Makes you want to play it! Japanese rock with the coolest guitar riffs
For guitarists, the spotlight—the very face of a song—is the guitar riff.
Songs with riffs that symbolize the track really stick in your memory, and many classic hits in the rock scene come hand in hand with amazing riffs!
In this article, we’ve rounded up a bunch of songs with killer guitar riffs.
Just listening to cool riffs is enough to get your blood pumping, but if you’re a guitarist, why not pick up your guitar and try playing along?
There aren’t just single-note phrases—there are riffs built around power chords and octaves too, so try tackling all kinds of riffs from different songs!
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Makes You Want to Play! Japanese Rock with the Coolest Guitar Riffs (71–80)
KICK IT OUTBOOM BOOM SATELLITES
An iconic BOOM BOOM SATELLITES track that sent fans into a frenzy with razor-sharp beats that hit like a strike to the crown of your head and guitar riffs slicing through space—too cool for words.
Many listeners say the ferocious collision of digital and rock gets their adrenaline boiling and keeps them hitting repeat.
With a powerful message that feels like it’s shouting, “Kick down your own limits!” and an aggressive sound that unleashes the impulses you’ve kept inside, this is a truly explosive song.
It’s featured on the classic 2006 album “On,” and it also drew attention as the theme for Ezaki Glico’s commercial.
When you want to get in the ultimate zone or overcome the wall in front of you, this track will give you immeasurable courage.
BOXER’S ROADYamaarashi
A song by Yama-Arashi, a seven-member rock band often cited as a leading act in Japanese mixture rock.
Its sound is addictive, with relentless twin vocals intertwining with thick, downtuned guitar riffs.
While many of the guitar riff patterns themselves aren’t particularly difficult, combining them with the other parts creates a sound that is at times intricate and at times massively heavy.
The unconventional tuning—distinct from most other rock bands—yields unforgettable guitar riffs.
It’s a must-listen for rock fans.
STRONGMIYAVI vs KREVA
A track born from the collaboration between guitarist MIYAVI—who is active worldwide and known as the “Samurai Guitarist”—and rapper KREVA, also famous as a member of KICK THE CAN CREW.
It’s a number where you can fully savor MIYAVI’s signature slap-based guitar riffs.
The distinctive groove, unattainable with typical rock guitar techniques, interweaves seamlessly with KREVA’s rap, enhancing each artist’s presence.
This song conveys a tension different from standard rock numbers and suggests new possibilities for guitar riffs.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced a bunch of songs with killer guitar riffs all at once. If you’re a guitarist, I bet there were plenty of phrases that made you want to pick up your instrument and try them out. Of course, even if you don’t play guitar, those unforgettable riffs instantly get your energy up the moment you hear them! Feel free to enjoy the songs we featured in this article—whether you just listen or try playing them yourself!