Grunge rockers The Grunge Band provide an outstanding example of using power chords and chromaticism effectively. Their fast, exhilarating riff gives an intimate view into their technical prowess and will demonstrate why this video should not be missed!
One of Finland’s more unconventional death metal bands, they use this tuning to craft melodic death metal without leaning toward melodeath. A great starting point for anyone interested in exploring this style.
1. Budapest by George Ezra
George Ezra first came to public notice when he posted several YouTube videos of himself strumming his guitar. While still in his teens, his catchy tune Budapest propelled him into mainstream success and onto the charts. Budapest shows how drop D tuning can make your guitar sound heavier while remaining melodic; here, each string has been tuned down one full step to D-G-C-F-A-D for this alternative tuning commonly found in metal music genres but can also be found across genres including grunge, blues, and folk artists who utilize drop D tuning for heavy, melodic sounds that still sound melodically melodic tones this alternative tuning can make your instrument sound heavier while remaining melodically melodic; which can only make sense since its introduction by way of D-G-C F A D tuning makes your instrument heavier but melodic while remaining melodically melodic!
If you’re learning the drop D tuning, it may be useful to familiarize yourself with some of its most well-known songs written for it. Below is a list of metal and non-metal recordings in D standard tuning by artists like Soundgarden and Rammstein; many classic grunge songs were recorded using this tuning standard as well as several hit records by these acts.
D standard is an ideal choice for creating melodies with intricate chord progressions, such as those found in Rammstein’s classic hit Du Hast. Heavy music can still incorporate melodic vocals with traditional German lyrics crafted by D standard.
This song’s somber tone is punctuated with sound clips of cheering crowds or galloping keyboards, yet never descends into depression. Many would enjoy learning this type of music – in fact, prog metal band Symphony X often employs D standard in most of their songs on 2020 album Cycle of Suffering; Michael Romeo’s phenomenal tapping skills really show in those pieces!
2. Endless Sacrifice by Dream Theater
Dream Theater have long been known to divide critics and fans. While they’ve long been recognized for their technical proficiency, Train of Thought saw them take things in a darker direction than ever before – with over-ten-minute songs such as its title track featuring thrashing guitar tones and crushing bass lines almost as heavy as John Petrucci’s vocals; not to mention killer riffs that will turn any hardcore metal fan crazy!
Cradle of Filth and Black Dahlia are two metal bands tuned to d standard tuning that you should check out – I highly suggest checking them all out; their songs are heavy. “Forest Whispers My Name” from CoF’s debut album stands out as an incredible example of this tuning as its song has some fantastically mystical pagan imagery that I think you’d enjoy hearing along with growling vocals and distortion-fuelled riffs – perfect for listening out for!
“Hate by Design” from Amorphis is another fantastic metal song with classic status. Driven by their drummer’s powerful drumming and an aggressive guitar solo, this tune also has some cool melodies to keep you listening – the only downside being its short duration but other songs on their album make up for this shortcoming; and don’t miss “Honor Thy Father”, their head banging number!
3. Sad But True by Metallica
One of the greatest songs ever written in metal, this iconic headbanger from one of heavy metal’s iconic bands demonstrates melodic riffing is also part of its genre. Perfect for practicing D standard or drop C guitar skills – guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
Death metal evolved out of thrash metal, and many bands found their style by combining elements from both genres. This often results in superfast, intense bands like Testament that perform spectacularly live; other old school thrash metal acts such as The Crown and Dew-Scented are great examples. Some bands focus more on the groovier side while others specialize in technical blackened death metal like Vader, Behemoth (which began with Satanica), Morbid Angel etc.
Death metal bands stand out for their incredible level of talent. Rehearsals often last weeks or months before finalized riffs are performed, creating music with almost machine-like quality; Nile and Psycroptic are both notable bands who show impressive abilities that make for amazing death metal music.
Death metal’s vocals typically play a secondary role, which may lead to some confusion among new listeners. While in rock, vocals take center stage, death metal relies more heavily on guitars and drums to produce its soundscape; especially notable are bands such as Gojira with their jaw-dropping “Silvera”, which showcases their technical sophistication while simultaneously exuding an eerie vibe.
4. Downfall by Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom gave it all in this final show recorded at Helsinki Ice Hall. And it shows. Fans will love owning this record while honoring Alexi Laiho’s contribution to metal music. Though some songs might seem similar, it’s difficult to criticise when they hit their stride. The opening track, “Warheart”, features an unorthodox arrangement with its tempos flitting between swift and slow, like someone playing chicken with knives in her arms. This album includes the foot-stomping melodies of ‘Silent Night, Bodom Night’ and ‘Downfall’ for party time tunes that stomp. There are also some black metal elements such as Dimmu Borgir-esque dissonance found in ‘Dead Embryonic Cells’ and a powerful riff in ‘Halo of Blood’ to complete its soundscape.
The second track on this album, ‘Forest Whispers My Name’ is an atmospheric yet melancholic piece with growling vocals, distortion-fueled riffs, and hyperactive drumming that features the band’s characteristic imagery of pagan mythologies and symbols.
The band often employs D-G-C-F-A-D tuning for their doom-laden style and “Downfall” is no exception. Featuring an organ led melody topped off with gothic-tinged guitars and an incredible solo by Laiho, this track will surely jolt listeners awake to the power of D standard tuning. When discussing death metal songs featuring this tuning standard, one cannot fail to mention Chuck Schuldiner and especially “Pull the Plug”, from their classic album Leprosy. This fast, heavy riff fest helped define death metal genre before its time with technical sophistication and melodic sensibility making it ahead of its time!
5. Pull the Plug by Death
Death metal music doesn’t get much more brutal than this track. Combining aggressive riffs with technical proficiency, this song stands out on any album with that name and is easily one of its most recognisable tracks. Notably complex melodies were also present compared to early death metal records.
Relapse records recently released a remastered version of this record featuring incredible production work. It represents an evolution for the group between their debut Scream Bloody Gore and later works. Frontman Chuck Schuldiner still manages to deliver some unnerving vocals while guitar playing is truly unparalleled on this masterpiece.
Tuning D standard guitars isn’t limited to just old death metal bands – many genre-defying modern metal groups use this tuning too! Swedish band Ghost, for instance, use their music with guitars tuned DGCFAD which gives their songs a uniquely haunted atmosphere – as seen on their Grammy Award-winning single “Cirice” from their 2015 album Meliora.
Chelsea Wolfe, a metalcore singer known for her genre-defying music that blends gothic rock, doom metal, and folk elements into her sound, employs this tuning on some tracks from her album Arise; for instance, check out “Crystal Mountain” or “Hate by Design” and you’ll hear her use it therein.