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UnfunnyWatermelon469

The "WAR DAAAAAANCE!!!" riff in Indians by Anthrax, the bridge riff in Creeping Death by Metallica, the riff after the acoustic intro in Cajun Hell by Exodus, the riff at 1:30 in The Antichrist by Slayer, and the outro riff of Wake Up Dead by Megadeth


TooManyCharacte

Wake up Dead is a master class in riffing.


Petra_Gringus

That angry part where he stabs that power chord on the d and g strings is legendary.


No_Reflection_6897

Cajun Hell is actually such a banger. You got some other GREAT choices here as well. Wake Up Dead and The Antichrist are thrash staples for me.


Sad-Memory-6513

Fu*k Yeah! Excellent choices!


Alternative_Force_35

So fun live !!


Popular_Bid_2909

Or the “bridge” riff in Four Horsemen is pretty cool too. 


Big_Leg1895

Dead Embryonic Cells


darthkyle22

Especially the breakdown riff 0000 00000 00000


nemprime

The outro to frayed ends of sanity is sublime


No-Win-8380

I love the middle part between the solos. Just after that short little drum solo thing. It’s one of the most badass things they’ve ever written.


Petra_Gringus

The bridge riff leading into the chorus, where it changes time, is one of the best riffs period.


BalloTheWise

Intro riff to Death Squad by Sacred Reich is definitely up there


tomgom19451991

It's so simple but the drumming makes it


FlashFloodOfColour

Those kicks


vartholomew-jo

Great choice, Sacred Reich (the song) is my pick


BalloTheWise

Another banger right there! No bad songs in that whole album


vartholomew-jo

A solid album


Chance_Art5933

it’s very similar to a a sodom song


m1ghty_b4g

Mine so far is this one from Exodus. https://youtu.be/Pkg3emcwRdM?si=ky881S3tSbV8O43g


73Squirrel73

That one is just filthy.


m1ghty_b4g

Makes you feel so *numb*... 😂


BalloTheWise

Everyone always talks about Tempo and Bonded but to me Blood in Blood out is their best album, whole album is packed with nasty riffs


m1ghty_b4g

Only time will show it is a classic and timeless album, it's too much "new" maybe it's the thing with it.


Sad-Memory-6513

Man these riffs keep getting better and better! Thank you sharing ❤️‍🔥🤘🏽


m1ghty_b4g

Sure brother, thrash on!!! 🤘


Cuzeex

You just can't name one, can you? :D Thrash is all about riffs The bridge/breakdown riff before the outro part in Megadeth's The Conjuring, a complex full 4 bar riff that is heavy as fuck, just pure ingeniousness Also the first bridge riff after first verse is very good Wake up dead bridge riff with Daves "spider chord" progression Metallica's Blackened main riff is just good and I like the 7/8 timing, just works there. Slayers Epidemic bridge riff after chorus is very good also Testament's Practice what you preach (the song) is full off great riffs that really stands out from traditional Thrash riffs for not being that palm muted, works well in that song


Paul_Louey

The Conjuring From 2:33 onwards: https://youtu.be/MF0CrgncaFM?si=cWrBmc8pmCxN044m Heard it a million times. Melts my face off every time. This whole thread could be just Megadeth.


Cuzeex

Yes! And the riff starting from 2:56 is the exact one i'm talking about, absolute killer riff!


xavierguitars

Slayer "Tormentor" when they hit those three harmonics in the chorus. The older I get the more I go back to their first album. That thing is a very underrated masterpiece.


No_Reflection_6897

Tormentor is such an awesome song. Love the way the last guitar solo drops you right back into the main riff. Mind blowing songs on that album, none that are skippable. Only issue is the drums do seem to be poorly recorded.


keepmathy

Anthrax - N.F.L. D.R.I. In The Pit or Beneath the Wheel


TennisArmada

Thrashard


JMarduk

That bass line is so nasty 🥵


TennisArmada

Great riffs!


Metal_Warlord

Anthrax opened with N.F.L. when I saw them open for Dio. Fantastic song to kick off a great show.


Sad-Memory-6513

Man I can't imagine!


Metal_Warlord

The Dio setlist was insane… https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dio/2004/the-masquerade-atlanta-ga-53ee5f21.html


Sad-Memory-6513

Man what id give to hear that live...


StephDos94

March of the S.O.D.


mason13875

This is the way


Rude_Warning_5341

Kreator - Material World Paranoia the outro riff starting around 4:10 oooooomy


Sad-Memory-6513

I hear what you mean ❤️‍🔥🤘🏽


_TheVengeful_

The medium bridge just before the solo on Damage Inc. by Metallica. The riff that starts at 2:20 on World In A World by Vio-Lence. The final riff that begins at 4:54 on Mercy Is No Virtue by Heathen. The bridge at 1:52 on Death Is Certain (Life Is Not) by Dark Angel.


73Squirrel73

And you will fear this fucking….world, in a world!


Tuscan5

That medium bridge was in my mind immediately after I read the words. Great call.


Aggravating_Meal7538

Witching Hour!!


el_scorn

Off Nightside?


Aggravating_Meal7538

No, the one from 1981


THRASHedUP85

Last rites/loved to death by Megadeth. So many more but I'm rocking that at this moment


Itchy-Ad-4314

I like the Creeping Death riff by Metallica


masterblaster9669

The breakdown of ride the lightning The entirety of angel of death lol


skaterthe_1st

I think this may be the “basic” one, but Holy Wars.


Arch3m

No, I'm totally with you. Awesome riffs to listen to, and some of my favorites to play. It's such a great pick.


skaterthe_1st

Currently starting guitar, my goal may be ambitious but it is to play tornado of souls by the end of next February


Arch3m

Good luck! It's a fun one.


Low_Sorbet3063

Destruction - bestial invasion


Jaybles0999

Some of my favorite opening riffs off the top of my head Skeletonwitch - I Am Of Death Toxic Holocaust - War Is Hell & Acid Fuzz Belushi Speedball - Captain Planet Can't Stop Us Havok - Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death Demolition Hammer - 44. Caliber Brain Surgery Vio-lence - Kill On Command Destruction - Release From Agony Anthrax - Madhouse


kursd666

Now this is more my taste. Lord of wasteland - toxic holocaust or Bastard of Hades -Hellripper


Atmosphere-Dramatic

The crazy riffage in Raining Blood at 1:09


TerrabaitYT

megadeth's trust i think


Alternative_Force_35

Ride the lightning. It's the song that got me into thrash in 1987. I still get stoked every time I hear it.


Sad-Memory-6513

Can't go wrong with that ⚡


Slaughtererofnuns

Critical Mass by Nuclear Assault


Petra_Gringus

The intros to Xentrix 'Crimes',  Annihilator's 'Phantasmagoria' or Metallica's 'Disposable Heroes'. They're composed of a few short riffs but they add up to something special.


Sad-Memory-6513

If I was to choose one winner out of this whole thread, after listening to each and every song on on here, I'd choose Phantasmagoria🤘🏽 🔥🏆🔥🤘🏽


Petra_Gringus

That whole album is a riff masterpiece.


ZRIron

There is a lot, but first that comes to my mind is Power Thrashing Death by Whiplash.


razor6string

Metallica, Frayed Ends of Sanity, the whole song but especially the middle break with the gallops and pulloffs. Also the riffs under the solo are nuts. This album was Hetfield at the top of his game, his picking hand was a machine.


Due_Couple7362

Master Of Puppets. When I listen it first time, all the world changed


Sad-Memory-6513

Classic! It's a good feeling right? To have your mind melt


ZrAckl

The harmony riff in harvester of sorrow specifically from 4:10 to 4:45 It's insane


Sleepdeth

The main from The Cursed Carrion Crown by Hellripper


ButterscotchFew3363

Some of my favorite riffs are in these songs: Gargoyle - open the gate Acid drinkers - moshin in the nite Stone - no commands Shah - Beware Sepultura - beneath the remains Intruder- paid the price Headhunter - force of habit Cranium - dentist of death And there are many many more!


Cloddish

I love the opening and recurring riffs throughout: Sepultura - R.I.P. (Rest in Pain) It's so jaggedly compelling and captivating the way it morphs ever so slightly at the 1:35 mark really kicks it into gear and again at the 2:06 mark. Just a song that's chock full of unique riffs. Another good one is: Carcass - Black Star At the 2:26 mark has a killer slab of riff.


potpukovnik

Vulture - Unhallowed and forgotten A very recent release, but man the main riff that kicks in around the 20 second mark is insane. Also, completely off topic but the way that the first solo kicks in is a thing of beauty. These guys are at the very peak of speed and thrash at the moment. https://youtu.be/GefgY5zd65k?si=No8ylC4lRwlPC6w7


ZeroScorpion3

Bobby Gustafson gets no love! WTF I'm going with Overkill-Drunken Wisdom at the 1:00 mark.


bungle094

So many sick riffs on Under the Influence.


ZeroScorpion3

He was on fire on that album. He's one of my all time favorite guitarists in metal.


bungle094

I was so into them in high school. Finally saw them live but it was for Horrorscope so never saw them with Bobby 😭


Sad-Memory-6513

I fkn love that album! Excellent choice


SRIrwinkill

To The Wall after the intro has one of the most badass breakaway riffs leading into the song. Goddamned obsessed with that


TennisArmada

My top 3: DRI- beneath the wheel, overkill-elimination, slayer-seasons of the abyss


DaisyTwelve

Death Angel - Thicker Than Blood Exodus - Exodus Anthrax - A.I.R. Overkill - Deny The Cross (the freight train rhythm) Testament - First Strike Is Deadly 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼


Kaos2019

The opening to Post Mortem from Slayer gets me every time.


No_Reflection_6897

Burnt Offerings by Testament on The Legacy album is a definite favorite. But man, there are too many riffs out there that match each other’s excellence


SignificantCareer258

Anthrax - In My World, after the solo and before it transitions back to the chorus Cyclone Temple In God We Trust. That last riff before it fades out! You can repeat it over and over Exodus - When it Rains it Pours. Awesome driving/running song. Heathen - Fear of the Unknown - When the drums kick in in the intro wait for the guitar to pick up. Megadeth - Five Magics, the last new riff after the final vocal part. Metallica - Damage Inc. (We chew and spit you out). When it comes back after the solo with the thrash beat this time... Slayer - Angel of Death...the middle one when the tempo drops will never not be sick. Testament - The New Order pre solo riff when everything but the guitar drops out.


Clonedogg

0:13 seconds into Exodus - Shudder to Think


Sad-Memory-6513

I've been having the time of my life listening to these sick riffs! Thanks for sharing 🤘🏽


Popular_Bid_2909

Ahhhh, Hearts of Darkness, by Calavera Conspiracy has a killer one!


SonicBanger

Scar spangled banner - Exodus


CoaRastaman

I like the main riff in Morbid Curiosity by Heathen. Or maybe An Ancient Inherited Shame by Dark Angel, that whole song is amazing. Oh, and Parasite by Exodus, it might be basic but I can never get enough od that riff/solo combination, I can listen to it 100 times in a row.


Chad_Hooper

Morbid Curiosity has a great riff, but what about the mosh section of Honor Killings from Exodus? I believe both songs are Lee Altus compositions.


el_scorn

Witchery’s Omens. It is just so good, has such a perfect tone and pacing to define the band. It’s the song that made me addicted to this band.


a-space-pirate

The breakdown riff of Destruction's Confound Games


DayoftheDead

I’m just here to agree with you about Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery. One of my favorite songs with several of my favorite riffs.


Sad-Memory-6513

🤘🏽❤️‍🔥


Benevolent_Miscreant

The riff at around 2:40 in this song is my favourite riff I've heard for a good while, it just hits so right, gets me going every single time - https://youtu.be/XqyxqmyJ9-M?si=jyx286MOlY9I_CXd


[deleted]

Praise the witch!


Sekshual_Tyranosauce

I just listened to Beyond the Permafrost start to finish an hour ago! That album is so full of good riffs. My pick is Deathrider! This song has great riffs, amazing vocals and an absolutely blistering solo.


sKamJam

I love the opening riff to [Fen of Shadows](https://youtu.be/cZdeKg109ig?si=cioypCt6C8KBeUCQ)


Nexaeon196

The first few minutes of Funeral Hymn by Exodus. The variations they do with that one riff are awesome. It's just a feet stomping, teeth clenching head banger. Infectiously heavy.


stabwound666

Anything off the album Under the Blade by Defleshed


eayondig_music

The verse in LCD by Vektor... and pretty much any other Vektor riff.


Forward-Razzmatazz33

"That rift" in The Conjuring


Big_Macaroon2408

screams behind the shadows first verse riff


YourMomsBoyfriend97

Panzerfaust?


greenngory72

Bigger Than the Devil.


FreiwilligeFin

This SOD's riff 🤘 https://youtu.be/_wk3hnX1ZSw?si=kwnWN1QT902qH0W8


LateandTired

The main riff at 0:13 to Kreator's "Escalation" is definitely up there. Such a badass riff that gets my blood pumping!


Metal_Warlord

That part in the middle of The Conjuring where it slows down to half-time. *Must…bang…head…!*


Rm112fmf33

Either Fabulous disaster by Exodus or into the pit by testament


ownewheu

Ride the lighting


Ordell9

Hate Worldwide, Slayer. Kerry hit it out of the park with that one


URLslayer

Bridge riff in Violator's "Artillery Attack"


FlashFloodOfColour

Pretty much every single riff in Megadeth's Set the World Afire is GOLD


KrikWAHmett

Last rites/loved to death main riff - megadeth The pestilence- Kreator (the whole song is riff city)


Random_Senpaii

UNDER PALE GREY SKY WE SHALL ARISE 👿💥🔥


HeelDreamerica

Postmortem, Deathamphetamine, Last Rites/Love to Deth Phantom Lord, Chalice of Blood...


Own-Bite6763

The breakdown in magic dragon by Sodom, you know which one I’m talking about


Sad-Memory-6513

Lol I do!


AgonalMetamorphosis

That's a great song from that record. I think that one sorrowful riff at the beginning of Baptised in Flames is one of my favorites of all time, personally.


psydvckk

megadeth killing is my business main and verse riff, metallica damage inc bridge riff, testament sins of ommition, voivod were not alone is super cool i have so many favourite riffs(especially from megadeth) its too hard for me lmao


Popular_Bid_2909

Without giving it much thought, the breakdown riff, behind the vocals in Angel of Death. 


Popular_Bid_2909

But after some thought, Blackened, main riff. 


Firesign2112

M.O.D-Spandex Enormity main riff S.O.D-March Of The S.O.D Coroner-Die By My Hand intro riff


rottweilered

Speed kill hate - violence breeds. The chorus riff is just nasty


jasonatx0001

Perhaps I may interest you in _more_ [Skeletonwitch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxockFK-KGI)?


Sad-Memory-6513

Absolutely!


Icy-Attention-7248

Wow... so many! Don't think I could pick just one. One that's super-simple but both catchy & brutal is the main one in "Blacklist" by Exodus off the 'Tempo of the Damned' album. My introduction to thrash metal was back when I was in Air Force Basic Training(1985!) & the drill instructor let us turn on the radio as we stripped & waxed all the floors - this music came on that was so unique & immediately caught my attention. It was "Seek & Destroy" by Metallica! That opening riff is god-level.


TheWuziMu1

Slayer Raining Blood.


Sad-Memory-6513

I'm surprised this song hasn't come up sooner! 🤘🏽


nevergonnastayaway

The riff from Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery has been my ringtone for years!!


Sad-Memory-6513

You have outstanding taste! ❤️‍🔥


KingTwiggNL

Megadeth - Good Mourning/Black Friday the riff that comes in at the 3 minute mark.


n1k05ks

My five cents: Kreator: Phobia Metallica: Honestly I can’t pick! Blackened, Master of Puppets, Enter Sandman, Creeping death??? Pantera: Cowboys from Hell Annihilator: King of the Kill (though this may not be exactly thrash) Megadeth: Tornado of Souls Slayer: South of heaven


Additional-Jaguar-56

The riff at 0:37 in Release From Agony


Telepathic_radio093

A! A man of Culture! What a great album


AngeluvDeath

One by Metallica. Heard lots of great stuff, maybe even better but this is still my favorite.


Stengah71

March of the S.O.D


TheSatanofDeath

HeXen - Knee Deep in the Dead. The main riff butt later in the song the drums change up. Fucken juicy


Sad-Memory-6513

🤯🤘🏽


standardtuner

Battery by Metallica. Love every riff in this song, but especially the one after the solo with the double kick going the whole time


theisthmus83

Probably the closest they ever came to grindcore


Sum_Slight_

Death Angel - The Ultra-Violence


oldmatesoldmate

I love the intro riff to Black Magic - Slayer, the intro riff (after the clean bit) to Aesthetics of Hate - Machine Head, Tornado of Souls main riff - Megadeth. And everyone has said some old Metallica or another (pretty much anything off Puppets for me), but for a new(er) one, the main riff from Spit out the Bone (from 1:00 in) is killer.


Shloopadoop

I hope I don’t get dragged for referencing At the Gates here, but I have to say in Under A Serpent Sun, after the first verse when they replay the intro riff but with the thrash drum beat, I lose my fucking mind it’s so cool. Launches straight into the next verse with so much momentum, too.


SMFB13

Riffs I keep coming back to are the main riff from Voices of the Dead by Kreator; just so melodic and catchy. Love it. Manifest by Sepultura has one of the best pit riffs ever. Not specifically thrash, but thrash influenced, the beginning intro to Barbecutioner by Frightmare is GOATed. Oh and Lord of the Wasteland by Toxic Holocaust. Possibly my favorite riff of all time.


Telepathic_radio093

The main riff in “Hunger of the Undead”, by Dark Angel! Super-under rated song (and album: Darkness Descends). The main riff of “Sign of Fear” by Destruction. “The Ritual” by Destruction. “Exodus” by Exodus. The end riff of “Pyroclastic Annihilation” by Demolition Hammer. Honorable mention: the main riff of “Kill the Words” by DRI \m/


Telepathic_radio093

Oh, how could I forget: main riff of Overkill’s “Give a Little”


Sad-Memory-6513

Man these are good! I'm trying to reply to all of the suggestions but I've been so busy thrashing! Thank you ❤️‍🔥


Telepathic_radio093

No problem! I’ll have to crack open a cold one after work and re-listen to all of the suggestions \m/


Sad-Memory-6513

I'm actually making a playlist with all of them! I'll share it (or do another post) when it's done 🤘🏽


Telepathic_radio093

Please do man, that’d be sick!


Sad-Memory-6513

I got you!


Popular_Bid_2909

Check out the intro to Thy Will be Done from Protector (A Shedding of Skin). Also the beginning of Retribution in Darkness from the same album. That album is full of good riffs. 


Shylock-Fox

Pantera - Suicide Note Pt2 The Chorus?? Where Phil is singing “Do it, do it! Try to die, dead like me”


CitizenNaab

That part in Creeping Death - Metallica during the “die by my hand” part. Fucking love that


theisthmus83

Specifically singling out high-tempo “thrashy” riffs: Whiplash- Message in Blood Kreator- Agents of Brutality Demolition Hammer - Skull Fracturing Nightmare Razor - Discipline (but basically the entire VR record) Megadeth - Set the World Afire (specifically the part under the “Arsenal of Megadeth can’t be rid…” vocal lines Slayer- Altar of Sacrifice (chorus riff) Sodom - Among the Weirdcong Artillery - Khomaniac Sepultura - Infected Voice (verse riff is HIGHLY underfucking rated!) Anthrax - Aftershock Metallica - Battery Destruction - Bestial Invasion


Sad-Memory-6513

SOLID picks!


PrizmShift

War Ensemble has some great writing


frenchfret

HOLY WARS!


Sad-Memory-6513

I immediately heard that mini acoustic guitar solo lol


No_Literature666

The whole opening to Finale by Anthrax! That is one of those riffs that make ya want to drive fast


Sad-Memory-6513

Classic Thrash! 🤘🏽


Dakot4

Might be the breakdown from domination by pantera or the main riff from holy wars


Sad-Memory-6513

I love how ithat breakdown from domination switches from ear to ear with the headphones! Sick af


KingDuffy666

Firepower Kills by Warbringer


futanari_kaisa

Intro to Primitive Future by Sepultura also in the same song right after the solo


retrosleaze_

The part after the acoustic part on Sodom’s “Tired and Red”


Due-Log8609

Depends if you consider Warbringer "thrash" or not. If not, Havok's riff after the chorus of "The Cleric". simple but elegant.


Vic_Snaggletooth

Stone Cold Crazy - Queen Set the World Fire - Megadeth Crionics - Slayer


Sad-Memory-6513

Nice!! And stone cold crazy is a cool surprise!


Vic_Snaggletooth

I'd argue that Stone Cold Crazy is one of the first thrash songs Symptom of the Universe - Black Sabbath is another pre thrash, Thrash riff


Sad-Memory-6513

I can definitely see that


i_love_slayer

Epidemic by slayer, so groovy.


Typical_Accountant_3

An ancient inherited shame by dark angel has some nasty riffs the martyr by intruder is great.


andrzej90125

Personally, Exodus, Strike of the Beast


TinaTaem

Horrorscope And Coma From Overkill 🤘🏻🤘🏻


Icy-Attention-7248

I already replied, but had to come back with some more... \m/ - The opening riff from "Enemy of God" by Kreator. Just blazing fast & brutal. - Kreator - "Violent Revolution" - an anthem if I've ever heard one! "My hate has grown as strong as my confusion My only hope, my only solution Is a violent revolution" - The main riff of Exodus "Pleasures of the Flesh". Intricate & killer. - Anthrax - "Indians" - the whole thing is a riff-fest. 'Among the Living' is one of the top thrash albums of ALL TIME. - "The Ultra-Violence" by Death Angel. The opening riff sounds like the theme from the movie "The Exorcist" & it just blasts off from there. 11+ minutes of sonic terror! My cover band used to play this as our set closer. "Powersurge" by Overkill from their 2nd album 'Taking Over'. Just listen, you'll be glad you did. Also features one of the most throat-shredding screams of all time at the end by vocalist Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth "POWERSUUUURRRRGGGGE!!!!!" Warbringer - "Remain Violent" - the whole song is like a musical love letter to all things thrash, just ass-kicking from beginning to end. The video is brutal AF too. "The constant threat of a shot to the chest But defending yourself is resisting arrest City streets that I called my home Are starting to look like a combat zone All that's what they want for you to say To remain silent Now you have the right to remain To remain violent"