Rephonic
Artwork for Riff Worship
Heavy Metal Music
Heavy Metal
Ghost
Cradle Of Filth
Converge
Celestial Album
Petitioning the Empty Sky
In Solitude
Behemoth
ISIS
Dead Kennedys
Post-Metal
Job For A Cowboy
Tobias Forge
Black Metal
Midian
Sister
Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables
Opus Eponymous
These Arms Are Snakes

The riff is the foundation of heavy music, evolving over several decades and styles. Many of our favorite songs started with a single idea and guitar in hand. Anyone can write a riff, but what makes a good riff? Each week, riff disciples Austin Paulson, Dylan Adams, & Justin Swindle attempt to answer this question by discussing their favorite riffs, how they came to be, and why we still worship th... more

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Artwork for Riff Worship

Latest Episodes

2025 was an incredible year for heavy music. In this episode, we're breaking down some of our top albums of the year (in no particular) across heavy metal, hardcore, and more!

We also take a look back at our favorite Riff Worship moments of 2025, s... more

During their volatile four-year existence, NYC’s Born Against played over 200 shows across North America and Europe, released several splits and LPs, and managed to alienate just about everyone in the DIY hardcore scene.

In our final episode of 2025... more

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Before "metalcore" became a buzzword, Earth Crisis was already bridging the gap between the raw energy of New York Hardcore with the technical precision of metal. Their sound wasn’t just a sonic shift, but a platform to deliver an uncompromising mess... more

YouTube

Having traversed the realms of grindcore, death metal, and progressive experimentation, English pioneers Carcass sought to refine their sound into something far more unprecedented on their 4th album.

Featuring songs such as “Embodiment,” “No Love Lo... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Jack McBride
Guitarist of Bandit and Grindcore enthusiast
Bandit
Episode: #132 - Maruta - Forward Into Regression w/ Jack McBride (Bandit)
Liz Walshak
Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, riffer, lyricist, and educator
Glacier
Episode: #131 - Mastodon - Blood Mountain w/ Liz Walshak (Glacier, SEA)
Dan Thomson
Guitarist and vocalist of Low Heaven
Low Heaven
Episode: #129 - Cave In - Until Your Heart Stops w/ Dan Thomson (lowheaven)
Michael Mason
Member of Cult Leader, guitarist
Cult Leader
Episode: #128 - Cult Leader - Lightless Walk w/ Michael Mason and Sam Richards (Cult Leader)
Sam Richards
Member of Cult Leader, bassist
Cult Leader
Episode: #128 - Cult Leader - Lightless Walk w/ Michael Mason and Sam Richards (Cult Leader)
John Hoffman
Vocalist and lyricist of Stomach and Weekend Nachos
Sifting Press, Hibernation Release
Episode: #127 - Electric Wizard - Dopethrone w/ John Hoffman (STOMACH, Weekend Nachos) and David Stepanavicius (Atræ Bilis)
Matt Graham
Special guest and long-time fan of Between the Buried and Me
Episode: #126 - Between the Buried and Me - Alaska
Christopher Terry
Vocalist of the Arkansas metal band Wake
Wake
Episode: #124 - KISS - Love Gun w/ Christopher Terry (Rwake)
Owen Morawitz
Podcast host, writer, and academic scholar with works featured in various music publications.
The Pitch of Discontent
Episode: #118 - Unearth - III: In The Eyes Of Fire w/ Owen Morawitz (The Pitch of Discontent)

Hosts

Austin Paulson
Host and heavy music fan, involved in discussions on riff origins and the emotional journey behind music.
Dylan Adams
Co-host and riff worshipper involved in analyzing musical elements within heavy music.
Justin Swindle
Co-host and guitar enthusiast, discussing heavy metal albums and their significance.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 44 ratings
  • Needs sound clips

    You need to play at least 20 seconds of whatever song you're talking about, it's frustrating hearing people talk about a song and not play it. Many podcasts do this so I know it's not prohibitively hard to do. It would make the show much better. The Aussie sounds like a muppet, visit an EMT.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Lucifersmile666999666
    United States25 days ago
  • Perfect music discussion!

    Just discovered this show, and I’m kicking myself for not tuning in sooner. I found it through the High on Fire - Death is this Communion episode. HoF is one of my favorite bands, and the discussion was absolutely perfect. Engaging, well-researched and genuinely knowledgeable I was hooked. Listening to the ISIS - Celestial episode now (thank you for giving props to a great underrated band like ISIS. I’ve subscribed and can’t wait to hear new episode and catch up on a bunch of old ones.

    Episode ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jon Pacella
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners commend the podcast for its well-researched and engaging discussions, appreciating the deep dives into the subject of riffs.
Many reviews highlight the hosts' genuine passion for music, making the episodes feel relatable and insightful.
Audience members often express excitement over the variety of guests and the stories shared, enhancing their listening experience.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#129 - Cave In - Until Your Heart Stops w/ Dan Thomson (lowheaven)
Q: What do you gravitate towards in your music writing?
A strong feeling or vibe that resonates with me guides my writing, often feeling like a gut instinct.
#129 - Cave In - Until Your Heart Stops w/ Dan Thomson (lowheaven)
Q: What does it feel like to finally have the debut record out?
It's nerve-wracking but it's rewarding and the overwhelming response has been a great comfort after years of work.
#124 - KISS - Love Gun w/ Christopher Terry (Rwake)
Q: Where did you first discover Kiss?
I knew about them because they were bigger than life, with stories of Gene Simmons jumping into the crowd.
#124 - KISS - Love Gun w/ Christopher Terry (Rwake)
Q: How's the response been since the album came out?
Really good. People say nice things about the coolest little parts of the album that we really like.
#115 - Trevor de Brauw (Pelican, RLYR, Chord)
Q: What makes a riff?
There needs to be a sense of familiarity where it doesn't sound exactly like something that's already happened, but it does things that you recognize from other pieces of music.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Riff Worship

What is Riff Worship about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A captivating exploration of the significance of riffs within heavy music, focusing on how they have evolved over the years and contributed to iconic songs. Engaging discussions lead listeners through personal and band anecdotes that highlight the creativity and emotion behind each riff. Episodes often feature insights on various heavy music genres, their historical context, and interviews with industry experts and musicians, providing a deep dive into the intricate world beyond just the sound of the guitars. This show is likely to appeal to fans of heavy music who seek a richer understanding of what makes riffs memorable and impactful.

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How many listeners does Riff Worship get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Riff Worship?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Riff Worship:

1. Stuff You Should Know
2. Last Podcast On The Left
3. Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast

How many episodes of Riff Worship are there?

Riff Worship launched 3 years ago and published 141 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Riff Worship?

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What guests have appeared on Riff Worship?

Recent guests on Riff Worship include:

1. Jack McBride
2. Liz Walshak
3. Dan Thomson
4. Michael Mason
5. Sam Richards
6. John Hoffman
7. Matt Graham
8. Christopher Terry

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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