I'm looking for some "Extreme" metal (ie Thrash, Black Metal, Death Metal, etc) with more traditional heavy metal/NWOBHM riffs. By this I don't necessarily mean harmonized guitars (though I'm not averse to suggestions including these), but kinda more "consonant" sounding riffs, not always so dissonant and chromatic. Like, how early Sodom is not always really evil sounding, but has a lot more Venom-y "rock n roll" riffs. Same with the song "Forgotten Existence" by Bolt Thrower, before the grind part comes in, it has a riff that wouldn't sound out of place on Iron Fist by Motorhead. *EDIT* almost forgot, Bulldozer is a really good example, like Venom, but with some more speed and chromaticism.

Thanks for all suggestions in advance.

Try Scottish Black/Speed metal band Hellripper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR1o4Qu6I5k
It's like a black metal version of Kill 'em All.

The Crown.
The Crown.
The Crown.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/The_Crown/132

No one does it better.

Start by checking out the album "Deathrace King". Then obsessively peruse the rest of their discography. You'll see exactly what I mean. You'll thank me for the recommendation later.



Wacken 2019 performance:



Rainbow Satan Overflow! \m/

Okay this is basically early Helloween/early Running Wild with harsh vocals, maybe taking your request a little too far:

Interesting topic.

Me personally, I don't think heavier bands should have rock-n-roll style riffs. It just doesn't sound heavy.

If you love rock-n-roll riffs, play rock-n-roll. There's no shame in that.

I think the reason bands do this is because their riffing isn't very advanced. They're stuck playing basic guitar 101 patterns and can't play anything chromatic that doesn't sound random or useless.

All the elements of a band need to fit together to form a cohesive whole. Riffs, vocal style, melodies, drumming, production, lyrics, etc.

Hey, that's pretty damn cool, I liked some of the other songs even better than the one you linked to.


That's EXACTLY what I'm looking for! Not retro to the point of being unoriginal, but encapsulates it really well. Vocals are a little melo-deathy, but it fits well. Thanks for this rec in particular, hit the nail on the head.


it doesn't really have a whole lot of extremeness beyond the vocals, but it's def cool, I always loved early Helloween and wish more power metal bands sounded like that.



Admittedly, some of the originators of this style were fairly amateur, which is part of the reason they played the style which they. But it by no means made it less heavy for me, or took away from it. It's not Morbid Angel, but it has it's own heaviness. Playing "rock n roll" style is not always amateurish. While not extreme, Megadeth has a lot of more traditional sounding riffs and solos, and I wouldn't describe them as "101". While I'm not a great guitarist, I honestly find writing evil chromatic riffs easier than writing traditional speed metal riffs that aren't boring as all hell.

I recently discovered this band via the promotion section, Eternal Autumn. Has a really good blend of melo-death leaning towards trad metal.

Check out their first album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvJswg2W-dQ

check out the first few witchery (swe) albums

Try Malokarpatan



and black/speed metal in general - Midnight is another fine example

A lot of Hellenic black metal fits that description.

Have you listened to Slaegt?

https://youtu.be/OEk1NKihOk8

Listen to Jordablod too. Surf rock meets black metal.

https://youtu.be/r9aAw9ZRp7M

Venenum.

https://youtu.be/LPU_xMwcFg4

What I've heard I like so far, pretty thrashy. I'll have to give a more full listen when I have time.



checked out a song or two off symphony for the devil, like the crown, pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Good shit, good mix of thrashier and more modern riffs. even heard a sorta breakdown on "The Storm".



Definitely the most unique rec so far, and one that is definitely entering my rotation. One of those bands that really makes their own atmosphere.



It's been a while since I listened to them, I was acquainted. I should have jst said Midnight in the original post.



Any particular recs? I'm not well aquainted with the Hellenic scene. I'll do some searching, but if you know specifics, I'll def check the, out.



These are kinda different than what I described, but of what I briefly listened to I enjoyed them all. Jordablod didn't give me a surfy vibe what I listened to, but the production gave me a "Man or Astro-man?" vibe. Venenum was really good and when I skipped to random part I heard this really awesome bluesy solo that somehow fit in the context of the rest of the song.


As always, thanks for all the recs.

can't go wrong with the first four rotting christ albums (they have a bit of a "more black" -> "more rock" progression through those, so adjust accordingly if you don't feel at home on the first track you pick)

A lot of bands are playing a style of black n'roll with traditional metal riffs reminiscent of stuff like Motorhead, Venom, and Bathory. Midnight, Hellripper, Power from Hell, Occult Burial, and Inepsy being a few.

Try Horrific as well for Death metal with a lot of rock and roll in it.