Drop B Tuning is a popular alternative tuning setup that has been used widely by guitarists for a long time. It is preferable for guitarists mostly who play heavy music. B, F#, B, E, G#, and C# are the notes for this setup.
The strings might feel very loose when you first try Drop B. But you’ll get used to it. That’s why playing faster riffs and sounding more aggressive is easy. It can be difficult to tune your guitar because you might need strings with a much heavier gauge.
Drop B Tuning suits very well high-gained distortion tones. Due to its harmonic potential, it sounds amazing when you play power chords or groovy metal riffs.
Here are the top 50 famous guitar songs In Drop B Tuning listed for you. Most of the songs in this list are metal and hardcore music, but there are still different genres here that use Drop B Tuning.
Duality – Slipknot
This tune is probably the most famous Slipknot song ever. It was released in 2004 and appeared on the band’s album, Vol.3: (The Subliminal Verses).
Most of the Slipknot songs are composed in Drop B Tuning. The song begins with distorted palm mute picking, then goes into heavier riffs throughout the song.
Before I Forget – Slipknot
The second song is also from Slipknot because they write the most famous songs in Drop B. Before I Forget, released in 2004.
This song is all about pull off’s and hammer on’s. Palm mute technique and an aggressive guitar tone are essential to play this tune.
If you are interested in playing some more songs in a different drop tuning, check out my other article Top 50 Famous & Easy Guitar Songs In Drop C – Tabs Included
Bad Company – Five Finger Death Punch
The same-titled hard rock band originally wrote Bad Company in 1973. Here is an FFDP cover of the song. It was released in 2010.
The song has a main arpeggio riff that is played with a clean tone. There are also heavier riffs combined throughout the song. This tune has a great guitar solo at the end.
The Vengeful One – Disturbed
The Vengeful One was released in 2015 and appeared on the band’s album, Immortalized. The music video of this tune drew much attention after it was published.
The song starts with a drum roll, and the guitars come to the scene accordingly. There is an aggressive chorus and a verse riff and a clean, delayed pre-chorus part.
Blank Space – I Prevail
Taylor Swift originally wrote Blank Space, and this is a cover song from the post-hardcore band I Prevail. The cover version was released in 2014 and became famous, especially on YouTube.
The guitars in this tune are very aggressive and play hardcore metal-style riffs and licks throughout the song. The riffs follow Swift’s original chord progressions, adapted into the post-hardcore genre.
Check out my other drop tuning songs list: Top 50 Famous & Easy Guitar Songs In Drop D – Tabs Included
What You Want – Evanescence
What You Want was released in 2011 and appeared on the band’s self-titled album. The tune is considered industrial rock, nu metal, and gothic pop.
This song is an energetic tune from the band’s other various tunes. It is played with distorted guitars and has a verse riff, a pre-chorus, and a chorus riff. Vocals are in front for this tune.
Moving On – Asking Alexandria
Moving On was released in 2014 and appeared on the band’s album, From Death to Destiny. It is a hard rock power ballad from modern times.
There are 3 guitars in this song. One is playing the rhythm, the other is the lead guitar, and the other is playing arpeggios in certain parts with an acoustic clean guitar tone.
All I Want – A Day To Remember
All I Want was released in 2010 and appeared on the band’s What Separates Me from You album. It is an American-style pop punk rock song.
Aggressive and simple progressions are played throughout the song. There are two guitars, and the lead guitar is playing some melodies and licks along.
If you want to experiment with other alternate tunings, check out my other article Top 40 Famous Guitar Songs In Open D Tuning – Tabs Included
Bulls In The Bronx – Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil is a post-hardcore band from New Jersey. Bulls In The Bronx was released in 2012 and appeared on the band’s Collide with the Sky album.
The song is a great combination of hardcore elements, progressivity, and a classical acoustic part that sounds like a part of this song.
Bulls In The Bronx Guitar Tabs
Pray For Plagues – Bring Me The Horizon
Pray For Plagues was released in 2006 and appeared on the band’s famous album, Count Your Blessings.
Bring Me The Horizon is a melodic deathcore band. And this tune is one of their perfect examples. It consists of many palm mute and fast picking techniques.
Send The Pain Below – Chevelle
Send The Pain Below was released in 2003. It appeared on the band’s album, Wonder What’s Next. This tune peaked at number on various Billboard chart lists.
This song is a soft nu metal, alternative rock tune. The guitars here combine clean arpeggios, distorted riffs, and chord progressions.
Send The Pain Below Guitar Tabs
For more songs in an alternate tuning, check out my other article Top 35 Famous Songs In DADGAD Tuning – Guitar Tabs Included
Whispers In The Dark – Skillet
This tune was released in 2006 and is considered a Christian alternative metal song. It appeared on the band’s album, Comatose.
Whispers In The Dark consists of many melodic licks and aggressive riffs throughout the song. Especially the solo guitar melodies in the bridge part are remarkable.
Whispers In The Dark Guitar Tabs
Pieces – Red
Pieces is again a Christian rock alternative metal band from the United States. Pieces were released in 2006 with their album, End Of Silence.
The song starts with keyboards and then shifts into acoustical guitar-picking patterns. Then goes into playing chord progressions throughout. It is rather a softer song than the other songs on the list.
The Death Of Me – Asking Alexandria
The Death Of Me was released in 2013. It appeared on the band’s album, From Death to Destiny and it represents Asking Alexandria’s musical style very well.
There are two guitars in this song. One plays the aggressive riffs for the intro, verse, chorus, and breakdown, and the other plays melodic sounds and licks throughout the song.
I Knew You Were Trouble – We Came As Romans
This tune was originally a Taylor Swift song. We Came As Romans released a punk-hardcore cover version of the song in 2014.
The distorted guitar here is playing aggressive riffs along the hardcore rhythms. The guitars have an immense tone in this tune that certainly elevates the song.
I Knew You Were Trouble Guitar Tabs
Jenny – Nothing More
Jenny was released in 2015 and became widely popular after. It appeared on the band’s self-titled album the same year.
The song has both clean, delayed guitars and distorted emo core tones. They both play crazy riffs and technical strummings and pickings.
Don’t Stay – Linkin Park
This tune is one of the greatest songs by Linkin Park. It appeared on the band’s legendary album Meteora and was released in 2003.
The whole song has simple repeated riffs with a great distorted tone that fits the band’s style. A rare Linkin Park example that is composed in Drop B.
Smokahontas – Attack Attack!
Attack Attack! is a famous metalcore electronicore band. Their tune Smokahontas was released in 2010 with the band’s self-titled album.
Smokahontas has many electronic and core elements and is played with electric guitar with very aggressive and heavy tones. Core style riffs and melodic licks are played throughout the song.
Bloody Angel – Avatar
Bloody Angel was released in 2014 and appeared on the band’s album, Hail the Apocalypse. This song is a great example of industrial, melodic death metal.
Like the band’s general style Bloody Angel has many circus and freak elements. The guitars are playing the main riff that repeats besides the almost clean verse parts.
Abigail – Motionless In White
Motionless In White is a gothic metal, a metalcore band from Florida. Abigail was released in 2010 and appeared on the band’s album, Creatures.
The tune consists of strumming patterns with the palm mute technique. Aggressive groovy riffs and melodic licks are played throughout the song.
Locust – Machine Head
Locust was released in 2011 by the famous thrash metal, groove metal band Machine Head. It appeared on the band’s album, Unto the Locust.
The song begins with clean, dark arpeggios and then shifts into aggressive thrash metal riffs throughout the song. More melodic riffs come into the scene when the chorus comes.
Only – Nine Inch Nails
Only is a dance-rock, synth pop, new wave revival song by Nine Inch Nails, written by Trent Reznor. The tune was released in 2004 and appeared on the album, With Teeth.
The song goes with a simple bass riff throughout the song. The guitars play simple melodic and ambient licks while the bass riff plays in the background.
Rocket Skates – Deftones
Rocket Skates was released in 2010 and appeared on the band’s Diamond Eyes album. It represents the classic Deftones nu metal style.
The guitars in this song are very heavy and go perfectly with Deftone’s vocal tonality. The main verse riff and a chorus riff are repeated throughout the song.
Bones – Young Guns
Young Guns has been making post-hardcore, alternative rock music since 2008. Bones was released in 2012 and appeared on the band’s same-titled album.
There are two guitars in this tune. One plays the rhythm guitar riffs, and the other plays solos and melodic licks throughout the song.
Carrion – Parkway Drive
Parkway Drive is an early 200s metalcore, deathcore band from the United States. Carrion was released in 2007 and appeared on the band’s album, Horizons.
The song starts with a mildly distorted, clean chord progression and then goes into more aggressive core elements. Besides the intro, the whole song goes with classic core riffs.
The High Road – Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace is a very famous post-grunge alternative rock band. Their song The High Road was released in 2013 and appeared on the band’s album, Transit of Venus.
The song begins with a clean chord progression with a phaser effect. The song then goes into heavier guitar riffs, mostly consisting of simple power chords.
Chasing Ghosts – The Amity Affliction
The Amity Affliction is an early 2010s post-hardcore metalcore band. They released Chasing Ghosts in 2012, and the tune appeared on the band’s same-titled album.
The tune starts very fast and is aggressive in the first second. Different riffs are played for the verse, chorus, and intro.
You Belong With Me – For All Those Sleeping
This song is another hardcore-punk Taylor Swift cover. For All Those Sleeping released this cover version in 2011, and it appeared on the compilation album Punk Goes Pop, Vol 4.
The whole song goes with various tremolo-picking patterns and riffs. The pop roots of the song remind themselves along the way because the hardcore elements shift into pop vibes a couple of times.
You Belong With Me Guitar Tabs
Overcome – Creed
Creed is a post-grunge alternative metal band, and they have been making music since 1994. The 90’s vibes are infused with their unique metal style. Overcome was released in 2009.
This tune is a heavier Creed song compared to their earlier hits. There is a clean guitar verse and more aggressive riffs throughout the song.
What Have You Done – Within Temptation
What Have You Done was released in 2007 and appeared on the band’s The Heart of Everything album. This tune is a great example of Within Temptation’s symphonic metal music.
The song is played with a heavy electric guitar tone and consists of a couple of metal riffs and lots of palm muting.
What Have You Done Guitar Tabs
These Colours Don’t Run – Architects
Architects is a progressive metalcore band from the United Kingdom. These Colours Don’t Run released in 2012 and appeared on the band’s album, Daybreaker.
The tune starts with a tapping riff that is repeated throughout the song. Other riffs are played with fast-picking techniques. It is a Drop B song, except the B is lowered to G# here.
These Colours Don’t Run Guitar Tabs
At The Left Hand Ov God – Behemoth
Behemoth is one of the most controversial extreme metal bands of the last 20 years. At The Left Hand Ov God was released in 2007 and appeared on the band’s album, The Apostasy.
The song consists of 3 guitars. One is the clean intro guitar, and the other ones are played with a very aggressive high-gained tone. Classic black metal riffs are being played with a great technique in this tune.
At The Left Hand Ov God Guitar Tabs
Prison Sex – Tool
Prison Sex is probably one of the most known Tool songs ever. It was released in 1993 and appeared on the band’s great album Undertow.
The tune starts with a delayed intro and then shifts into the song’s main riff. Simple yet brilliant verse and chorus riffs are played throughout the song.
Bury Me In Smoke – Down
Bury Me In Smoke is the last track of Down’s album Nola. It was released in 1995 and became one of the most known albums of the band.
This classic stoner metal track has groovy riffs and an aggressive electric guitar tone in Drop B. It also has a guitar solo with wah and chorus effects and is played in B pentatonic minor.
30/30-150 – Stone Sour
Stone Sour also has a lot of songs in Drop B, as the members are a part of Slipknot. 30/30-150 was released in 2006 and appeared on the band’s second album, Come What(ever) May.
The song has a couple of metal riffs with palm muting, slapping, and tapping throughout the tune. They seem to be easy, but the riffs here require technicality.
Future Starts Slow – The Kills
The Kills is a great band! Future Starts Slow is an indie rock song released in 2011. It appears on the band’s album, Blood Pressures.
The song has a delayed intro that is repeated throughout the song. There are also very simple licks and melodies for the whole song.
Future Starts Slow Guitar Tabs
Hold Back The Day – Devildriver
Hold Back The Day was released in 2005 by the great groove metal band Devildriver. The tune appeared on their studio album, The Fury of Our Maker’s Hand.
The song starts with an arpeggio intro that shifts into fast and aggressive riffs. There is only a couple of grooves that are repeated.
Embedded – Job For A Cowboy
Job For A Cowboy is a very extreme death metal band. Embedded was released in 2007 and appeared on the band’s album, Genesis.
There are two main melodic riffs to play in this song. The song is pretty dark and needs to be played with a heavy, high-gained tone.
Take My Bones Away – Baroness
Baroness is an amazing band from 2003, and they are still crushing it. Take My Bones Away was released in 2012, and I think it is the greatest song they have ever written.
There are very intelligent riffs and licks throughout the song. Both guitars are playing brilliant stuff. This tune has immense musical potential and is worth checking for guitarists.
Take My Bones Away Guitar Tabs
Halo – Machine Head
Halo was released in 2007 and appeared on the band’s album, The Blackening. It was nominated for the best metal performance at Grammys.
The song starts with a clean, phased intro and slowly shifts into more aggressive riffs. One guitar plays mostly the melodies and licks while the other plays the heavy grooves.
Fault Line – August Burns Red
August Burns Red is a Christian metalcore band. Their tune, Fault Line, was released in 2013. It featured on the band’s album Rescue & Restore.
The song starts with an electric guitar melody and then goes into more energetic and aggressive metalcore riffs. There are very crazy and hard techniques here.
White Light – The Ghost Inside
The Ghost Inside is a melodic hardcore metal band from the United States. They have been making crazy music since 2004. They are also known as A Dying Dream. White Light was released in 2012.
The song begins with a mildly distorted clean intro and then shifts into high-gained riffs with fast and various strumming patterns.
Blood Brothers – Oceans Ate Alaska
Blood Brothers was released in 2005 and is considered metal or mathcore track.
This tune is played in 432 Hz while tuned in Drop B. It consists of really fast and technical riffs. You are in the right place if you like to sweep.
Maggie’s Farm – Rage Against The Machine
Maggie’s Farm, an original Bob Dylan song, was later covered by RATM. This version was released in 2000. The song is featured on the band’s cover album Renegades.
The tune has the classic groovy RATM vibe throughout the song. Tom Morello plays an easy solo here with crazy effects.
Outnumbered – The Devil Wears Prada
Outnumbered was released in 2010 b the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada. It appeared on the band’s EP, Zombie.
A lead guitar and a rhythm guitar complement each other in this tune. The song consists of very heavy riffs with expert techniques.
It’s Not Safe To Swim Today – Veil Of Maya
It’s Not Safe To Swim Today was released in 2008 and appeared on the band’s album, The Common Man’s Collapse.
This tune has a quite fast tempo and requires intermediate technicality. Crazy arpeggio licks and melodies are played with sweeping technique in this song.
It’s Not Safe To Swim Today Guitar Tabs
Leave It Alone – Tremonti
Mark Tremonti released this song in 2012. This tune is Tremonti’s solo project, and he is mostly known with the band Creed and Alter Bridge. This thrash metal and post-grunge song appeared on Tremonti’s album, All I Was.
Tremonti has a great amp tone in this one. The song goes with evil riffs and heavy chord progressions on the choruses and verses.
Planets Collide – Crowbar
Planets Collide released in 1998 by the famous sludge metal band Crowbar. It is featured on their album Odd Fellows Rest.
The song has groovy and heavy riffs throughout the song. Listen carefully to differentiate the two guitars because they play various stuff here.
Say Goodbye – I Killed The Prom Queen
I Killed The Prom Queen is a metalcore band that has been releasing music since 2000. Their tune, Say Goodbye, was released in 2006.
The song starts with a classic trash metal riff, which repeats throughout. Only for the chorus and the bridges, the riffs changing.
The Beginning And The End – ISIS
ISIS is one of the earliest post-sludge-metal band’s from the United States. The Beginning And The End was released in 2002 and appeared on ISIS’ album, Oceanic.
There are two guitars in this tune. They both follow a main circular riff like most of the sludge post-metal songs are composed.
The Beginning And The End Guitar Tabs
Conclusion
As you see, so many guitarists and bands, especially the metal music genre, use Drop B Tuning. This setup gave its voice to many bands worldwide, like Slipknot, Bring Me The Horizon, Asking Alexandria, Behemoth, etc., and still is preferable by many.
Drop B Tuning allows you to easily play hard techniques like sweep picking, tapping, and fast alternate picking because the strings are getting looser. It becomes easier to use your pick faster this way.
I hope this list finds you well and is an inspiration for you on your rock guitar journey!
If you found this article useful, you may want to save this pin below to your Guitar board.
Recent Posts
50 Campfire Guitar Songs To Ignite Your Next Singalong - Chords Included
Gathering around a crackling campfire with friends and a guitar is one of life's simpleest pleasures. Picture yourself strumming the chords as everyone belts out the chorus under a starry sky. From...
25 Elton John Songs you Can Play on Guitar - Chords included
Elton John, with his flair for melody and timeless appeal, has written songs that resonate with people across generations. For aspiring guitarists, his catalog offers a treasure trove of classics...