What Makes This Dissection 'The Somberlain' Riff So Incredible?

Chapters:
0:00 - Riff Playthrough
0:21 - Black Metal Music Theory
0:41 - E Minor Triad
1:40 - Movement to G# Minor (Chromatic Mediant)
2:19 - Changing Keys?
2:33 - An Interesting Detail (Adding a 2nd)
3:45 - G# Minor add9, back to E Minor
4:10 - Back to G# Minor With Melodic Variation
4:50 - Implying a Chord Progression
5:00 - An Important Commonality
5:22 - A Significant Note
6:21 - Conclusion

In today's video, I break down the music theory behind this iconic black metal riff (and how to play it) from "The Somberlain" by Dissection. These are concepts that can be applied to your own riffwriting and songwriting. Even if you don't play guitar, as a fan of black metal music there are still some cool insights into why the music sounds the way it does! I'm sure all of you Dissection fans will enjoy it!

There is some advanced music theory mentioned in the video, as well as text slides that go into greater detail about what I'm discussing. Feel free to pause the video and revisit any sections that you need to. Don't hesitate to leave a comment regarding anything I discussed and to let me know what Dissection riff I should break down next!

Links:

[kriegsruf]

Very informative and easy to understand. Keep it up!

[vladtepes]

Many bands are technically proficient but can't write a memorable song to save their lives. Songwriting ability is key.

[lordlucifer]

Awesome, liked and subbed....keep up the good work dude.

[randucci]

Playing Dissection while repping Absu?! Subscribed.

[RavenRedwood]

Check out concert pianist Lilian Liu's interpretation of the somberlain. Her stuff is fantastic. 🔥

[ΚΕΡΒΕΡΟΣ-ηδ]

Great Video ! You should analize the song REINKAOS 🔥🔥🔥

[profanepropane]

if you're interested into doing a song breakdown, I'd like to have a "dissection" of at the gates' debut and/or Far Away From The Sun. Any song you find interesting I'd be happy with.

[doggishbeef]

its crazy that jon was only 17 when the somberlain was recorded

[PEGGLORE]

Hey, check out the guitar solo from Brian Eno - Baby's On Fire. See if you can play any of it. Most insane guitar solo recorded. Don't think it's played in any key, so is not possible.