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Metal song structure

Metal songs often have more sections than pop: a riff intro, verses, pre-choruses and choruses, then a breakdown and a solo before the last chorus.

160 BPM · 112 bars · 2:48

Open this song map in the editor

A metal beat across all 112 bars, with a marker at each section, to change part by part. No account needed to start.

The song map

Section by section, at 160 BPM. Every section is in bars of four beats; at 160 BPM, 8 bars is 12 seconds.

The metal song map: each section, its bars and where it starts
SectionBarsStarts
IntroOpens the song and sets its tempo, key and mood.80:00bar 1
Verse 1Tells the story: new words each time over the same music.160:12bar 9
Pre-chorusBuilds from the verse toward the chorus.80:36bar 25
ChorusThe same words each time: the song’s main idea and biggest part.80:48bar 33
Verse 2Tells the story: new words each time over the same music.161:00bar 41
Pre-chorus 2Builds from the verse toward the chorus.81:24bar 57
Chorus 2The same words each time: the song’s main idea and biggest part.81:36bar 65
BreakdownParts drop out, in dance music; a heavy half-time section, in metal.161:48bar 73
SoloOne instrument takes the melody, often a guitar.82:12bar 89
Final chorusThe same words each time: the song’s main idea and biggest part.82:24bar 97
OutroEnds the song, winding it down.82:36bar 105

How metal songs are built

Riffs carry the song: each section is often its own riff, and the intro riff comes back between them. The breakdown slows to half-time with low, chugging guitars, the heaviest part of the song; the solo follows it.

Metal tempos range widely, so the same map can run under three minutes or past five.

The sounds, chords and tempos are on the Metal page.

Questions about metal song structure

How long is a metal song?

This map is 112 bars, 2:48 at 160 BPM; at 120 BPM it is 3:44.

What is a breakdown in metal?

A heavy, half-time section of low, palm-muted guitar in a syncopated rhythm with the kick, usually after the second chorus.

The parts in this map

IntroVersePre-chorusChorusBreakdownOutro

More song maps

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Make a metal song

The free editor opens on this map: a metal beat across 112 bars, a marker at each section. Change any section part by part: mute the drums in the intro, add a melody, each part its own lane.

Open this song mapSong structure

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