The often publicly derided, but wildly popular brand of heavy metal known as Nu-Metal never had its sights set on complexity. It was however all about simplicity and melody. Incorporating elements of other genres into a modern metal sound. One things was always consistent however – great nu-metal riffs.
Great riffs are present through all of heavy metal – in fact it is a defining feature of metal. However nu-metal places an emphasis on catchy, melodic riffs like no other. Are these the greatest nu-metal riffs of all time? Of course they are. At least I believe so anyway. You be the judge….
Dig – Mudvayne
Br-br-deng – the greatest 3 note bass riff of all time? If not then Dig would certainly be the most recognisable, and a defining riff of a generation. The recent announced Mudvayne reunion is just another change to see the glorious madness from the painted maestros on full display once again.
Sugar – System of a Down
The opening riff of Sugar by the mighty System of a Down displays perfectly how simplicity rules all. Honestly, you could pick any System of a Down song and there will be a memorable riff on full display. But the sheer ferocity of this riff – along with Serj Tankian‘s wild roars, earns its place on this list without question.
Break Stuff – Limp Bizkit
This may be low hanging fruit, but it has to be taken. The often overlooked magic of Limp Bizkit is the small flourishes guitarist Wes Borland adds onto his riffs. Break Stuff, using a simple rapid hammer-on on the intro riff is a textbook example. Add in the simple and wobbly chorus riff and you have a nu-metal classic.
Frantic – Metallica
Hate St. Anger all you like, you can’t deny the sheer weight of some of the nu-metal riffs on display. The main riff to album opener Frantic is exactly as the name suggests. Derided as a Metallica album, this would have been much more respected by another band. You know what, even the snare drum has grown on me over time.
Between Angels And Insects – Papa Roach
The intro riff is a key ingredient in making a song memorable. The reason why many nu-metal songs are memorable are the sheer amount of awesome intro riffs on display. Back during the days when Papa Roach were a perpetually pissed off nu-metal band, they unleashed their greatest intro riff on Between Angels And Insects.
One Step Closer – Linkin Park
This song is absolutely stacked with classic nu-metal riffs, but the breakdown riff is the standout. One Step Closer is the ultimate metal club mosh pit banger, and the breakdown riff is guaranteed to generate carnage. Linkin Park created their record setting debut album and metal was never the same again.
Left Behind – Slipknot
Again another song packed full of great riffs. You could pick any of the riffs from the classic Slipknot track, but the prominent one here is the brilliant opening riff. Full of that gnarly groove that underpinned much of Slipknot’s earlier work, and especially throughout their breakout album Iowa.
Loco – Coal Chamber
More gnarly groove from the OG weirdos of nu-metal. From right back in the very early days of nu-metals run in 1997, Coal Chamber produced their seminal self titled debut album. Following Loco‘s creepy intro, in hits one of the glorious golden oldies of classic nu-metal riffs.
My Own Summer (Shove It) – Deftones
Two riffs for the price of one here, with a very slight tweak and single note lines into drop tuned power chord lines. The opening track from their sophomore release Around The Fur, My Own Summer (Shove It) drops a mosh pit anthem in which many nu-metal riffs reside.
Down With The Sickness – Disturbed
A list of the greatest nu-metal riffs would not be complete without one of the most recognisable of all. Disturbed have long since evolved through to radio rock stardom. But back in the day, they released their stunning debut album, and Down With The Sickness has a memorable riff….and an equally memorable vocal bark.
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