Riff Of The Week: Dragon Edition

February 23, 2020

1921

Riffs from Contrarian, Goatwhore, Engulf, Obituary, Azath, Keep Of Kalessin, Malevolent Creation, Asia, and Gargoyle.

Last week our theme was Ninth Tracks. Entombed eventually edged out Nevermore for the top spot. However, I’m awarding victory to vanNeun who was clearly one of the only entrants who spent more than 3 seconds picking a song to choose from.

This week’s theme was riffs from albums featuring a dragon on their cover
Here’s what you sent in…

GoatForest
Goatwhore – ‘Barring Teeth for Revolt’ (Riff @ 0:00)

Look, it’s not power metal, at least.

Holdeneye
Malevolent Creation – “Slaughter of Innocence” (Riff @ 0:00)

The “Slaughter of Innocence…Die Motherfucker” passage at 2:10 is one of the great all-time death metal moments, but I had to go with the intro in terms of pure riffage

McNulty
Contrarian – “My Curse” (Riff @ 3:30)

That’s a dragon, right? Hopefully this will be the only non power metal pick, therefore guaranteeing a win. I’m submitting the riffage going on during the solo, so don’t worry I’m not trying to pull a fast one like GL did years ago 🙂

Positronic Brain
Asia – “Heat of the Moment” (Riff @ 0:00)

1) Because it’s SEVEN LAYERS of guitars. For a power chord riff.

2) Because it was #1 when I was born (April 24, 1982)(same exact day/year as Kelly Clarkson).

3) Because it kicks fucking ass, that’s why.

Jeremy Riegel
Keep of Kalessin – ‘Dragon Iconography’ (Riff @ 1:20)

Dragon in the cover art? Fuck that. Dragon IS the cover art. And if that wasn’t enough, how about a dragon in the song title, too? As the opening track on the album, Dragon Iconography features an intro that builds and builds, almost teasing you for over a minute, until it finally explodes into pure awesomeness.

Hans
Keep of Kalessin – ‘Dragon Iconography’ (Riff @ 4:57)

I can’t believe it’s not power metal! Or is it? Armada, Kolossus, and this album all have quite some bombast and drama about them, but they usually manage to make it sound grand instead of cheesy and overall stay close to their native realm of black metal. While things started to develop in a different direction with Reptilian, it’s still got some bangers, like this here opener with this here little twist on one of its main riffs.

Iron Goddess of Mercy
Engulf – “Sovereign to the Seven Underworlds” (Riff @ 1:24)

M. R. Dragons / M. R. Not / O. S. A. R. – C. M. Fangs? / L. I. B. – M. R. Dragons!

Clean Sanchez
Obituary – Payback (Riff @ 0:00)

Here’s a little groover of a riff!
Payback’s an O-Bitch-Uary!

vanNeun
Gargoyle – ‘Thanatos’ (Riff @ 0:26)

This was uploaded in 2009 so excuse the visual quality, there is indeed a dragon on that cover art.
Good news: if you like what you hear – they have 18 albums total.
Bad news: actually finding a place where you can listen to any of it can be… troublesome.

Slimylimey
Goatwhore – ‘Baring Teeth in Revolt’ (Riff @ 0:00)

I made fun of their name for nearly 20 years. Then I saw them open for Amon Amarth and they blew the Swedes out of the water. Sammy Duet is a riff master and this is no exception. It’s even better live.