Top 10 Metal Guitar Riffs Every Beginner Should Learn

Learning guitar is one of the most exciting musical journeys you can take, and when it comes to energy, attitude, and power, nothing beats metal. Those heavy, chugging riffs that make your heart race are what define the genre. They’re bold, expressive, and packed with emotion. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been practising for a while, learning the best metal riffs can supercharge your progress and make you fall in love with your instrument all over again.

If you’ve ever dreamed of playing like Tony Iommi, James Hetfield, or Dimebag Darrell, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll walk through the top 10 metal guitar riffs that every beginner and intermediate guitarist should learn. Each one teaches you essential techniques and gives you a deeper understanding of how metal guitar works.

To make the most of these lessons, you can also book a live online guitar lesson with one of our expert tutors. They’ll help you master each riff step by step, correct your technique, and make sure you sound your absolute best.

Let’s start where metal began. “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath is one of the most recognisable riffs in rock history. Written by Tony Iommi in 1970, it helped create the blueprint for everything that followed in heavy music.

The riff is slow, simple, and incredibly powerful. It’s built on strong intervals that sound dark and menacing, using power chords and single notes to create a heavy, doom-filled atmosphere. Beginners love this riff because it’s not too fast, but it still feels epic when you play it right.

Guitar tip: Focus on getting your timing perfect and let each note ring clearly. You don’t need complex fingerwork—just confidence and control.

Tony Iommi famously lost two fingertips in an accident, which led him to tune down and use lighter strings. That change gave Black Sabbath their signature heavy tone, proving that sometimes creativity comes from challenges.

When it comes to modern metal, few riffs are as iconic as Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” Released in 1991, it’s the song that made millions of fans pick up a guitar for the first time.

The riff starts with an eerie clean tone before exploding into distorted power. It’s built around muted open-string notes that create tension and release. James Hetfield’s downpicking technique gives it that tight, punchy feel that defines Metallica’s sound.

How to practise it:
Use a metronome and start slowly, focusing on even palm muting and consistent picking. Hetfield is known for his rhythmic precision, so control is more important than speed here.

If you’re learning guitar online, your tutor can help you refine your picking hand technique. It’s one of the most valuable skills you can develop as a rhythm guitarist. You can find experienced online metal guitar teachers ready to guide you through riffs like this.

Few riffs sound as heavy and groovy as Pantera’s “Walk.” Dimebag Darrell’s genius lies in how he combined simplicity with pure power. The main riff is slow but hits like a freight train.

This song is a lesson in attitude. It uses D standard tuning, giving the guitar a deep, thick sound. The timing is crucial—it’s all about locking in with the drums and creating a solid groove rather than playing fast.

Technique tip: Focus on strong, confident downstrokes and clean fretting. Try adding pinch harmonics to capture Dimebag’s signature squeals.

This is an ideal song to learn with a live instructor, who can help you master the subtle bends and rhythm feel that make the riff come alive.

If you want to test your speed and endurance, “Raining Blood” by Slayer is the ultimate challenge. The opening riff is aggressive, chaotic, and full of energy. It’s a classic example of thrash metal at its best.

Why it’s great for learners:
Even if you’re not ready to play it at full speed, breaking it down slowly builds your picking technique and hand coordination. It’s a perfect workout for your alternate picking and stamina.

Many students in our online guitar lessons use this song to track their progress. When you can finally play it cleanly, it feels like a huge accomplishment—and it sounds incredible.

Iron Maiden are legends of British heavy metal, and “The Trooper” is one of their defining songs. Its galloping rhythm is instantly recognisable and teaches an essential metal guitar skill: rhythmic control.

The main riff uses a “gallop” pattern—two short notes followed by a long one—which gives it that charging energy. It’s a great exercise in timing, endurance, and coordination between your hands.

Learning tip: Practise the gallop slowly, using alternate picking. When you’re comfortable, gradually increase your speed while keeping the notes clean.

If you want to improve faster, our guitar teachers can show you how to perfect your right-hand technique and even help you harmonise dual-guitar parts like Iron Maiden do.

Dave Mustaine’s songwriting in “Symphony of Destruction” combines heavy rhythm with clever musical structure. The riff is catchy, but it also introduces players to quick chord changes and muted strumming patterns.

This song is fantastic for improving your rhythm guitar skills. It teaches you how to stay tight while moving around the fretboard and how to balance aggression with precision.

Pro practice tip: Keep your picking hand relaxed. Tension slows you down and ruins accuracy. Start slow, focus on clean transitions, and let the speed come naturally.

For intermediate learners, studying Megadeth riffs is a gateway into advanced metal rhythm playing, and our live tutors can help you dissect the technique in real time.

“Crazy Train” is one of those songs that every guitarist should know. The intro riff is bright, energetic, and perfectly balanced between rock and metal. Randy Rhoads brought a touch of classical music into his writing, giving this riff a unique flair.

What you’ll learn:
This riff helps build coordination between your fretting and picking hands. It also improves your timing and your ability to jump between open strings and fretted notes cleanly.

If you’re learning guitar online, this is a great song to study with a teacher. They can guide your hand positioning and tone control to help you capture that crisp, professional sound.

Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law” proves that simple can still be brilliant. The main riff uses just a few power chords but creates an unforgettable hook. It’s fun to play, sounds powerful, and builds your sense of timing and confidence.

This is one of the best beginner-friendly metal riffs because it’s straightforward and satisfying. It’s also a great way to practise muting unwanted string noise and changing chords smoothly.

Learning tip: Play along with the original recording to get used to the song’s tempo and groove. It’s the perfect warm-up or confidence booster.

If you’ve just started to learn guitar online, ask your tutor to add this song to your lesson plan. It’s a fun milestone for early learners and sounds great even with basic gear.

Speed, attitude, and energy—that’s what “Ace of Spades” is all about. Motörhead’s classic anthem sits between punk and metal, making it perfect for players who love fast, straightforward riffs.

The main riff is built around power chords and open strings, which makes it an excellent study in endurance. Playing it up to tempo is challenging but incredibly rewarding once you get there.

Technique focus: Work on your strumming consistency and right-hand stamina. Keep your wrist loose and stay relaxed to maintain speed without tension.

Lemmy and the band’s raw sound inspired countless future metal players, showing that passion matters more than perfection.

Modern metal wouldn’t be the same without Slipknot. “Duality” is one of their biggest hits, combining heaviness with melody. The riff is powerful but accessible, making it great for both beginners and intermediate players.

It’s played in drop B tuning, giving it a low, thunderous tone. You’ll learn about palm muting, dynamics, and how to control heavy distortion without losing clarity.

Pro tip: Use a metronome to stay tight with your rhythm. Modern metal is all about precision, and this song will help you develop it.

Once you’ve learned the basics, your guitar tutor can help you explore different tunings and effects to achieve that professional Slipknot-style tone.

Each of these riffs builds essential skills that every guitarist needs:

• Timing and rhythm: You’ll learn to stay in the pocket and groove with the beat.
• Right-hand technique: Palm muting, downpicking, and gallop rhythms all improve your control.
• Tone and dynamics: Playing heavy isn’t just about distortion; it’s about how you attack each note.
• Confidence: These riffs sound amazing even at slow tempos, helping you gain confidence as you grow.

Learning them is not just about copying famous songs—it’s about understanding what makes great music work.

Thanks to modern technology, you can now learn metal guitar from anywhere in the world. Live Online Music Lessons offers interactive one-to-one guitar sessions with expert tutors who guide you through every step of your musical journey.

Instead of struggling with random YouTube videos, you’ll get tailored feedback, personalised practice routines, and structured progress tracking. Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to refine your skills, our guitar teachers can help you play the music you love with confidence.

Metal guitar riffs are more than just music—they’re energy, emotion, and expression wrapped into sound. Each of the riffs we’ve explored is a milestone in rock history and a fantastic tool for learning guitar online.

Start with the ones that excite you most, practise regularly, and don’t worry about perfection. With patience and guidance, you’ll develop the technique, timing, and tone that define great players.

If you’re ready to take your playing to the next level, explore Live Online Music Lessons today and book a session with one of our expert guitar teachers. Learn the riffs that shaped rock and metal—and start writing your own.