I was listening to a Spotify-generated power metal playlist recently, and a song by the Italian band Temperance made me do a double take. And by double take, I mean, imagine me snorting my drink out of my nose, making the widest eyes I can make, and saying to myself, “Did that really just happen? Holy shit.”

What was it that caught my attention? Nothing less than the most audaciously prolonged riff turnaround I think I’ve ever heard in my two decades of listening to metal music.

Some of you might ask, what’s a riff turnaround? And what difference does it make if one is long or short?

Some others of you might ask, what were you drinking? Did you really snort it out your nose? Did that hurt? I’m not answering those questions, but I will tell you what a riff turnaround is.

Continue reading