DIDDELY-DOW-OWWWN! Best guitar riff ever?

[iGavin]

What's yor favourite guitar solo/riff ever? Say the song and the band/singer who sings it, and the name of the guitarist who plays said awsome riff.

For me, it would have to be Tenacious D-The Metal, with Kyle Gass as the lead guitarist. It's just sick guitar playing all the way through.

Also like the one in Wishmaster by Nightwish. The guitar playing in that is pure skill, it sounds so hard to do. Emppu Vuorinen is their lead guitarist.

[Android]

So are you wanting the best guitar riff, or the best guitar solo? The difference is, a guitar riff is a catchy musical line the song is based around i.e. the main riff of Smoke on the Water.

The guitar solo on the other hand, is the part of a song near the end when the guitarist plays an original series of notes not played throughout the rest of the song.

[iGavin]

either. that's why i said riff and solo.

[fabz]

My favorite guitar riff of all time is "Mississippi Queen" by Mountain. The beginning is so awesome and then the actual verse is sweet too. I think the cowbell has something to do with it.

Best Guitar solo? That's a toughy.

My favorite metal guitar solo hands down is in "Battery" by Metallica. Kurt just destroys his bridge. Technical and emotional as well.

[Quadros]

Slash's solo in sweet child of mine is the best solo I've ever heard. Best riff is in Pimping the Funk (Draining the Blood) by Adequate Seven. It's AWESOME.

[Hats of!]

I don't really have any favorite riff. But my favorite solo is without doubt the ones on Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd.

[Rui]

Best solo: Johnny Greenwood's total annihilation of pop music's conventional structure in Radiohead's "Paranoid Android".

Best riff: Hmmm... I'm gonna go with Motorhead's Ace of Spades, for now, because I can't think of something better.

[Deflicted]

The most catchy for me is the recurring tune in Ironman by Black Sabbath. I'm not sure if that's what you meant , if not I apologise.

[Rui]

The most catchy for me is the recurring tune in Ironman by Black Sabbath. I'm not sure if that's what you meant , if not I apologise.

Oh lord yes!
Tony Iommi, king of the monumental riffs!

Virtually every song on those first 6 albums has a classic riff. But here's a little selection:

Black Sabbath (from s/t)
War Pigs (Paranoid)
Electric Funeral (Paranoid)
Iron Man (Paranoid)
Paranoid (Paranoid)
Sweet Leaf (Masters of Reality)
Wheels of Confusion (Vol 4)
Supernaut (Vol 4)
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath)
Symptom of the Universe (Sabotage)

Can't go wrong with any of them.

[Hickabod]

I keep finding myself drawn to the Riff from Devil in a Midnight Mass by Billy Talent, it's certainly not the best by far but it's my current favourite.

[Tempest]

The guitar riff from I Ran (So Far Away) by Flock of Seagulls is all sorts of awesome. :fmita: Simple yet catchy.

Second solo in War Pigs by Black Sabbath is my favorite solo. The one right before the end of the song.

[Idioteque]

Favorite Riff would have to be the guitar line to Bulls On Parade by Rage Against the Machine, it gets stuck in my head for days.

Favorite solo would have to be the solo to Paranoid Android, I don't think I've ever heard a more unconventional and creative solo in my life. Jonny Greenwood is god.

[Ice_Mel]

Guitar riff in Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Yeah, you know which I'm talking about.

Off the top of my head, one of the most badass solos I've heard is the solo for Walk by Pantera. Not most technical, or difficult. Just badass (R.I.P. Dimebag)

[Profane Methane]

Riff: War Inside My head - Suicidal Tendencies.
Thrash usually has the coolest riffs.

Solo: Freak Scene - Dinosaur Jr.
J Mascis is my favorite guitarist.

[SLjimbolian]

You guys gotta dig deep for the best stuff.

Riff: Symphony X -The Divine Wings of Tragedy
Solo: Toxik - Greed

[Shmuh]

Best solo: Johnny Greenwood's total annihilation of pop music's conventional structure in Radiohead's "Paranoid Android".

Just about to say this. Also, I think it's... Electioneering where Johnny Greenwood goes completely NUTS and has a different solo for the song everytime he plays it.

[Idioteque]

Just about to say this. Also, I think it's... Electioneering where Johnny Greenwood goes completely NUTS and has a different solo for the song everytime he plays it.

I've never heard Electioneering live, but I love that song.
You have any linkage? That sounds awesome.

[Dime]

Theres a couple opening riffs for me. One being 'The Trooper' by Iron Maiden. Two being 'Temptations Wings' and three is "Ghosts Along The Mississippi' both by Down.

[SODA]

I favorite solo will always be the one from Freebird.

That's by Lynyrd Skynyrd by the way, in case you suck at life that much.

[timbot]

I always liked the riff from Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love."
And the solo in "White Room" is pretty killer.

[History]

Mississippi Queen definately has a badass riff that you just have to turn up when it comes on, but my favorite is Can't You Hear Me Knocking by the Rolling Stones. My favorite solo is in Jimi Hendrix', Bold As Love.

[Random_Hero]

Carl's from the ATHF episode where he gets the wig.

[timbot]

Carl's from the ATHF episode where he gets the wig.

That's seriously what I thought this thread was gonna be about when I saw the title.

[February Stars]

I think anyone who's heard this riff would agree that it's pretty badass and catchy and deserves some sort of recognition.

CKY - 96 Quite Bitter Beings.

I'm personally no fan of CKY at all, but they have a pretty magestical riff in that tune. It's quite catchy. I find myself humming it a lot.

Anyway, for the solo, it really swings into many different directions, but to atleast name two or three, I'd say..

Bark At The Moon - Ozzy Osbourne (Jake E. Lee).
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd (David Gilmour)
Hangar 18 / Return to Hangar - Megadeth (Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman)

[Jallen]

Comfortably Numb is my favorite guitar solo.

Favorite guitar riff would probably be Lateralus by Tool. So many different time signatures.

[Rui]

Oh, another great great guitar solo:

Van Halen's "Eruption". the name says it all

[badumpbumpbump]

Riff: "Das Modell" covered by Rammstein
Solo: Phantom of The Opera (Iron Maiden)

[GreenCrows]

Black Dog by Led Zeppelin, played by Jimmy Page for riff. very fun to play, sounds awesome, great composition.
Moonage DayDream- David Bowie, played by Mick Ronson. This solo sounds way different from any other guitar solo I've heard.

[fabz]

Riff: "Das Modell" covered by Rammstein
Solo: Phantom of The Opera

I'm guessing you're talking about the Iron Maiden version? Because Andrew Lloyd Webber didn't write a sick guitar in that opera.

[Pelican Man]

For riff I'd probably have to say Fixation on the Darkness (the intro riff) by Killswitch Engage. It's my favourite riff, even though it's probably not the best out there, I'd say it's the best hardcore riff. Plus, KSE's pinches are mint.

For guitar solo, the clean solo in Mordecai by Between the Buried and Me is my current favourite, being that they're such a heavy band, yet quite competent musicians, as this solo proves, being a jazz-ish solo.

[TheHighwaySong]

One of the greatest riff's has to be the bass line to Jerry Was A Racecar Driver by Primus. Or DMV.

[Kenneh]

Favorite riff has to be from Sweet Child O Mine. That one's been stuck in my head for like, forever.

Favorite solo is pretty hard to pick.

[P0K3M0N_MA5T3R]

Theres too many to pick a favourite of all time but at the moment I love Sootsayer by Bucketheads riff, it's calm but catchy and I can actually play it on guitar (which is amazing since I'm shit.)
I also love the solo to Jordan by Buckethead (yes I've been listening to him a lot lately) just because of how mad it is, and because unlike fast solos by other bands (Dragonforce I'm looking at you) he can actually recreate it live almost as well as in the studio recorded version.

[Exodus]

I'd say the opening riff to orchestra of wolves by gallows. And as for solo I would say sweating bullets by megadeth.

[Iiro]

Here's a great solo:
Megadeth - Tornado of souls

[exetra]

Riff: Symphony X -The Divine Wings of Tragedy


Okay, and which riff out of the several that feature in this 20 odd minute song is your favourite? The riff after the verse that starts "The prophet cryyyyyyyyys" is a good one in paticular.

I'm really digging Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division right now (riff is played on bass too). Motherless Children by Eric Clapton is an all time favourite riff of mine too.

I'm going to be an asshole and say C-Town Smash by Squarepusher has my favourite solo. Bass solo's count, and it doesn't have to be rock music.

[SealPunter]

(One of my)Favorite Riff(s)- Ratatat's Seventeen Years
(guitarist I dunno, but it's like halfway through the song [1:05] and then listen, it is guitar)

Another would be Red Hot Chili Peppers' Under the Bridge

Favorite Solo- Muse's Knights of Cydonia

[HappinessMan]

Favorite Riff: Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses

Favorite Solo: Call of Ktulu By Metallica

[DieHard]

Favorite riff: Orion by Metallica

Favorite solo: Orion by Metallica

It's both James Hetfield playing most of the riffs and Kirk Hammett playing the solos, though Cliff Burton comes in and plays a bass solo halfway through the song.

[Pelican Man]

Favorite riff: Orion by Metallica

Favorite solo: Orion by Metallica

It's both James Hetfield playing most of the riffs and Kirk Hammett playing the solos, though Cliff Burton comes in and plays a bass solo halfway through the song.

Hetfield has first guitar solo, I believe.

[Tempest]

Despite this being a thread about guitars, I just thought I'd chime in that the solo from War Pigs is my favorite guitar solo, but my favorite solo of all time is.. well, an entire song. Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth) by Cliff Burton. Most epic solo ever, and on bass too.

[DieHard]

Hetfield has first guitar solo, I believe.

Ah, alright didn't know which one did it. Thanks.

[Shagg]

Favorite Solo: "I Could Have Lied" by Red Hot Chili Peppers; John Frusciante pulls out a rockin' solo on a ballad.

Favorite Riff: "Love Train" by Wolfmother; almost Zeppelin-esque, totally rocks.

Favorite Bass Line: "Give It Away" by (again) Red Hot Chili Peppers; simple bass line, but so powerful, memorable, and funky.

[Pelican Man]

Ah, alright didn't know which one did it. Thanks.

I also owe you thanks, as now I've started listening to Metallica again. And Burton has 2 bass solos in that song, the second one even having a bass harmony :fmita:. It's mad.

I remember in Year 11 we had to do solos for music, so I did the first half of Anesthesia (the second half doesn't sound as good without drums, and I wasn't allowed the support, both because it's meant to be a solo, and the teacher wanted to test me) and an arpeggio tapping thingy.

[DieHard]

I also owe you thanks, as now I've started listening to Metallica again. And Burton has 2 bass solos in that song, the second one even having a bass harmony :fmita:. It's mad.

I remember in Year 11 we had to do solos for music, so I did the first half of Anesthesia (the second half doesn't sound as good without drums, and I wasn't allowed the support, both because it's meant to be a solo, and the teacher wanted to test me) and an arpeggio tapping thingy.

Cliff uses so much distortion on his bass, I can barley tell when it's him or a guitar playing. But I do have to mention Anesthesia is one of the best bass solo's I have heard ever.

[Android]

Best Solo would have to be Black Napkins by Frank Zappa.

[Pelican Man]

Cliff uses so much distortion on his bass, I can barley tell when it's him or a guitar playing. But I do have to mention Anesthesia is one of the best bass solo's I have heard ever.

Yeah, the second bass solo in Orion sounds too much like a guitar for my liking, but the solo itself is mad. After the first bass solo, there's a guitar solo, then the second bass solo comes in at 06:35. Harmony at 6:45.

[OddKid506]

Favourite Riff: Laid to Rest by Lamb of God. Immense badassness and it's extremely hard to sit still when I hear that song!

Favourite Solo: Cemetary Gates by Pantera. No matter how hard I try, I just can't get a Dimebag solo to sound like a Dimebag solo. That man had talent!

[JonC]

Since I'm listening to Zeppelin, (like I am most of the time nowadays; Song Remains the Same album, ftw) the best riff, I'm going to say is, either Rain Song(if you want to consider it a riff), Heartbreaker, Whole Lotta Love, Song Remains the Same, Misty Mountain Hop, Black Dog, Rock and Roll, and others. It's really hard to say.

For solo...I'm going to have to think on it. That's a difficult one. When it comes to Zeppelin.

But I will agree with the majority of you, the solos you all listed are great too. Floyd's, Bowie's, etc.

[Boof]

As for riffs, i cant believe there hasnt been ONE mention of Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas. Not necessarily my favourite riff, but still deserves a mention.

My actual favourite riff/solo would change everyday, but if i had to pick, i'd probably say Suck My Kiss by Red Hot Chili Peppers, or a couple of Rage Against The Machine songs.

[JonC]

Carry On My Wayward song is an alright song, it just gets on my nerves for some reason. Though, catchy and such nonetheless.

[Knight of Cydonia]

My favorite Riff easily has to be Plug in baby by Muse. That start up is crazy.

[badapplez]

Favourite Solo: 'Freebird' by Lynyrd Skynyrd, it has to be one of the best. It has such an enigma, it's like a foresight into the future. It's amazing.

Favourite Riff: Probably would have to be 'Layla' by Derek And The Dominos. You can almost hear the emotion in it, and especially in Eric Clapton when he sings.

[TheHighwaySong]

Favourite Solo: 'Freebird' by Lynyrd Skynyrd, it has to be one of the best. It has such an enigma, it's like a foresight into the future. It's amazing.

Which of like the 10 solos did you like the most? :ahe:

[Iiro]

Cliff uses so much distortion on his bass, I can barley tell when it's him or a guitar playing. But I do have to mention Anesthesia is one of the best bass solo's I have heard ever.
You must have not heard many bass solos.

[spazzy7]

My favorite riff right now has to be Day Tripper by The Beatles. Its just, well, fun. And catchy.

[Hats of!]

Riff? Money by Pink Floyd. Both for the Bass and Guitar. It's more complex that Smoke on the Water and still very simple.

Solo? Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd. DAVID GILMOUR IS A GUITAR HERO (that's why I never ever will play Guitar Hero, lack of the Floyd and prog).

[the problem with society]

favourite riff- raining blood by slayer no idea who plays it
but all the way to the end it flows perfectly
except the solo

favourite solo- surfing with the alien-joe satriani
just go listen to it

USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/bankamp/)
Reason: Please, capitalize and punctuate.

[elsunchips]

Riff: Stain of Mind - Slayer

Solo: Cliffs of Dover - Eric Johnson

[Torrance]

The riff from Big Gun, a rare-ish AC/DC song is so good, it gets you pumped to go and fight. Guitarist Angus Young. \m/o.o\m/
For guitar solo...I'd have to say the beginning of Thunderstruck also by Angus. Can you play that fast?

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

The main riff from Master Of Puppets. If you don't know the band/guitarists who perform this song, then I don't know you.
Can't think of a solo right now.

[Ventric]

My favourite song riff would have to be from the song You're a Woman, I'm a Machine by Death From Above 1979. Albeit it's a bass riff seeing as they never employed a guitarist for the band, it's totally sick. Download. Play. Orgasm.

My favourite solo would have to be from the song Cliffs Of Dover by Eric Johnson (seeings as it's an entire solo unto itself) Either that or Jimi Hendrix's Star Spangled Banner solo at Woodstock '69. That my friends, is a real solo.

[Bulldog19892]

I'm definatly a huge Radiohead fan (seems like people mention them a lot here) so I love the paranoid android solo too. But because of sheer sentimental value, and epicosity, my best solo goes to Stairway to Heaven. Arguably one of the greatest moments in rock history.

Best riff goes to Smells Like Teen Spirit. The riff heard round the world.

[DieHard]

The main riff from Master Of Puppets. If you don't know the band/guitarists who perform this song, then I don't know you.
Can't think of a solo right now.

It's called Google, also the band is Metallica and the guitarist are Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield.

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

It's called Google, also the band is Metallica and the guitarist are Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield.

I know this and have known this for years. I was being a smartarse and saying other people should know who it's by.

[DieHard]

I know this and have known this for years. I was being a smartarse and saying other people should know who it's by.

Oh whoops, I read it wrong.

[Sirnogbert]

At the moment the coolest riff for me is the guitar line in Night Diving by Thrice. It's quite simple, yet fits in so well with the song and is incredibly powerful. On almost the complete opposite of the spectrum, I'm also digging Shatter the Empyrean by Anaal Nathrakh.

[MaxAlcolo]

This is way too hard, I can't just name one.

Riffs: Metallica - Creeping Death. The riff during the bridge is just amazing. It's even better live with the whole "Die ! Die ! Die !" thing going on.
Slayer - Dead Skin Mask. This is a dual intro riff by Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman. It's very heavy and creates a whole creepy atmosphere for the song.

Solos: Judast Priest - Heavy Metal. The intro solo in that song captured my attention right away.
Black Sabbath - N.I.B. This one is a bass solo. I just love how it sounds, right at the beginning. Great way to start a song.

[reigninblood666]

BEst riff would either be Raining Blood by Slayer or Master Of Puppets by Metallica

Solo would be Hangar 18

[timbot]

I hope nobody mentioned this already, but another great riff just came to me. "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum. One of those that everybody knows almost instantly.

[HipHipHooray]

Too many to pick from.
Riff: Stockholm Syndrome by Muse or A Song For The Deaf - Queens of the Stone Age
Solo: Mercury Blues - Alan Jackson or Gallows Pole - Led Zeppelin.

Gallows Pole isn't exactly amazingly technical, but it sounds really good.

[Ji-Ji-Ji-Jimmy]

Solo = Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd - Garry Rossington/Allen Collins

Riff = Back in Black by AC/DC - Angus Young

[cabhats]

The solo in November Rain right near the end is my fav. must learn that sometime...

The riff from black dog by Led Zeppelin. I can play that on guitar over and over and it never gets boring. I can listen to black dog over and over again and not get bored with it. It just keeps on being awesome.

[Pancakes]

Riff - beginning of Master of Puppets by Metallica
Solo - Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria. Saw it live and it was extended, more of a duel, had playing behind the head from both guys, and playing with the teeth. It is not the hardest solo, but it was the most entertaining one I have ever seen.

[tunacake]

Tony Iommi is the king of the riff. No contest. I could never pick a favorite.

Solos are tough. I love David Gilmour's though, so much emotion.

[lobster bisque anyone?]

Riff: Walk by Pantera
Solo: Peace Sells by Megadeth

[hzac]

Your all wrong.

Best riff ever: Dire Straits • Money for nothing (opening riff when it kicks in is so epic)

Dont really have a best solo.

EDIT: Most of you dont even listen to real music. The only way you know about these riffs and solos is because of guitar hero. Thats really really sad.

[Quadros]

Your all wrong.

Best riff ever: Dire Straits

I stopped reading there. Can't really mention 'Dire Straits' and 'real music' in the same post.

[hzac]

I dont normally listen to Dire Straits. But that riff sounds awesome. Gives off an amazing atmosphere. And that is what riff making/writing is about.

Also my edit on that post make a very vaild point. So shut up Quadros :)

[cabhats]

I stopped reading there. Can't really mention 'Dire Straits' and 'real music' in the same post.

Sultans? walk of life? brothers in arms? what it is?

I'll admit that the majority of Mark Knopflers compositions were for tv shows and stuff but he has some pretty damn good songs.

[JonC]

I stopped reading there. Can't really mention 'Dire Straits' and 'real music' in the same post.

If this was spame you would have said, "OH SHI-" I can seriously see that.

The only song I like from Dire Straits is Money for Nothing, in fact thats the most famous song they have, am I correct? Actually, its the only song I've heard from them as far as I know.

And Hzac how can you say that about us in regards to Guitar Hero? I hope you don't listen to a majority of today's music, because, to be frank, I don't consider that, "real music", but then again, wahts one to say what is 'real music' and what isn't. Almost a double edged sword, unless you want to start discussing music theory and other things.

[Pelican Man]

The only song I like from Dire Straits is Money for Nothing, in fact thats the most famous song they have, am I correct? Actually, its the only song I've heard from them as far as I know.

I'd say Sultans of Swing is their most popular, but Money for Nothing is definitely up there.

And Hzac how can you say that about us in regards to Guitar Hero? I hope you don't listen to a majority of today's music, because, to be frank, I don't consider that, "real music", but then again, wahts one to say what is 'real music' and what isn't. Almost a double edged sword, unless you want to start discussing music theory and other things.

He probably said that because a lot of songs/bands mentioned here are showcased in Guitar Hero. Heck, I know I only started listening to Incubus after playing "Stellar" on GH1.

[cabhats]

There seems to be a sever lack of people who know more than one song by dire straits here....

[Demoir]

Sultans of Swing is a better song than Money for Nothing but Money for Nothing has a better riff. The only other song by Dire Straits I like is Romeo and Juliet...even though I shouldn't.

[JonC]

Maybe I should check out the Sultans of Swing song, I may have heard it before and don't realize it.

[Pingu]

I'm pretty sure most people would have heard Sultans of Swing even if they don't realise it at the time. Well worth checking out.
Many people would also have heard Walk of Life, it has a catchy piano/keyboard intro.
Industrial Disease, Heavy Fuel, Brothers in Arms......

There's lots of Dire Straits.

[CharlieH]

I'm amazed that The Metal by Tenacious D has only been mentioned once in this entire thread. So fucking catchy.

[thatswhatyourmomsaid]

I don't know about guitar riffs, but I've got a few bass lines that are AWESOME

"Juicebox" - The Strokes
"My Bible Is A Scrapbook" - Kisschasy
"Hitchin' A Ride" - Green Day
"In Regards To Myself" - Underoath (I usually don't like Underoath but this is just the COOLEST bass line EVER, even if you don't listen to any of the others, listen to this!)

An actual guitar riff (and probably my favourite song of all time):
"World War Me" - From First to Last

A really cool guitar solo is right at the end of "Mothersound" by From First to Last. It just plays a really cool bit of guitar for like 5 seconds, then switches to another completely different guitar bit for another 5 seconds, then another one and another etc.
Really cool

[alo81]

Intro Riff to Paschendale by Iron Maiden

Right now im into the solo from Little Sister by Queens of the Stoneage
Just really cool catchy sound.

[Kenneh]

Oh man I totally forgot. The chorus riff from More than a Feeling by Boston is just amazing, even if it was just a 4 chord riff.

[Shmuh]

Idioteque:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=AD8f5h4Zvxw

This is me posting this 2 months later. I'm not lazy AT ALL.

[Tastychainsaws]

Favorite Riff? I'd have to say Blackened by Metallica, right after "BLACKENED!" and it goes all quite then that epic riff comes up.

Favorite Solo? The short but sweet one in Frayed ends of sanity also by Metallica.

[Lespaulover]

My favorite solo (if it even counts as a solo since it's an entire song) would have to be Eruption by Van Halen.

I'm not really sure about my favorite riff. Passage to Bangkok by Rush has some pretty sweet guitar work in it.

EDIT: I just thought of my favorite riff. About two minutes into Xanadu by Rush, such an epic sounding riff is played.

[SuperTaisho]

"Emerald" by Thin Lizzy has a pretty sick riff. I've only heard the live version, don't know if they play it faster or anything but it definitely rocks :D

[Christopher-T]

Dire straits are very good, in my opinnion... Even though alot of their songs is a little boring.. Yet some catchy riffs =)

My Favourite riff have to be
In Flames - December Flower (Starting 00.29 secs into the song, and allmost throughout the whole song)
This one gets me everytime... It's even better than the solo =D
Think it's Glenn (Ljungström) and Jesper (Strömblad) creating magic here =).... If they ever played it live it would be Björn (Gelotte) and Jesper =P


My Favourite solo... Easy one.
In Flames - The Jester Race
The song is quite boring, but that solo... it's so fuckign insane it allmost makes me cry sometimes =D...
Same as above, Glenn, Jesper and Björn =D

Dark Tranquillity - Cathode Ray Sunshine
The riffs in here is allso pure ownage (Is ownage a word?, if not i'll will say catchy)

Could mention alot of good soloes and riffs, but don't wanna spam the forum =D...

[blacksurge]

Favorite riff: the one that starts at about :50 on Supermassive Black Hole by Muse.

Favorite solo: The crazy one in The Dark Trail by Fall of Troy

[Greger]

Im amazed that you have mentioned Dire Straits several times in a best guitar riff / solo thread, yet never mentioned their best (and, well almost the best song in all of mankind) song, Brothers in Arms.

It's fucking awesome!
I think that one goes for my favourite riff and solo, altough it doesnt really have a riff ;)

Edit ; Oops, looks like someone did mention it, my fault sorry!

[Hats of!]

I'm starting to love the riff for Hawkwinds Urban Guerilla.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXDbLXwQCzo

Strange how space-prog can sound so punkish.

[Zebbs]

Best riff: You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire - QOTSA
(Also: Disease - Matchbox 20)

Best solo: Up In Arms - Foo Fighters.

[sly939]

Definitely the best riff in my opinion would have to be the one from Heartbreaker, by Led Zeppelin. The guitarist is Jimmy Page, and it's simple, but really cool sounding.

Favourite solo, that's a hard one. But it is definitely the one from White Room, by Cream, guitarist Eric Clapton. Also, the riff from the beginning of that kicks ass.

[Idioteque]

Idioteque:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=AD8f5h4Zvxw

This is me posting this 2 months later. I'm not lazy AT ALL.

:lol: Fucking awesome solo.
Also: Brain Stew-Green Day
Give it Away- Red Hot Chili Peppers
No One Knows-Queens of the Stone Age
Knives Out-Radiohead

[badumpbumpbump]

Towards Dead End- Children of Bodom
and pretty much all of their other songs.

[Alcoholic]

Don't know that you can actually finger "the best", but an incredible (and unfortunately, relatively unknown) little hook would be the intro to Deep Purple's "You Fool No One".
Early hard-rock blows my mind.....and Blackmore throwing a little funk in there just tops it right off.

And anything Eddie Van Halen.....yes, even with Hagar.

The slide intro from Zeppelin's "Celebration Day"

Pretty slick work early in the verses of KISS' "Black Diamond", too.
Geez, I could go forever with this.

Last one, 'cause I'm a Beatles' die-hard: Harrison's opening chop from "Drive My Car". Yes, please.

[paulm]

Dire Straits are brilliant, in my opinion, and one of my favourite riffs from them that hasn't been mentioned is "Love Over Gold" - that song is legendary, the intro is technical but flows so smoothly, Knopfler at his best.

I can't name all time favourites but here's what came up when i read through your posts!
riffs:
- plug in baby, by Muse, most definitely a favourite
- the bass riff in 'brainiac' by Chevelle - i love it, i dont care what you think!
- Please let me get what i want - Deftones .. gives me chills. cover by muse also brilliant
- Korn - the intro bit to 'blind'.. i saw this one live and it blew my mind. love lots of Korn.
- Bulletproof Cupid by Placebo - my favourite instrumental song
solos:
- "One" by metallica... nufsaid
- Like a Stone by audioslave - i love it!
- "Sixpounder", Children of Bodom. This song i use to get other crappy songs out of my head

lots more including pink floyd and ozzy osbourne but too much to list :p

[Soul.Xero]

i personally love the solo from disturbed's inside the fire, and the riff from ride the lightning - metallica, but again, thats just whats in my head right now, im sure there are plenty others, just cant think right now

[Fischante]

Every single Led Zeppelin song has an amazing riff,so I won't even start naming.

Oh lord yes!
Tony Iommi, king of the monumental riffs!

Virtually every song on those first 6 albums has a classic riff. But here's a little selection:

Black Sabbath (from s/t)
War Pigs (Paranoid)
Electric Funeral (Paranoid)
Iron Man (Paranoid)
Paranoid (Paranoid)
Sweet Leaf (Masters of Reality)
Wheels of Confusion (Vol 4)
Supernaut (Vol 4)
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath)
Symptom of the Universe (Sabotage)

Can't go wrong with any of them.

:O
you forgot Sabbra Cadabra!