Ye Cove

By epic riff, I mean a riff in a song that just fits in the song so well, it makes the whole song-or, in some cases, pushes the mood of the song to new heights. in some cases, an "epic riff" encompasses the whole band's style or attitude. Opinions on these will vary. What do you think are some "epic riffs?"

Here's a few that I think are "epic riffs":
-The crushing riff at the end of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is unbelievable.
-The slow chorus riff in Spirit Crusher by Death. It hits really hard and adds so much to an amazing song.
-The first riff in Lamb of God's Vigil right after Randy says "our father thy will be done" hits really hard.
-The riff after Dime's solo in Domination. Speaks for itself.
what do you guys think??

-Dimebag's riff on Walk.
-Hole In The Sky is just as legendary (Mr. Iommi of course)

That's all I can think of.

The end riff of War Pigs. Absolutely brilliant.

Bathory - Enter the Eternal Fire [0:40] - I really don't have a reason, other than that it sounds badass.
Burzum - Jesu død [0:30, 1:20] - The riff at thirty seconds is just the perfect interlude for the song... the second one is just a plain out menacing riff.
Emperor - The Loss and Curse of Reverence [3:25] - So damn melodic, nearly brings tears to my eyes; that is, if my manly tear ducts could produce tears, that is.
Children of Bodom - Follow the Reaper [0:40, 1:23]

This.
A lot of stuff by Tony Iommi would qualify for this thread.

I, too, will sing the chorus for Mr. Bottlecap Fingers in the form of the Devil's Third, the prevelent three-note riff from Black Sabbath's namesake. For me this song marks the absolute genesis of the metal song, not just some drunk slurring "In the Garden of Eden" or some critic praising some modest baked good.

I think one of the more classic riffs comes from Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water. From a band that hated being called metal (which I have to agree with. My classification of metal is a little broad, but not that broad), it's a very heavy riff that makes the song.

One of my favourite riffs comes from Led Zeppelin's Kashmir. Now I know that the Zep isn't held in the highest opinion around these parts, but I'll defend 'em hell or high water. To me this is one of Zeppelin's truly metal riffs, very simple but resonating and deep, backed by the marching drumwork of John Bonham.

Then there's the riff from RATM's Bulls on Parade. This one is mostly self explainitory, considering the whole of the song just sort of buds from the initaial blow of the opening riff.

I could go on, but I fear that I've started to ramble. Something to expect from me, I fear.

Edit: Eddie Van Halen. Eruption. Who cares if it's hair metal, that shit hits you in the chest.

Wintersun - the whole album

All of This.

I tried not to go too into Sabbath though, because then I would have put like 90% of Tony's riffs haha.

Pantera - Mouth For War [Intro]
Candlemass - Solitude [Whole fucking song]

Will add more when I think of them.

Not sure if any of you would agree, but Hell & High Water by Black Stone Cherry. Opening-:20, 2:30-3:05

Meshuggah - 'In Death Is Life' (the intro riff)
Just about anything by Nevermore.
Nile - 'Burning Pits Of the Duat' (the ridiculous fills @ 0:12 - 0:16 and 0:19 - 0:23)
Nile - 'What Can Safetly Be Written' - intro

Main riff to Painkiller.

I like all of these that have been listed-in their own ways they are epic. anyone got any others?

Another one just came to me mind.

The second riff in Down's Bury Me In Smoke.

Children of Bodom - Smile Pretty For The Devil. 0:40-0:50
Black Sabbath - Electric Funeral. 2:17-2:50
Napalm Death - Well All Is Said And Done. 0:00-0:26

Megadeth - The Conjuring 2.56 - 3.30
after that the lyrics come in and it starts varying a little but I love that riff