Riff Of The Week: Scandinavian Edition
Riffdeer and lingonberry jamz.
Last week we kicked off the year with riffs from tracks titled “Intro/Introduction” in our very creatively titled Intro Edition. Apparently 20% of you love some bootleg-ass feline/kalamari hybrid abomination more than Sepultura. Your parents have been notified of your failure.
This week we asked for Scandinavian riffs and we got a pretty solid range of entries for you to jam, assess, then flush away the unworthy. Just a quick browse through the competition this week has me thinking I’ll struggle to pick between three of my fave Scando bands Grafvitnir, Nekromantheon, and Morbus Chron.
GoatForest
Naglfar – “Way of the Rope” (Riff @ 1:35)
This riff is one of many that show why Naglfar should always be on any list of awesome Scandinavian bands. This baby has it all: a great swing, catchiness, and pure fucking evil.
Ian Rigg
Amon Amarth – ‘The Pursuit Of Vikings’ (Riff @ 0:01)
This riff starts the song out and really fits the song itself. I can imagine myself swilling mead and crossing the icy waters to crush thine enemy. First song i heard by these guys and still my favorite. Also has a sweet sing along chorus.
Spear
Grafvitnir – ‘Kenaz’ (Riff @ 0:25)
The riff to end all riffs. Best to just listen from the beginning and let this track obliterate your soul, but start at 0:25 and go for about a minute for maximum jammage in a pinch.
Howard Dean
Heavy Load – “The Guitar Is My Sword” (Riff @ 0:04)
In a contest that is sure to be awash with classic black and death metal, I decided to submit a traditional heavy metal riff from Heavy Load (aka Sweden’s Manowar). I have zero expectations with this submission (though it is sure to please Boss the Ross), and I expect a vote total in the lowest quartile. However, give it a chance, ’cause this is an epic motherfucker.
THE GUITAR IS MY SWORD, I’LL FIGHT ‘TIL I DIIIIIIIEEEEEE
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL IS MY LORD ‘TIL THE VERY LAST SIGHHHHH
xtuffxghostx
Nekromantheon – “Metal Vendetta” (Riff @2:48)
Nekromantheon know how to thrash. It takes less than a second to go from 0 to old sk00l headbanging. RIP neck muscles and brain cells.
Taz
At The Gates – ‘The Swarm’ (Riff @ 1:16)
EEP! TAZ CAN’T COMMENT IN COMMENTS SECTION COS’ TAZ VICTIMISED AS SPAM BY DISQUS AND INTERNET!!! INTERNET BULLY TAZ!!! TAZ SAD!!! BUT TAZ CAN STILL BRING EPIC RIFF CHOICES TO MASSES!!! ANY RIFF BY ‘ATG’ GOOD!! THIS LOW HANGING FRUIT ONE START AT 1.16!! BLEEEGGRRPPRTPRTPRTPRTPRT!!!
The_Dude
Nasum – ‘The Masked Face’ (Riff @ 0:44)
This song is what got me hooked on Grindcore, and I’ve been bumin’ change for it ever since.
Hans
Beaten To Death – ‘Groundhog Day’ (Riff @ 0:07)
Last minute change of plans – almost submitted something from Finland. Gonna have to go with a Norwegian classic referencing a Bill Murray classic (presumably) instead. It can’t be the first time I’m raving about Beaten To Death on here, they’re consistently awesome. Do I get bonus points for the “UGH!”?
vanNeun
Invocator – ‘Weave The Apocalypse’ (Riff @ 0:54)
There is quite a few nifty riffs on that album. This one might be on the simpler side of things but I thought of it the moment i read the theme this week so here it is.
MITCH TRVBISKY
Morbus Chron – Aurora in the Offing (Riff @ 0:35)
This album is full of so many interesting riffs that I just put the album on shuffle and picked the first song that came on. The new Tribulation is good and all, but bot do i miss Morbus Chron.
Lacertilian
Skaur – ‘Om Sorg og Helvete’ (Riff @ 1:56)
While the majority of Skaur’s recent material has a unique and distinctly forlorn Nordic maritime feel, the riff that follows the militaristic marching snare rolls around 1:56 sounds much more like the battle’s conclusion is yet to be decided.
[yop_poll id=”405″]
Lately I’ve been pining for some traditional shit, so next week I wanna see some riffs from albums featuring badass horseriding motherfuckers on the cover. You know, like Visigoth and Crypt Sermon kinda thing. Bonus points if they’re wielding a sword/scythe/scimitar or some other archaic weapon. That shit rules.
Submission details below.
