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Artwork for Riff Worship
Heavy Metal Music
Heavy Metal
Metalcore
Death Metal
Converge
Grindcore
Doom Metal
Hardcore Music
Punk Rock
Hardcore Punk
Hardcore
Black Metal
Punk Music
Ghost
Damaged
Godflesh
Botch
Music Production
Pig Destroyer
ISIS

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

This week on Riff Worship, we’re joined by prolific multi-instrumentalist Garry Brents (Sallow Moth) and guitarist Joe Gordon (Mortal Decay) for a deep dive into Mortal Decay’s landmark 2002 sophomore album, Forensic!

Together, we trace Mortal Decay... more

YouTube

This week on Riff Worship, we dive headfirst into one of the 21st century's most visceral extreme music masterpieces: Trap Them’s 2008 sophomore album, Seizures in Barren Praise. Joining us to dissect the record's enduring legacy is Clint Gee, vocali... more

YouTube

This week on Riff Worship, we descend into the slowest, darkest, and heaviest corner of extreme music history to explore the birth of Funeral Doom through Thergothon’s 1994 cult classic, Stream from the Heavens!

Before disbanding in 1993 and leaving... more

YouTube

Discover the chaotic history of metalcore pioneers Deadguy! In this episode of Riff Worship, we chart the band’s volatile journey from their 1993 formation in New Brunswick, NJ, to the creation of their 1995 landmark album, Fixation on a Coworker.

T... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Pat Fagan
Guest co-host or contributor
Riff Worship team member
Episode: #160 - Deadguy - Fixation on a Co-Worker
Matt Michel
Guitarist and vocalist of Majority Rule
Majority Rule
Episode: #156 - Majority Rule - Emergency Numbers
David Stepanavicius
Guest from Atræ Bilis
Atræ Bilis
Episode: #155 - Top 5 Death Metal Albums w/ David Stepanavicius (Atræ Bilis, Fulci Rots)
John Wooten
Photographer and musician, special guest
Wooten Photo
Episode: #153 - Full of Hell - Roots of Earth Are Consuming My Home
Dave Chained
Lead vocalist/guitarist of Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean
Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean
Episode: #152 - Isis - Oceanic w/ Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean
Luke Kenny
Drummer and brainchild behind The Berzerker's early material
The Berzerker
Episode: #148 - The Berzerker w/ Luke Kenny & Sam Bean (The Berzerker)
Sam Bean
Vocalist for The Berzerker during recording sessions
The Berzerker
Episode: #148 - The Berzerker w/ Luke Kenny & Sam Bean (The Berzerker)
Tom Orr
Special guest, artist and creative figure, invited for discussion
Episode: #147 - Andrew W.K. - I Get Wet
Pat Fagen
Host of the podcast Through Being Cool
Through Being Cool
Episode: #144 - Converge - You Fail Me

Hosts

Austin Paulson
Host and key discussion leader; often introduces guests and steers thematic conversations.
Dylan Adams
Co-host providing commentary and critique, often contributing historical or contextual riffs.
Justin Swindle
Host with a focus on critical riffs and episodes; occasionally hosts guests.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 53 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 States7 months 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the deep dive into riff construction and gear conversations.
Guests are well-chosen for credibility and cross-scene context.
Some critics want more audio samples of the riffs discussed to complement analysis.
The show frequently highlights lesser-known but influential bands, broadening discovery for fans.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#156 - Majority Rule - Emergency Numbers
Q: How did the vocal duties evolve on Emergency Numbers?
The band transitioned to a three-piece with Matt and Kevin sharing vocal duties, which, while challenging, ultimately gave the album a distinctive layered vocal texture that matched the evolving heaviness and space in the music.
#156 - Majority Rule - Emergency Numbers
Q: Why did you choose Magic Bullet Records for Emergency Numbers?
We felt a strong alignment with Magic Bullet because they supported the band well and believed in the record, whereas other labels suggested changes we weren't comfortable with; staying with Magic Bullet kept the integrity of the songs and the band's direction.
#147 - Andrew W.K. - I Get Wet
Q: What makes the production and performance on this record so distinctive?
They point to a deliberately wall-of-sound approach, dense layering, and the use of early digital tools that created a thick, immersive texture, making the record feel both massive and singular in its time.
#135 - Earth Crisis - Destroy the Machines w/ Trevor Phipps (Unearth)
Q: What makes a riff? What do you look for in a breakdown?
It's basically just the chug, making it tribal, but if you make it interesting, you know, throw a little bit of off time in there, that's when it gets unique.
#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.

Audience Metrics

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

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Location
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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?

Across episodes, the show centers on dissecting riffs from heavy music, with hosts Austin Paulson, Dylan Adams, and Justin Swindle digging into how iconic riffs were built, their recording and production quirks, and the broader context that shaped the tracks. Frequent threads include technical guitar work, genre-blending influences, production choices, and the cultural footprint of influential records. The format blends personal anecdotes, gear talk, and detailed track analysis, giving listeners a practical lens into riff creation while showcasing a community of like-minded fans and practitioners. Noteworthy traits include a collaborative banter style, a willingness to bring in guests from adjacent scenes, and a steady focus on what makes a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Riff Worship?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Riff Worship:

1. Turned Out A Punk
2. The First Ever Podcast
3. AXE TO GRIND PODCAST
4. HardLore
5. One Life One Chance with Toby Morse

How many episodes of Riff Worship are there?

Riff Worship launched 3 years ago and published 167 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Riff Worship?

Recent guests on Riff Worship include:

1. Pat Fagan
2. Matt Michel
3. David Stepanavicius
4. John Wooten
5. Dave Chained
6. Luke Kenny
7. Sam Bean
8. Tom Orr

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