Black Sabbath's 'Symptom of the Universe' voted greatest riff of all time

Love the song but more impressed with Ozzy's vocals than the guitar riff in this tune.

 

'Symptom of the Universe' - like posted by another - I love BS but can't recall this riff. But 'Sweet Leaf', 'Iron Man', 'Heaven & Hell' - I can recall them instantly!

 

Its a great riff. Considered by many to be the first thrash metal song. Its chugging style has certainly been endlessly imitated by popular bands that fall into that genre.

 

I've often heard that "Symptom Of The Universe" is this great seminal track for thrash metal. Which is probably why I don't like thrash metal.

 

The article leaves something to be desired, I'll say that much.
Symptom is a great song and I think it's a great riff, but....

IDK, as much as I don't care for "Smoke on the Water" as a whole, that riff seems pretty awesome.

 

The Onion: Unreleased Jimmy Page Guitar Riff To Be Retrieved From Secret Vault To Save Rock And Roll

When asked to comment on the possible dangers of using the riff, Sir Paul McCartney seemed surprised. "There's a secret vault to save rock and roll?" McCartney said. "This is the first I've heard of it."

 

If they're gonna choose ONE ..
.. might as well be this one !

 

"May God have mercy on our souls for what we are going to set loose upon the world," proclaimed Queen guitarist Brian May, dressed in druidic robes and bathed in the rising blue smoke of a nearby fog machine. "Will it save rock or destroy mankind? We have no way of knowing—yet we have no other choice."

 

It's not even Tony's best riff on that album!

 

Are they kidding? It's not even the best riff on Sabotage....

 

Anyone can write an article, no?

 

Off the top of my head I can remember the vocal melody, but not the riff.

 

Not for nothing, a fair amount of that era of players think Born Again with its excess production, throbbing low end, and sizzling highs, was a great template for the future sound of metal.

 

It's a pretty great one. I especially love the Speak of the Devil version.

 

Born Again is a masterpiece.

 

The riff itself is simple (E to Bflat basically) but it sounds so cool. I don't know if I wold call it the best riff of all time though.

 

Here's a cool track that samples one of the OTHER riffs from "Symptom Of The Universe." If you like the early sound of The Orb then you might like this. 2:35 if you can't chill for a spell.

 

It is universally agreed that Smoke on the Water is the most recognizable riff ever. I guess that also makes it the best one.

 

Love it. One of Sabbath’s crowning achievements.

 

This riff is very similar to 10 cc's "Silly love"

 

Nah...Stolen from Astrud Gilberto

 

It also sounds very similar to The Stooges' "Loose."

But then again the riff for "Symptom Of The Universe" seems very similar - chord-wise - to the intro of Pink Floyd's live version of "Astronomy Domine"! There's very little out there that's completely original.

 

It's not just the riff, but the whole song is pretty incredible, especially the ending. I remember a buddy of mine heard that ending for the first time and he said, "Listen to that!"

 

It's an iconic riff, for sure -- those of you who are Sabbath fans but can't recall it should be a little embarrassed, frankly -- but there are so many great Iommi riffs that I too would choose a different one. For me, it's "Children of the Grave." But again, he was the king of the metal riff. The article mentions "Symptom's" pioneering use of palm-muting, which has become a staple of thrash, black, death and nu-metal. So I guess it was influential. But it isn't as evil as Children of the Grave!