Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal Series: the new limited range strips the Soloist, Rhoads and Kelly down with a single Fishman bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose and black finishes as standard
Guitars Jackson unveils stripped down single-pickup shred classics in ltd edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
Scott Ian of Anthrax introduces his new X Series signature King V in black with gold hardware, and the original Jackson logo on the headstock.
Guitars Jackson gives the Scott Ian King V a classy makeover and puts an old school logo on the headstock
Atlas DSP - Your Final Steps
Plugins “Bound to capture djent and thall-loving audiences because of the fine balance of brutality, customization, and ease-of-use”: Atlas DSP – Your Last Steps Review review
Spira S-450 TPP
Electric Guitars "Up there as one of the better value for money metal guitars that you can currently buy": Spira S-450 TPP review
Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst: the all-new high-performance S-style from the GIbson-owned shred brand is a grown-up looking S-style.
Electric Guitars “It’s as comfortable as a guitar can”: Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst review
The Fender Richie Kotzen Stratocaster is made in Japan and features a contoured ash body with a stunning figured maple top, and comes with DiMarzio pickups and Gotoh tuners.
Artists Fender gives Richie Kotzen’s figured-maple topped MIJ signature Strat a global release
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Sparkle Jet FT
Electric Guitars "This is a guitar that proves affordability can still bring looks that stun": Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Sparkle Jet FT review
  1. Guitars

Total Guitar Reader Awards 2014: best riff

News
By Total Guitar ( Total Guitar ) published 24 December 2014

The licks of last year

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Riffs, like all musical artefacts, are objective things. That's why, when it came to picking the year's best, we asked you guys to vote for a winner - and the result might surprise you. Here, without further ado, we present the year's nine best riffs - as chosen by you...

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
The Black Keys - Turn Blue

The Black Keys - Turn Blue

It's been another stand-out year for the duo from Akron, Ohio.

Turn Blue has proved to be one of their most diverse and critically divisive records yet, but that's not stopped it from hitting the number one spot in multiple countries.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Machine Head - Beneath The Silt

Machine Head - Beneath The Silt

The first album to feature new bassist Jared MacEachern, Bloodstone & Diamonds, certainly doesn't lack bottom-end.

The record sees Flynn and co in experimental mode, but Beneath The Silt's monstrous opening riff is vintage headbanger material.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Rival Sons - Electric Man

Rival Sons - Electric Man

Scott Holiday has always had an ear for an astonishing riff, it's what first attracted us to the band back in 2011, but he's outdone himself on 2014's Great Western Valkyrie.

Electric Man combines all the things we love about his playing - the killer guitar line, fuzz tones and outrageous crunch.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Jack White - Lazaretto

Jack White - Lazaretto

Has any player developed a more recognisable style and riff catalogue since the turn of millenium?

Lazaretto sees the blues-loving guitarist draw on some psych and funk influences to craft another outrageously simple, but incredibly infectious ear-worm.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Steel Panther - Gloryhole

Steel Panther - Gloryhole

We're not sure that anyone expected Steel Panther to last four minutes, much less four albums and wind-up headlining Wembley Arena.

More fool the doubters, because they're still making us laugh and still pounding out whirling hair metal riffs, of which Gloryhole is a fine example.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Royal Blood - Little Monster

Royal Blood - Little Monster

In 2014, Brighton's Royal Blood were the band that pried rock music from the tired grasp of ageing monoliths and put it back in the hands of the youth.

They've only got one album under their belt, but Mike Kerr has an intimidating bag of riffs and Little Monster is the, err, biggest...

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Mastodon - The Motherload

Mastodon - The Motherload

The video might have got them in hot water with certain sectors of the press - does aping objectification equal objectification? Probably - but that aside Mastodon's The Motherload sits up there with their finest creations.

You guys obviously agree, because you've voted it into the top three with some margin.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Slash - Withered Delilah

Slash - Withered Delilah

Slash's third solo record (or second with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, depending on your view point), World On Fire, once again steam-rolled its way into the hearts and radios of rockers everywhere.

Withered Delilah featured the classic Slash tropes and jammed them into a bouncing descending riff that's as much fun to listen to as it is to play.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Slipknot - The Negative One

Slipknot - The Negative One

The return of Iowa's finest following the passing of founding member Paul Gray was always going to be a raw one and .5: The Gray Chapter certainly lived up to that promise.

It's absolutely encapsulated in the The Negative One's riff onslaught. From the dizzying, demonic opener to the powerful chorus slides, it's Slipknot and their thrilling best.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Social Links Navigation

Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.

Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.

Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.

Subscribe: http://bit.ly/totalguitar

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal Series: the new limited range strips the Soloist, Rhoads and Kelly down with a single Fishman bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose and black finishes as standard
Jackson unveils stripped down single-pickup shred classics in ltd edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
Scott Ian of Anthrax introduces his new X Series signature King V in black with gold hardware, and the original Jackson logo on the headstock.
Jackson gives the Scott Ian King V a classy makeover and puts an old school logo on the headstock
Atlas DSP - Your Final Steps
“Bound to capture djent and thall-loving audiences because of the fine balance of brutality, customization, and ease-of-use”: Atlas DSP – Your Last Steps Review review
Spira S-450 TPP
"Up there as one of the better value for money metal guitars that you can currently buy": Spira S-450 TPP review
Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst: the all-new high-performance S-style from the GIbson-owned shred brand is a grown-up looking S-style.
“It’s as comfortable as a guitar can”: Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst review
The Fender Richie Kotzen Stratocaster is made in Japan and features a contoured ash body with a stunning figured maple top, and comes with DiMarzio pickups and Gotoh tuners.
Fender gives Richie Kotzen’s figured-maple topped MIJ signature Strat a global release
Latest in Guitars
Atlas DSP - Your Final Steps
“Bound to capture djent and thall-loving audiences because of the fine balance of brutality, customization, and ease-of-use”: Atlas DSP – Your Last Steps Review review
[Left] Richie Faulkner plays his custom Les Paul Custom while Rob Halford looks on; [right] Late-stage Ozzy-era Sabbath the first time around, with Ozzy cheering on guitarist Tony Iommi
Judas Priest salute the OG metal gods with a cover of Black Sabbath's War Pigs
Fender Chris Shiflett Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe
Meet the guitarist who’s worked his dad’s ashes into his Telecaster
MXR MB301 Bass Synth: the six-knob pedal is pictured in use against a petrol-blue background.
“Thunderous sub-octave, expressive envelope, and lush modulation effects with killer tracking and sustain”: MXR unveils the MB301 Bass Synth – instant funk for your pedalboard
Liam and Noel Gallagher in 1994
The Oasis song Liam hated because it was 'reggae': "I remember Our Kid saying 'Why are you writing reggae songs?' And I was like, there speaks a man that has never heard reggae"
Thin Lizzy live in 1978, Brian Robertson in white, playing his Les Paul, Phil Lynott in the middle on bass and vocals, and Scott Gorham in red trousers and an open blue shirt playing a tomato burst Les Paul
Scott Gorham recalls Thin Lizzy’s close shave when they nearly split over Brian Robertson’s beard
Latest in News
[Left] Richie Faulkner plays his custom Les Paul Custom while Rob Halford looks on; [right] Late-stage Ozzy-era Sabbath the first time around, with Ozzy cheering on guitarist Tony Iommi
Judas Priest salute the OG metal gods with a cover of Black Sabbath's War Pigs
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters mark their 30th anniversary with a new song
Doja Cat
"I could not sing”: Doja Cat says that she now knows how to use her voice “as an instrument”
Fender Chris Shiflett Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe
Meet the guitarist who’s worked his dad’s ashes into his Telecaster
MXR MB301 Bass Synth: the six-knob pedal is pictured in use against a petrol-blue background.
“Thunderous sub-octave, expressive envelope, and lush modulation effects with killer tracking and sustain”: MXR unveils the MB301 Bass Synth – instant funk for your pedalboard
Future Sound Awards
“The award for best AI song goes to…”: The Future Sound Awards are new music awards for AI music

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...