Gojira uses standard tuning to craft powerful riffs and melodic guitar solos that capture listeners with fluid riffs and melodic solos in anti-war song “Machine Gun”. Their popularity as an act is evident by how often their shows sell out venues worldwide.
Mastodon stands out among their peers with their ability to seamlessly switch from technically complex progressive metal to rock ‘n’ roll with ease, giving them a distinct fan following. Their Train of Thought album contains many songs like this chugging tune which showcases their sound – played using standard E tuning.
1. Death
If you’re in search of an accessible yet heavy metal song, this might be your solution. With its fast beat and catchy opening riff, this one offers great beginning practice in this genre. Additionally, this piece can serve as an ideal way to start out the day or provide much-needed comfort during an otherwise trying period.
Melanie Martinez has an amazing voice, and this song by Melanie Martinez showcases it perfectly. This haunting tune carries with it multiple meanings including death or the afterlife, depression or society’s obsession with death – making this an excellent tune to listen to when needing something to focus on while practicing guitar.
Trivium has long been an impressive presence on the modern metal scene. While they don’t often write songs in standard tuning, this one should definitely be checked out: starting off slow before progressing into an aggressive heavy song that will have you hitting those palm mutes hard! Trivium plays its signature style of metal music so if this style appeals to you then this song could serve as an invaluable stepping stone.
Metallica are another iconic metal band renowned for their use of standard tuning. This song by Metallica showcases their sound perfectly and was featured prominently in Stranger Things; young viewers especially took notice. Master of Puppets showcases James Hetfield’s aggressive downpicking and Kirk Hammett’s lightning fast speed!
2. Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is known for incorporating standard tuning on many of its albums. Their songs showcase heavy yet melodic compositions which demonstrate a great guitar player. “Procreation (of the Wicked)” by them is one of their heaviest songs to learn using standard tuning tuning.
Though this song lacks Death’s signature “Pull the Plug” riff, it still makes an impactful statement with its fast pace and deeply distorted guitar parts. While most death metal songs require drop D tuning to sound their fullest potential, this track makes an excellent introduction for beginners looking to learn heavy metal in standard tuning while providing advanced guitarists a sufficient challenge.
Many people mistakenly believe that metal music consists of nothing more than fast riffs and drum beats, however many metal bands can add emotional and melodic elements into their music as well. Amorphis is one of these bands who do so perfectly – this track from them features an easily learnable yet dramatic riff that will wow audiences at your live performance!
Metallica’s classic metal song can easily be learned in standard tuning tuning. The main riff is easy to play and provides an ideal foundation for learning other songs from their catalogue. Furthermore, this can provide you with an opportunity to practice using distortion pedals without distorting your tone as you play this timeless tune.
Metal legends Iron Maiden have only ever used drop D tuning on one song from their 1992 album If Eternity Should Fail. While most of their other tracks feature standard tuning, this track demonstrates their talent at mixing emotions and melody into their music.
3. Mastodon
Mastodon stands out in an otherwise melody-less genre by virtue of their exceptionally high melodic quotient. Their music features equal parts riff-driven and complex melodies; an example being their groundbreaking Once More ‘Round the Sun album, as well as 2011’s jagged jazz-inflected The Hunter release. Although the band have moved away from their sludge roots somewhat over time, they remain one of few creative metal acts who continue experimenting with open tunings that produce thicker, deeper tones for their sound.
D standard is an extremely popular tuning for death metal music, particularly doom subgenres of it. One band that frequently used this tuning was Children of Bodom, particularly on their 1999 album Hatebreeder with “Downfall”, an instrumental track featuring keyboard-led breakdown and Alexi Laiho’s melodic solo.
Neurosis uses D standard, as do Killswitch Engage and Sleeping With Sirens on their first two EPs and Baroness on later albums. Furthermore, the band FTISLAND utilizes this format, as do Pantera on “The Underground in America” and “Sandblasted Skin”, as well as Metallica in “Crazy Train.”
4. Chelsea Wolfe
Chelsea Wolfe’s latest release, Hiss Spun, marks a remarkable musical reinvention from this multi-talented artist. This unique mix fuses folk music with heavier subgenres such as drone metal and blackened folk. Additionally, its intense atmosphere is enhanced by haunting background noises.
If you’re new to standard tuning, this song provides an ideal introduction. Although more complex than others in this list due to more chord shapes needed for its accompaniment, its melodic riffs make this a suitable first choice when beginning standard tuning music.
If you prefer more traditional metal, check out Pantera’s classic song that utilizes D standard tuning for its power chords, “Osaka.” This tune offers an introduction to this specific tuning scheme, which can help get used to the different feel. D standard is typically associated with doom metal and certain subgenres of death metal bands but can also create powerful riffs across genres.
Gojira, the French death metal band known for their technical sophistication and brutality, utilizes D standard tuning brilliantly on their song Silvera. D standard tuning creates an earthy melancholic mood complemented by melodic guitar riffs – perfect for creating an anthemic song that you can belt along to or creating jaw-dropping sonic assault. Listen below.
5. CoF
Trivium was formed in Florida, and they’re one of the few modern metal bands who use standard tuning guitars for their music. A perfect example is their 2004 album Leviathan track “Blood and Thunder”, where guitars tuned to D standard create an unforgettable riff-roaring epic that includes powerful drumming and an unforgettable guitar solo that you simply must hear!
“One” from Demolition Hammer is another iconic metal song with standard tuning that employs it, telling a tale about World War I soldier who lost legs, arm and jawbone due to a landmine explosion – it is one of the most emotionally captivating pieces ever written and must-listens in metal music! Don’t miss it!
Megadeth utilizes standard tuning in many of their songs, particularly their more melodic ones. One such track from Dystopia that features this technique is “Poisonous Shadows,” beginning with a brooding acoustic intro before transitioning into a heavy and hard-edged lead guitar riff that will have you headbanging before long.
Check out “Cirice” by Swedish band Ghost for an example of using standard tuning to create an epic and dark atmosphere in music. Their fast riffs are also ideal for beginners looking to learn death metal; without complex chords to master they make learning much simpler! Plus their opening riff demonstrates how standard tuning makes any riff sound heavier!