending riff in "The Pot".

  • @KevinKoolx
    @KevinKoolx 3 роки тому +4

    The tremolo picked bridge at the 3 minute mark for Gojira "L'enfant sauvage". That's the intensity up to 11 and it's just straight angry and aggression. LOVE IT!

    • @connor6895
      @connor6895 3 роки тому +1

      That and the second riff in flying whales

    • @Jopeymessmusic
      @Jopeymessmusic 3 роки тому

      I named that riff the "Wolf riff" to my mates due to the video for "L'enfant sauvage" having a random wolf show up at that point in the video. It's a great riff.

  • @cyrus8586
    @cyrus8586 3 роки тому +22

    “Walk with me in hell,” “March of the S.O.D.”

    • @73challenger5031
      @73challenger5031 3 роки тому

      M.O.D. "Hate Tank"

    • @jessecovey1778
      @jessecovey1778 3 роки тому

      I’m not sure this guy has much of a background in metal but he’s doing his best.

  • @eetuvainamo2463
    @eetuvainamo2463 3 роки тому +87

    I was like: Yes Children of bodom these are gonna be some heavy mean riffs!
    Then comes radiohead: yep nice and fluffy.......

    • @foje_2840
      @foje_2840 3 роки тому +2

      My exact reaction

  • @kosycat1
    @kosycat1 3 роки тому

    My mean riff list.
    Had to cry today-Blind Faith
    Into the void- Black Sabbath
    Freelance Fiend- Leaf Hound
    Death Walks Behind you- Atomic Rooster
    I'll agree with Spanish castle magic- Jimi Hendrix
    Summertime Blues- Blue Cheer
    One way or another- Cactus
    Melvin Laid an egg- Bloodrock
    Mississippi Queen- Mountain
    Rockin' Man- Budgie
    Woman Tamer- Sir Lord Baltimore

  • @chrisbollyn4724
    @chrisbollyn4724 3 роки тому +261

    I don't know if it's just me, but literally every single riff here is like a coffee shop riff.

    • @ItsSauIGoodman
      @ItsSauIGoodman 3 роки тому +22

      Hes clearly never listened to deathcore/djent

    • @chrisbollyn4724
      @chrisbollyn4724 3 роки тому +17

      @@ItsSauIGoodman I think it’s more to pander to the larger demographic of who watch his videos: people that give a shit what Klon sounds like.
      You’ll never hear a deathcore/djent riff on this channel.

    • @davefx7949
      @davefx7949 3 роки тому +6

      @@chrisbollyn4724 Suggest something. I'll give it a listen and then come back and tell you it's shit. Hahahah

    • @chrisbollyn4724
      @chrisbollyn4724 3 роки тому +17

      @@davefx7949 What would the point of that be? You’re already of the opinion that everything I’ll suggest will be crap. Do you think that ANY of the riffs above even get anywhere close to mean?
      In no particular order off the top of my head: Human Sacrifice - Gorgoroth, Threshold - Slayer, Dawn of the Angry - Morbid Angel, Vacuity - Gojira, Violence, a Worthy Truth - Vitriol.

    • @ejw3006
      @ejw3006 3 роки тому

      Yeah Fr I can give him the COB even tho I don’t like em too much. Definitely pandering cause songs from bands like KSE, Trivium, GOJIRA, and tons more not even pure metal bands top pretty much all of these

  • @adrianmojica2619
    @adrianmojica2619 3 роки тому +13

    Any Bolt Thrower riff always leaves me with a mean mug.

  • @jaedonrodriguez1066
    @jaedonrodriguez1066 2 роки тому +2

    Where’s Meshuggah, Opeth, Oathbreaker, Cannibal Corpse riffs? Everyone has a different meaning of “mean” I guess.

  • @benkogan522
    @benkogan522 3 роки тому +20

    Achilles Last Stand is the definition of epic.

  • @dominicdunn8611
    @dominicdunn8611 3 роки тому +27

    My man got two adds in one, square space AND guitar super system 😂

  • @ShadowThemeFFVI
    @ShadowThemeFFVI 3 роки тому +33

    Some riffs that tingle my otherwise absent mean streak:
    Rammstein - Asche zu asche
    Sabaton - Back in Control
    AC/DC - Whole Lotta Rosie
    Five Finger Deathpunch - Dot Your Eyes

    • @keplerarpeggios3215
      @keplerarpeggios3215 3 роки тому

      my favorite is by the Silver Thinkers: the 17 million and Product, especially that end one!!

  • @MetallicaOrDie6
    @MetallicaOrDie6 2 роки тому +2

    the middle break in Dancers to a Discordant System by Meshuggah is easily the the most mean muggin riff I've ever heard

  • @mcgamescompany
    @mcgamescompany 3 роки тому +14

    Gotta say ghost of perdition by opeth, every time i hear it (i think is the verse riff, basically when he says ghost of, mother/perdition, lingering death) i make that face. Those silences are damn brutal.

    • @bryce1561
      @bryce1561 3 роки тому

      The riff from 8:23 of that song should be illegal

  • @lukebaker6740
    @lukebaker6740 3 роки тому +24

    No more tears by ozzy and wylde is very viable for this list

    • @katiehall5177
      @katiehall5177 3 роки тому

      Set timing 8 degrees before top dead slayer

  • @grilledspaghetti
    @grilledspaghetti 3 роки тому +23

    That Ghost riff is epic.

    • @Jeffrey_L
      @Jeffrey_L 3 роки тому

      It sounds awfully familiar to a few other songs though.

    • @grilledspaghetti
      @grilledspaghetti 3 роки тому

      @@Jeffrey_L I don't really follow the genre anymore, so...
      First time I have heard it.

    • @metalheadblues
      @metalheadblues 3 роки тому

      James Hetfield likes it

    • @Fawkes318
      @Fawkes318 3 роки тому

      I dare you to play this riff and not make the mean face. Try me...

    • @metalheadblues
      @metalheadblues 3 роки тому +1

      @@Fawkes318 I literally learned that riff after watching this and learned the most of the song as well , it's really fun to play and sounds sick! Stink face engaged

  • @markslima1557
    @markslima1557 2 роки тому

    Okay you really delivered on the mean riffs! Most of which I've never heard before, good stuff!

  • @benvines6711
    @benvines6711 3 роки тому +29

    That Radiohead riff is sick, the neck pickup is king

    • @gooshnpupp
      @gooshnpupp 3 роки тому +4

      Actually liked his sound better than the original 🤭

  • @firefly3981
    @firefly3981 3 роки тому +14

    It may not be the meanest riff ever, but the meanest thing I ever did with music was play Steve Vai's "Juice" at MAX volume to wake up my lost lazy layabout stepson. He is gone now and I miss him every day.

  • @ryanange7123
    @ryanange7123 3 роки тому +7

    "Over the Mountain" and "Flying High Again" always made me make a mean face!

    • @artheriford
      @artheriford 11 місяців тому

      The solo in Over the Mountain is angry. My favorite Randy solo

  • @ringoflatts6571
    @ringoflatts6571 3 роки тому +1

    Can’t forget Sludge Factory by Alice In Chains or Honey Bucket by Melvins

  • @mmrseed
    @mmrseed 3 роки тому +15

    This video requires an asterisk....*Top 10 meanest guitar riffs not written by Jeff Hanneman

    • @bugeater2671
      @bugeater2671 3 роки тому +1

      Kerry Fn King wrote a few as well!

    • @mogsy2112
      @mogsy2112 3 роки тому

      The beginning of Jesus Saves, gives me instant stank face. 🤘

  • @Jopeymessmusic
    @Jopeymessmusic 3 роки тому +6

    "Misanthrope" by the band Death is full of fairly mean riffs. The intro riff is articulated perfectly with regards to aggression. I mean their entire back catalogue is mean riffs but misanthrope stands out for me personally.

  • @danielaronowitz1
    @danielaronowitz1 3 роки тому +13

    The break in Sturgill Simpson’s song “Sugar Daddy” is mean as hell. Would love to see that featured on a part 2

  • @eatingyellowsnow2891
    @eatingyellowsnow2891 2 роки тому

    alexi f-king laiho was the reason I started playing guitar. that man and that band has so many songs that could have made this list but definitely like that you picked an older song from them

  • @bbattila
    @bbattila 3 роки тому +10

    Flying Whales by Gojira
    Also, Children of the Grave by Black Sabbath

  • @Wolfoe-ex2jj
    @Wolfoe-ex2jj 3 роки тому +4

    Cliff’s bass line during the damage inc bridge is genius. Nothing crazy, just E up to Bb and back to E, but the tritone in the background really solidifies the evil feel of the riff.

  • @outspoken5196
    @outspoken5196 3 роки тому +6

    There is one Iron Maiden riff that gets very little recognition, but absolutely amazing and mean and I think it would be an excellent one to mention, the intro riff to Sea of Madness from the Somewhere in Time album

  • @dyerseve07
    @dyerseve07 Рік тому +1

    Meanest riff ever? Extol's - Of Light and Shade
    At the 3:10 mark to the end.....my gosh.

  • @slhanks4
    @slhanks4 3 роки тому +9

    Black Sabbath's The Sign of the Southern Cross has one of meanest riffs I've ever heard. It's a simple riff, but it's a monster!

  • @lproof8472
    @lproof8472 3 роки тому +5

    The all-time mean riff: Black Sabbath - “Into the Void”
    Get your mean mug ready boys

  • @SchwartzerAdler
    @SchwartzerAdler 3 роки тому +4

    That main riff from Gojira's Flying Whales is so mean, it will toss you in front of a bus just for the laugh!

  • @AnWe79
    @AnWe79 3 роки тому +3

    We must have very different definitions of mean...
    Here's a few of my picks for mean riffs:
    Walk, Twist Of Cain, Blinded by Fear, Get It On, El Rodeo, Black Sabbath

  • @armydilo13
    @armydilo13 3 роки тому +4

    Dream theater, this dying soul, the part about 6 minutes or so in where it goes into chuggy nasty girth.

  • @Eli1234fivesix
    @Eli1234fivesix 3 роки тому +4

    Man that Paul Reed that you used for the Steve Vai riff is absolutely a work of art... I just got my first prs and they are amazing guitars!

  • @Love4boost
    @Love4boost 3 роки тому +4

    I didn’t know you have an SG. I would’ve liked to have seen Trivium on here. Pretty much anything from Ascendency, Shogun, In Waves, even the newest album What The Deadmen Say. Matt and Corey are a lethal duo. I think Corey might be one of the most underrated guitarists period.

  • @SesamemeFrog429
    @SesamemeFrog429 7 місяців тому +1

    1. RATM - Killing In The Name
    2. Metallica - Through The Never (the bridge riff)
    3. Bullet For My Valentine - Waking The Demon
    4. Savatage - Hall Of The Mountain King
    5. S.O.D. - March Of The S.O.D.
    6. Megadeth - Devil's Island (the entire intro)
    7. Judas Priest - Painkiller
    8. Iron Maiden - Wrathchild
    9. Guns 'N' Roses - Out Ta Get Me
    10. Metallica - Sad But True

  • @armydilo13
    @armydilo13 3 роки тому +6

    Fear factory self biased resistor the breakdown will have you scowling all day

  • @tylerreisinger734
    @tylerreisinger734 3 роки тому +17

    I never thought I'd see someone else get a hard on about "Beating Around the Bush". Song is absolutely disgusting. An underrated gem on a 10/10 album

  • @jh8091
    @jh8091 3 роки тому +6

    96 Quiet Bitter Beings always makes me mean mug people in the grocery store

  • @scottupole9726
    @scottupole9726 2 роки тому +1

    It made me so happy to see "Achilles Last Stand" on here! Amazing song!

  • @loiteringrambler2928
    @loiteringrambler2928 3 роки тому +24

    The top 10 hardest hitting song beginnings next pls

    • @lug00ber
      @lug00ber 3 роки тому +1

      Machine Head - Davidian

    • @ombakhshi2686
      @ombakhshi2686 3 роки тому +2

      Bleed meshuggah

    • @aidenmcclendon5457
      @aidenmcclendon5457 3 роки тому

      Crawl Damageplan

    • @wohnjick8833
      @wohnjick8833 3 роки тому +2

      Lay it down - Ratt
      On Fire - Van Halen

    • @loiteringrambler2928
      @loiteringrambler2928 3 роки тому

      @@badgasaurus4211 that was intros that give you chills. I mean songs like from the sky by Gojira where the songs hits you like a freight train

  • @KradunkulousE
    @KradunkulousE 3 роки тому +8

    Some of my personal favourite mean riffs would be both demanufacture and edgecrusher by fear factory, slaughtered by pantera and black bear by whitechapel

  • @aleksanderwojczak765
    @aleksanderwojczak765 3 роки тому +6

    "The Top 10 MEANEST Guitar Riffs Ever Written"
    Number #1: Stairway to heaven at guitar center.

  • @chrismcdonald4682
    @chrismcdonald4682 2 роки тому

    Loudness- we could be together! That song and Ratt-lack of communication made me decide to play guitar back in the way back days.